Single Page

Top Document: Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions
Previous Document: 0.1) Table of contents
Next Document: 1.2) What can I do with an 8-bit Atari?

1.1) What is an Atari 8-bit computer?

400   800   1200XL   600XL   800XL   65XE   130XE   800XE   XE Game System

Here is a very condensed history of Atari, centered around their 8-bit
computers.

1972
Atari Inc. is formed by Nolan Bushnell, incorporated on Tuesday, June 27.
Atari created the first coin-operated arcade video game with the introduction
of Pong. The video game industry was launched and has shaped pop culture ever
since.

1976
Warner Communications acquires Atari Inc.

1977
Atari launches the Video Computer System (VCS), giving birth to home
video game systems.

1978
In December, Atari announces the Atari 400 and 800 personal computers, using
the 6502 microprocessor. The Atari 800 was code-named "Colleen"; the 400,
"Candy."

The following are most of the team who originally designed the 400/800.
   Credit for providing this information for the FAQ goes to:
   Doug Neubauer (by way of James Finnegan, mailto:finneganj@delphi.com )
   Jerry Jessop, mailto:jjessop@ix3.ix.netcom.com
   Scott Emmons, mailto:scotte@center.uscs.com

VLSI HARDWARE:
Jay Miner - Creator and System architect, VSLI manager
Steve Mayer - Also one of the creators - Partner in "Cyan Engineering"
Lawrence D. Emmons - Also one of the creators - Partner in "Cyan Engineering"
Joe Decuir - ANTIC and system and creator
???A French guy - ANTIC logic designer
George McLeod - CTIA and GTIA logic design
Doug Neubauer - POKEY logic design
Mark Shieu - POKEY chip design
Steve Stone - POKEY layout design
Steve Smith - Technician for ANTIC and GTIA
Delwin Pearson - Technician for POKEY

OS PROGRAMMERS:
Larry Kaplan
David Crane
Bob Whitehead
Al Miller

1979
The Atari 400 and Atari 800 Home Computers debut at the Winter Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) in early January.

Jerry Jessop, mailto:jjessop1@home.com writes:
  "The first official small shipment of the 400/800 was on August 29th 1979.
  These were hand built pilot run units to Sears that needed to be in stock by
  Sept. 1 so they could be placed in the big fall catalog. The units were
  placed in the Sears warehouse and then immediatly returned to Atari after
  the "in stock" requirment had been meet.

  The first "real" consumer units were shipped in Nov. of 79 and were 400's to
  Sears followed very shortly by 800's."

These MOS Technology 6502-based systems run at a clock speed of 1.79 MHz,
offering 128 colors displayable simultaneously, up to 320x192 graphics
resolution and up to 40x24 text resolution in 8 graphics modes and 6 text
modes.  Video may be displayed either on a composite video monitor in the case
of the 800, or on a standard television for both systems.  4 independent sound
voices are available through the audio output of the television or monitor,
each with a 3 1/2 octave range, plus there is a built-in speaker for key-click
and other programmable sounds.  The 800 has a second cartridge port and a
full-stroke keyboard, while the 400 has a single cartridge port and a membrane
keyboard.  Each has 4 serial controller ports and an Atari Serial Input/Output
port.  Originally, both the 400 and 800 were sold with 8K RAM, but later most
800's were sold with 48K and 400's with 16K.  Each includes the 10K Atari
Operating System in ROM.

1981
November: 400/800's begin shipping with the new GTIA chip in place of CTIA,
increasing the palette of simultaneously displayable colors to 256 and adding
3 new graphics modes.  CTIA is totally phased out by the end of the year.

Jerry Jessop, mailto:jjessop1@home.com adds:
  "The very first proto systems did have the GTIA, but it had some
  problems and was not released in the consumer version until 1981. The
  GTIA was completed before the CTIA."

1982
The introduction of the 1200XL in late 1982 marks the single largest advance
in the 8-bit Atari system.  The 1200XL runs most software and hardware
designed for the 800 and 400, but now runs a slightly more advanced 6502C
microprocessor, and includes a full 64K RAM.  The single cartridge and monitor
ports remain, along with 2 controller ports.  In addition, the 1200XL includes
4 programmable Function keys and a Help key, built-in diagnostic and graphics
demonstration programs, and probably the favorite keyboard of any 8-bit Atari
computer.  Clicks previously outputted through the built-in speaker are now
heard from the television or monitor's speaker.  The revised 16K Operating
System offers many new features, including an alternate International
Character Set.

1983
In 1983 Atari replaced the 1200XL/800/400 line-up with the new 800XL and
600XL.  These new machines include most of the features of the 1200XL minus
the Function keys and the demo program.  But now both the 800XL and 600XL
have the Atari BASIC language built-in.  In addition, these two systems
offer the Parallel Bus Interface (PBI), providing direct memory access to the
heart of the computer.  The 800XL contains 64K RAM while the 600XL has 16K RAM.

1984
Warner Communications sells Consumer Electronics and Home Computer
divisions of Atari Inc. to Tramiel Technologies on Monday, July 2.

Atari Corporation is formed by Tramiel Technologies and its products marketed
under the Atari brand.

   (Atari Games Corporation is also formed from the former coin-op
   division and markets coin-op games under the Atari Games brand.

   Today Atari Games is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the
   Midway Games division of WMS Industries.

   WMS Industries Inc.
   3401 N California Ave
   Chicago IL 60618-5899
   USA
   http://www.wms.com/

   Midway Games Inc. (a division of WMS)
   http://www.midway.com/

   Atari Games Corporation (a subsidiary of Midway Games)
   http://www.atarigames.com/ )

1985
The new Atari Corp. delivered on its promise to advance the 8-bit Atari system
by replacing the 800XL/600XL with the new 130XE and 65XE in 1985. The 65XE is
nearly identical to the 800XL in features, minus the PBI. The 130XE, however,
offers 128K RAM, plus the FREDDY chip, supporting the unique (but rarely used)
ability for the 6502C and the ANTIC to independently access RAM banks.  In
addition, the 130XE replaces the PBI port with the Enhanced Cartridge
Interface (ECI), continuing the powerful feature of direct memory access.

1987
In a change of marketing strategy, Atari introduced the new XE Game System
in 1987.  Despite its label, the XEGS is a true 8-bit Atari computer system.
It offers the convenience of a detachable keyboard and built-in Missile
Command game, while offering 64K RAM and full compatibility with the 65XE.

The 800XE, a 130XE with just 64K, was released at some point in eastern
Europe.  [WHEN???]

1992
Atari officially dropped all remaining support of their 8-bit computer line on
January 1, 1992.

1996
On July 31, 1996, Atari Corp. became a JTS Corp. subsidiary.
    JTS Corporation, with headquarters in San Jose, Calif., was founded in
1994 to design, manufacture and supply enhanced-capacity hard disk drives for
the notebook and desktop personal computer market.  JTS offers an innovative
line of ultra-slim 3.0-inch disk drives that provide higher capacity and lower
cost per megabyte than competitive alternatives in the portable computer
market.  The president and chief executive officer of JTS, Tom Mitchell, was
formerly the president and chief operating officer of Conner Peripherals and
co-founder, president and chief operating officer of Seagate Technology.

JTS Corporation
166 Baypointe Pkwy
San Jose CA 95134-1621
USA
Phone: 408-468-1800
Fax: 408-468-1619
mailto:info@jtscorp.com
http://www.jtscorp.com/

Atari Corporation (a JTS subsidiary)
http://www.atari.com/