Atari 400...worth it?

[liquidcross]

I've been thinking of picking up an old Atari computer system...are the 400s worth it, or should I skip straight to the 800s? Also, do I need a special monitor or adapter for them? I know nothing about these old systems.

[kevin242]

The 400 is a nice machine. It certainly is unique with its flat membrane

"peanut butter proof" keyboard. As long as it has enough memory

(the original 400's came with 8k then 16k, you will want one with 48k)

it should run 95% of 8bit software. One thing to consider is the 400

does not have a monitor jack, you need to plug it in via a rf cable/atari

switchbox.

 

 

 

 

kvn

[Nukey Shay]

Due to the limited memory size and the lack of A/V monitor link, I'd just go for an 800. That flat keyboard is going to get on your nerves eventually anyway, and the 800's keyboard is one of the best that Atari produced (second only to the 1200XL's).

[bjk7382]

My first game system when I was a kid was an atari 400 so I have a little sentiment for them, but if you want to do any typing or run large programs, get an 800 or 800xl. I still have the 400 in the box. But, I have since upgraded to the 800xl which runs everything I need it to.

[+davidcalgary29]

That flat keyboard is going to get on your nerves eventually anyway

 

Yeah, but it sure beats getting a McDonald's cash register if you have a membrane fetish!

[Nukey Shay]

Geez...I can't count the number of type-in's that I did on that little machine. Isn't it wierd that that there was no such thing as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome back in the 80's??

 

What's up with that? :?

[kevin242]

my 1979 vintage 400 has 48k was upgraded to GTIA graphics and

features a B-KEY keyboard. It is basically a 800 minus the monitor

port and second cartridge slot. If I could install a monitor port for it, it

would be complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

kvn

[The Eidolon]

The difference in price between a 400 and an 800 is pretty small, and

(in my opinion) the 800 has a much better keyboard. If you want

to run all the older games, I recommend an 800. If you want the

newer 64K games, you might look at the XL/XE series. The 800 has

4 joystick ports, which is a nice plus, but I don't know of any games

except MULE which use all 4...

 

--The Eidolon

[kevin242]

The 800 has  

4 joystick ports, which is a nice plus, but I don't know of any games  

except MULE which use all 4...

 

--The Eidolon

 

yea I forgot the 400/800 had the 4 ports... well Asteroids used all 4, you

can actually play with four people at once.. and doesn't breakout let you

use up to 8 players?

 

 

 

 

 

kvn

[Nukey Shay]

Then again, there are not many games that were exclusive to the XL/XE series. So it would probably be better to obtain a regular 800 (which was built like a tank and you won't need to mess with a Translator disk for the older titles). And you'll have the extra 2 ports as well, so you'll have a few more party games. There was an 8-paddle foozeball game someplace...

[tyranthraxus]

The 400 is not worth it unless you are collector or have nostalgic

memories of using one. I vote for the 800XL, its smaller (so shipping

on ebay will be a little cheaper) and I prefer its design. But either the

800 or 800XL will be a fine decision.

[liquidcross]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys...if I get an Atari computer, I think I'll go with the 800-series.

[ZylonBane]

The best use of a 400 is as game console for any of the pre-XEGS carts. Definitely the most abuse-proof computer Atari put out.

[SteveW]

This occured to me while driving home from work tonight. An SUV was in front of me, with about five of those stupid LCD tv screens playing, just so the driver can show off his financial ignorance and general all-around shallowness. Anyway, it gave me an idea. I'd like to get one of those screens, facing the driver's seat. I had my car stereo stolen years ago, and i've never bothered replacing it, so I have a big empty spot in my car's console where the radio used to be. I was thinking that I could put in an Atari 400 into that spot. I'd run the video out to the LCD screen, and the audio through the car speakers. I could put the cartridge port on the front panel of the compartment cover, along with joystick ports. Here's where the membrane keyboard comes in handy. I could mount it on a plate or frame, put a spring loaded retractable cable on it so I could type away and then store the keyboard in a slot or rack under the dashboard.

 

It's kind of a pipe dream, but what do you think? Is it doable?