The Atari 800XL, together with the 600XL, were successors of the Atari 400/800 series and the unsuccessful Atari 1200 XL in a more compact case. They could use almost the same software, just so long as the program was written correctly, because of some slight differences between OS versions.
The 800XL had 64 KB of RAM, two joystick ports and kept all the custom chips (Pokey, GTIA, Antic) of the previous models. It also featured the new Parallel Bus Interface (PBI) providing high speed access to the system bus. The new version of the graphic Antic chip offered 16 graphics modes instead of 12 for the 800.
An enhanced version, called 800XLF, appeared in summer 1984. It was equipped with the new "Freddie" chip which allowed faster memory management, especially for graphics display. This version was released in Europe with SECAM
video interface.
Alongside the Commodore 64 and the Apple II, the 600 and 800XL were among the most popular home computers.
They would be replaced in 1985 with the XE series when Atari launched the ST.
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Martin Scott Goldberg says :
Regarding the comment "and can use the same software just so long as the program was written correctly", a translator disk was provided with the 1050 disk drive (the drive released with the XL series) that allowed the 600/800xl to run all older software. What it basicly did was load the original 400/800 OS over the XL one in memory.
Why do you C64 fanboys always have to junk Atari on Atari forums? There are many undocumented features of the Atari, and a host of other computers, that have been exploited to enhance graphics and sound. This sort of discovery is not unique to the C64. Take a look at YouTube for demos using HIP, TIP ans RIP software driven graphics modes.
Friday 23rd April 2010
R6502A (London, England)
Atari 600/800XL had faster CPU, and initially (at technical level) better graphics. But the problem with Atari was that a lot of advanced functions on their graphic hardware was undocumented$ Only some companies had that information for use in gaming software. On the other way all the Commodore hardware was excellently documented and totally available to all people. So anyone programmer or company had all the inforamtion for the Commodore but not for the Atari.
Other fact was that Commodore was much cheaper and it sold very well: much more machines means much more games/Software.
Finally, over time people discovered bugs in the VIC chip wich allowed to do things that even weren''t considered while designing the chip. Some were incredible effects.
As a programmer (amateur or not) a would prefer C64 over Atari, becasuse I had all the information, and more things were discovered later (outside chip specifications).
As a gamer: it is clear wich machine has much better game libray.
Of course I like Atari 800XL very much, an it is the Amiga precursor, but if I had to chooes a machine over the two I''d go with a C64 (or a C128).
Sunday 28th March 2010
David2200
Due to losing my job at the end of the year I have come to terms that I must sell off my Atari 800XL ENTIRE collection. It is now available on eBay. Feel free to e-mail me if you need additional photos of the games, etc. Thanks so much for being nice and sending this along to anyone who may have an interest. Item $160391970886 - Collectable Atari 800XL Home Computer w all accessories http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem$item$160391970886
Sunday 3rd January 2010
Sign Of Rain (PA USA)
NAME
600 / 800 XL
MANUFACTURER
Atari
TYPE
Home Computer
ORIGIN
U.S.A.
YEAR
1982
END OF PRODUCTION
January 85
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
Atari Basic
KEYBOARD
Mechanical keyboard
CPU
MOS 6502C
SPEED
1.79 (NTSC) / 1.77 (PAL) MHz
CO-PROCESSOR
GTIA (video), POKEY (sound, I/O), ANTIC (video)
RAM
16 KB (600 XL up to 64 KB) / 64 KB (800 XL, expandable to 128 KB)
ROM
24 KB
TEXT MODES
five text modes, max: 40 x 24, min: 20 x 12
GRAPHIC MODES
16 graphic modes, maximum : 320 x 192
COLORS
256 (16 colors with 16 intensities)
SOUND
4 voices, 3.5 octaves
I/O PORTS
Composite video output, cartridge slot, peripheral port (SIO), parallel bus, 2 joystick plugs
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(december 84)
