Other than my Apple IIs and vintage Macs, one of my passions is the Atari 8 bit line of computers. I know quiet a bit about them, so If I can help anyone, I'll gladly do it!
Atari 8 bits
- Thread starter Alex
- Start date
A friend of mine gifted me an Atari 130XE over New Year's. I've ordered a power supply and composite cable for it and I'm really excited to play around with it. I've never used an Atari computer before and I have almost no experience with 8-bit micros, so this will be a whole new world for me.
Always wanted an XE - i borrowed a 65XE when i was in school (it was already outdated then, in 1996), but it had a certain charm to it - i definitely dig the ST styling makeover they gave it.
I have a 130XE, but to be honest, I think the look and feel of the keyboard is much better in the 800XL
The 130's keyboard really feels terrible, possibly the worst keyboard I own. Unfortunately it still works perfectly so I can't justify making a mechanical replacement 
I finally got the composite cable for mine yesterday and started out typing out a few simple BASIC games from here: https://www.vitoco.cl/atari/10liner/
I've never used BASIC before and it seemed a lot more cryptic than I expected, but I was still impressed with what could be made with such short code. It was pretty fun.
I'm definitely going to buy or build an SDrive-MAX drive emulator though so I can really see what this computer can do.
Mine also has a switch that was hacked into the side. When it's flipped one way it boots into BASIC, but when flipped the other with it boots into "David Young OmniView XE" which was apparently an aftermarket 80 column mod & OS. So that's kinda cool. I was told that the original owner used to run an Atari warez BBS, so they probably used their terminal program in that mode.
I finally got the composite cable for mine yesterday and started out typing out a few simple BASIC games from here: https://www.vitoco.cl/atari/10liner/
I've never used BASIC before and it seemed a lot more cryptic than I expected, but I was still impressed with what could be made with such short code. It was pretty fun.
I'm definitely going to buy or build an SDrive-MAX drive emulator though so I can really see what this computer can do.
Mine also has a switch that was hacked into the side. When it's flipped one way it boots into BASIC, but when flipped the other with it boots into "David Young OmniView XE" which was apparently an aftermarket 80 column mod & OS. So that's kinda cool. I was told that the original owner used to run an Atari warez BBS, so they probably used their terminal program in that mode.
I wonder if the keycaps would fit on a modern switch, then it would be relatively easy (loosely speaking) to design a better keyboard PCB for more of a tactile feel.
Someone has already done so, they've designed a PCB that will accept modern mechanical switches, and designed modified stems for Kailh BOX switches that the keycaps will fit on to. It would be quite the luxury, but I'm willing to suffer with the membrane for now.
I have my original 400 from 1980. Back then, went to a 600XL, then an 800XL (with the rambo upgrade), then jumped to the ST. Always wanted an 800, so over the years, I've collected an 800 and XE Game System, and picked up an Indus GT like I had back with the 800XL. Didn't bother looking for another 410... lol
Howdy!
I have an Atari 800XL, an AtariMax MyIDE ][ Cartridge, and know NOTHING about Atari, other than turn it on to load games.
I want to add Prince of Persia game to the MyIDE CF card, but the info online only tell you how to format, which is pretty obscure.
Anyone with experience using My IDE ][? Would love to be able to play POP!!!
I have an Atari 800XL, an AtariMax MyIDE ][ Cartridge, and know NOTHING about Atari, other than turn it on to load games.
I want to add Prince of Persia game to the MyIDE CF card, but the info online only tell you how to format, which is pretty obscure.
Anyone with experience using My IDE ][? Would love to be able to play POP!!!