newbie question - how different are the 8-bit computers?

[Tangentg]

When I search about the games online every site seems to lump the 8 bit computers together stating they are "similar enough". So what exactly are the differences between the Atari 8-bit computers?

[+kheller2]

That's a broad question and can easily range from "just about nothing" to "the 800XL uses at least six different keyboard versions" to specific RAM chips and plastic mold part numbers.

 

In general:

The computers range in RAM from 16K to 128K stock.

The 400/800 and some may say the 1200XL share a similar OS

The other XL's and XE's share a similar OS that is compatible with the previous.

 

There are a handful of programs that will only run on the old OS version, but there are easy ways to make the newer hardware run the older OS and boot said programs. (These are known as translator disks, or using a REV-B os vs XL-OS)

 

Very few programs required 128K, let alone 64K.

 

More details can be found in the Atari 8bit FAQ.

[zzip]

When I search about the games online every site seems to lump the 8 bit computers together stating they are "similar enough". So what exactly are the differences between the Atari 8-bit computers?

 

Styling, build quality, RAM.

800 - built solid, has a nice keyboard, was very expensive limited to 48K. 400 cheaper but membrane keyboard and only 16K. Both had 4 joystick ports. 800 had 2 cart slots.

1200XL - the first XL model styling, first with 64K. Had the most compatibility problems and considered a failure.

600/800XL - 16K and 64K respectively. The XL models had full keyboards, but were not as nice as the 800's, these were built much cheaper to presumably compete with Commodore which was engaging in a price war at the time. All the XL models have distinctive dark+light styling with square silver function keys. Some compatibility issues, but many could be resolved with a "translator" disk for the 800XL (loads the old 400/800 OS essentially)

65/130XE - 64K and 128K respectively - these matched the styling of the Atari ST- entirely light grey. with slanted function keys. They also felt even more cheaply made than the XL series,

 

Other models:

1400XL/1450XLD - shown In catalogs, but never released I don't think. 1400XL looked like a 1200XL, 64K with a built in speech synthesizer. 1450XLD was a 1400XL with a built in floppy drive.

1850XLD - This was intended to used the Amiga chipset that later went to Commodore

800XE - This was released in parts of Europe. I believe it's similar to a 65XE, but I don't know much about it.

[+davidcalgary29]

Keyboards: 800>XL>XE>XEGS>400. XEGS positioning may move up with aftermarket mods.

 

XLF/XE/XEGS has the FREDDIE chip.

 

800XE: PAL only, and I believe that at least one run suffered from buggy GTIAs.

 

400/800: May have been sold with either GTIA or CTIA. GTIA was slightly different for different models, but this mainly affects those few games that rely on artifacting for high-res colour (such as Tower Toppler).

 

A very few games coded for the 400/800 can't be played on later models. Most games so afflicted have now been patched.

 

None of the 'other' models mentioned above, with the exception of the 800XE, were given commercial releases. A few 1450XLs are known to exist. The 1400XL is a very rare prototype. I'm not sure how many 800XLFs were sold as such in Europe. And the 65XEM is, as far as I know, totally MIA.

Atari also demoed the 65XEP -- that portable thingy that looked like the C64 portable -- but I'm not sure if it was just a mockup.

[Tangentg]

Thanks, everyone.

[Bryan]

The short answer is that they're all very compatible as long as you get one with enough RAM for what you want to run. 800XL and all XE models will be the most compatible with everything out there. Other than that, the main differences have to do with how you can expand them.

 

400/800: May have been sold with either GTIA or CTIA. GTIA was slightly different for different models, but this mainly affects those few games that rely on artifacting for high-res colour (such as Tower Toppler).

 

I just want to clarify this statement. GTIAs are all supposed to be the same (except for maybe that defective batch shipped in some XE's). The artifact color differences come from the differences in the video circuits on the board (predominantly, the amount of delay present in the chroma circuit).

[+toddtmw]

If you are looking to buy one, it seems the cheapest out there is the 600XL. Those only came with 16KB of RAM, but some of them, it looks like the RAM was socketed, so they could be upgraded (If you can find the right chips and aren't afraid to do a little soldering.

 

The best main-stream (off the shelf) model to look for (in my opinion) is the 130XE. The 128KB of RAM that it came with would allow it to do more.

 

The sweet spot from a price/capability standpoint (again, my opinion) is the 65XE. 64K was pretty much the max most games were held to and it seems like they are usually a little cheaper than the 800XL and 1200XL machines.

[+kheller2]

Remember, NTSC 65XEs do not have composite or svid output, only RF. This discussion has me feeling as if I should build a grid chart of all the 8bits and their features.

 

If you are in NA, I feel the 800XL is the best to start with. If you can solder (for upgrades) and want to the smallest unit possible I would say the 600XL is the way to go. The again, if you find a working 130XE for less than an 800XL you should buy it.

[Bryan]

I don't think that's true... Some don't have the ECI, though.

[leech]

One thing I found out recently, is that not even all of the same model have the same innards. Best Electronics sells an upgraded mylar keyboard for the 130XEs that came with a crappy one that tends to die more. I lucked out and found a 130XE at the DI (for those not from Utah and the surrounding States... the Deseret Industries is a place that people donate things to and they resell them for cheap) many years ago for like 10 bucks (along with a bunch of other 8bit stuff) that has that keyboard already.

 

Apparently some of the 130XEs have mushier keyboards that are more similar to a 1040 ST.

[+Stephen]

One thing I found out recently, is that not even all of the same model have the same innards. Best Electronics sells an upgraded mylar keyboard for the 130XEs that came with a crappy one that tends to die more. I lucked out and found a 130XE at the DI (for those not from Utah and the surrounding States... the Deseret Industries is a place that people donate things to and they resell them for cheap) many years ago for like 10 bucks (along with a bunch of other 8bit stuff) that has that keyboard already.

 

Apparently some of the 130XEs have mushier keyboards that are more similar to a 1040 ST.

For the above issue, the Best Electronics stiff silicone cups do wonders. I installed that mod on both of my 130XEs and my 1040ST. I prefer that keyboard to my 1200XL, and 800. I'm a lifelong mechanical PC keyboard user, who grew up using mechanical typewriters too.

[gozar]

Remember, NTSC 65XEs do not have composite or svid output, only RF. This discussion has me feeling as if I should build a grid chart of all the 8bits and their features.

 

If you are in NA, I feel the 800XL is the best to start with. If you can solder (for upgrades) and want to the smallest unit possible I would say the 600XL is the way to go. The again, if you find a working 130XE for less than an 800XL you should buy it.

 

 

It's the 600XL that only has RF. The 65XE has composite/svideo. It doesn't have the ECI.

 

The 800XL is probably the best one to get. Pretty abundant, and you may get lucky and all the chips will be socketed.

[leech]

For the above issue, the Best Electronics stiff silicone cups do wonders. I installed that mod on both of my 130XEs and my 1040ST. I prefer that keyboard to my 1200XL, and 800. I'm a lifelong mechanical PC keyboard user, who grew up using mechanical typewriters too.

Agreed, I bought them for both my Falcon and my 1040STe, I use Roccat Ryos MK keyboards on my more modern systems. No more mushy keyboards for me.

[+kheller2]

I don't think that's true... Some don't have the ECI, though.

Doh! That's right. I was thinking of the 600XL. Long day. -1 for me.

[+toddtmw]

I must've had the 130xe with the bad keyboard. When I went from 800 to 130XE I was like: WTH? I bought those little keyboard cups, but I think only for my ST, not my 130XE. (I really didn't end up keeping my 130XE that long because I went to 1040ST.)

[AlecRob]

My current setup is a mexican market 65XE with SIO2PC and Atarimax cartridge. I use composite video as it has less video quirks than S-Video (s video is almost TOO good at times, it reveals all the video quirks that my system has, like vertical lines etc.)