Just got an 800Xl...

[joeybastard]

I'm looking to get me an 8 bit computer as well, my dilemma it's: commodore 64 or atari 800XL... what do u guys recommend?

 

I have both C64s are all over the place in auctions, garage sales etc. and usually pretty cheap.

 

I was lucky with this 800Xl, a friend gave it to me for free

[deathtrappomegranate]

I'm looking to get me an 8 bit computer as well, my dilemma it's: commodore 64 or atari 800XL... what do u guys recommend?

 

You're kidding, right?

 

[Shannon]

I'm going to pick up that Sio2PC thing with Xmas dough.  After waiting 20 minutes for the datarecorder to load a game only to have a load error at the end, I'll be more than happy top hack the cable off of it for the Sio2PC.

 

Boy, that brings back an unhealthy dose of nostalgia..

[Shannon]

For the atari age store just go here.....

 

http://www.atariage.com/store/product_info...products_id=107

 

All you need is an SIO cable which should not be too hard to get. Someone here may even have an extra one laying around for ya.

[SmileyDude]

according to the review on that page, it says that it doesn't support 1050<->PC connections. So far, that's been what I've used my cable for the most. Makes it very easy to make ATR images of a huge box of floppies that I've been moving around with me for the past 15 years.

 

So, can anyone else confirm if the AtariAge board supports 1050<->PC connections? I would hate to convince anyone else to buy/not to buy based on a single review.

[Bryan]

PC->8-bit Atari

 

and

 

PC->1050

 

are indeed 2 separate cables. Basically, it's like the old null-modem issue (to connect a PC to a modem requires a different cable than to connect 2 PCs)

 

Classics (atarimax.com) has designed a combined cable, however.

 

-Bry

[SmileyDude]

Classics (atarimax.com) has designed a combined cable, however.

 

Yeah -- that's what I have. I would highly recommend that cable if you have an actual drive. Otherwise, go for the PC->Atari cable instead.

[Brad2600]

I'm looking to get me an 8 bit computer as well, my dilemma it's: commodore 64 or atari 800XL... what do u guys recommend?

 

Get both!

 

No seriously, you will not regret it!

 

However, if you really like Atari stuff better, get the 800XL or any 8 bit computer by Atari.

 

C64 is not bad. I do like the C64 version of Gyruss though.

[zenassem]

@joeybastard,

 

I also purchase an sio2pc cable from ebay $15.00 (not sure if that's a good price, but it was worth it to me) that has everything neatly done inside the cable. One end looks like a normal atari sio (although not alll the pin contacts are used), and the othe end is neatly terminated with a com port housing.

 

I haven't bothered to take it apart to see how it is done, or if a chip is inside the housing; but it does work quite well. The seller always has the listing on EBAY, and makes them to order. I believe it has a "Buy Now" option rather than bidding. If your interested in purchasing it this way, I can look up the seller so that you can be sure you get a working, good quality, cable.

 

~zen

~zen

[joeybastard]

OK another dopey question....

 

While shopping for carts for my new 800XL, I came across carts that said "Left Cartidge". I know the earlier models had right and left but does this matter to my 800XL?

[+Mitch]

OK another dopey question....

 

While shopping for carts for my new 800XL, I came across carts that said "Left Cartidge".  I know the earlier models had right and left but does this matter to my 800XL?

 

800XL and all the rest of the non 400/800 machines are left slot only. They got rid of the right slot. The left slot cartridges were just ones released in the 400/800 era. They should play just fine in your 800XL.

 

Mitch

[Brad2600]

Thanks for answering that question.

 

I had been wondering about that too.