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    Atari 800
     
    Atari 800 photo Prior to production, the 800 was known inside Atari as code name "Colleen." It is rumored that Colleen and Candy (the Atari 400 code name) were actually secretaries at Atari.

    Model Atari 800
    Processor MOS Technology 6502 1.79MHz (NTSC)
    1.77MHz (PAL)
    Custom LSI Chips ANTIC Microprocessor dedicated to the television display. It retieves the diplay list and display data from RAM using direct memory access (DMA). It processes the higher level instructions in the display list and translates these instructions into a real-time stream of simple instructions to GTIA.
    GTIA (CTIA in very early models) A television interface chip. Converts the digital commands from ANTIC (or the 6502 directly) into the signal that goes to the television. GTIA also adds color values, player-missle graphics, and collision detection.
    POKEY Digital I/O chip. Handles the serial I/O bus, audio generation, keyboard scan, and random number generation. Also digitizes the resistive paddle inputs and controls maskable interrupt (IRQ) requests from peripherals.
    PIA (not sure)
    Memory 8K / 48K RAM
    10K ROM
    The very first Atari 800 Computers shipped with 8 or 16K memory, expandable to 48K. After initial release, the 800 came standard with 48K memory.
    Operating System 400/800 OS (In ROM)
    Interfaces (2) Cartridge Slots 8K address space
    (4) Joystick (serial) Ports 9-pin D-Type
    Atari Serial I/O (SIO)
    RF Interface
    RGB Interface
    Sound 4 channels 3.5 octaves each channel
    Keyboard 62 keys Full Stroke (typewriter-style)
    Function Keys Reset, Option, Select, Start
    Announced 1979 Exact date unknown
    Released 1979 Exact date unknown

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