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Notes |
Manufacturer |
Atari (US) |
Model |
800 |
Date Launched |
January 1979 |
Price |
Approx £700 |
Microprocessor type |
MOSTEK 6502B @ 1.8 MHz |
ROM size |
10 kilobytes |
Standard RAM |
16 kilobytes originally |
Maximum RAM |
48 kilobytes |
Keyboard type |
Typewriter style |
Supplied language |
Atari BASIC |
Text resolution |
40 x 24 characters |
Graphics resolution |
160 x 96 pixels in full colour |
Colours available |
16 colours each at 16 brightness levels. |
Example Screenshot |
|
Sound |
3 channels through internal speaker |
Cassette load speed |
1200 baud |
Dimensions (mm) |
406 x 317 x 114 |
Special features |
Had a custom designed graphics chip and four internal expansion slots. |
Good points |
Ports for two ROM cartridges, joysticks, paddles and a light pen. |
Bad points |
Quite expensive to manufacture (it contained 7 PCBs.) This made it difficult for Atari to cut the price as home computers became cheaper. |
How successful? |
The Atari 800 sold very well, including as a 'business' machine. |
Comments |
Atari had introduced video games machines so they had the expertise to give the 800 superb sound and display facilities. |
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