In recent months Commodore has slashed the prices on their VIC-20 and 64 computers. The Texas Instruments 99/4A price tag reads like a novice's score on Donkey Kong. As one of the editors of A.N.A.L.O.G., it's amazing how much worry I sense from most ATARI (and even non-ATARI) owners. What is ATARI going to do?
Well, for starters, 4 (four!) new computers have been announced: the 600XL, 800XL, 1400XL, and the 1450XLD. These represent ATARI's new main line of CPUs. All resemble the modern styling set forth by the 1200XL, all units have serial and proccssor-bus interfaces on the back, and all are still 8-bit machines.
The 600XL is scheduled to retail below $200 and is shipped with 16K of RAM, upgradable to 64K using an expansion module from ATARI(!).
Then there is the 800XL, which conics with 64K and should be priced around $300. There are even rumors of third-party companies releasing memory modules to increase RAM to 192K. The 1400XL is also a 64K machine, with the addition of a built-in modem and voice synthesizer. (Great stuff!) This CPU should sell for about $500.
The new flagship (flagcomputer?) of the ATARI line is the 1450XLD (whew!). This too is a 64K machine with a BUILT IN double sided/double density disk drive, modem, and voice synthesizer. But that's not all... The disk drive data-transfer rate is 2 1/2 times faster than the 810 drive, and there is room in the 1450XLD to add another similar drive. I feel the most incredible feature of this unit is the price - scheduled to be under $1000; probably at $899! At th is time there is NO OTHER computer on the market that can match the feature-to-price capability of this computer.
The 600XL should be on your dealer's shelves by September, followed by the 800XL later in the month, and the 1400XL and 1450XLD in the fourth quarter. All four machines are fully compatible with the 400/800 - even more so than the 1200XL is. Also, all of the operating system bugs in the 1200XL format have been removed. Rumors are that the 400, 800, and even the recently released 1200XL will be phased out as the new machines become available. However, ATARI promises that all of the new software will work on the current machines.
To complement the new 1010 PROGRAM RECORDER is the 1050 DISK DRIVE, originally to be shipped with DOS II, then later in the year with DOS III which allows the drive to run at double density. Incidentally, DOS III utilizes the HELP key (a feature all of the new computers have) to assist in DOS III menu selection. The printers and storage devices will also work on the 400/800/1200XL computers.
The new EXPANSION MODULE boasts 8 ports, along with 2 RS-232 hookups and a bidirectional parallel interface.
Many of us have been craving for the ability to run CP/M programs on the ATARI computers. The new CP/M EXPANSION MODULE works with all the current and soon to be released computers with the exception of the 400. The unit will probably hook up through the serial line. This module allows you to run an incredible number of professional and high-quality business programs on the ATARI.
Another new piece of hardware the 1030 DIRECT CONNECT MODEM, featuring autodial from the keyboard, autoanswer, and pulse and touchtone dialing modes. The new modern also includes a memory buffer and printer on/off switching. The 1030 works with both Telelink I and II.
The new CX60 SUPERJOYSTICK is self-centering and is made of high quality contact switches with 2 firing buttons (for right or left handed users). The CX40 is a REMOTE CONTROL joystick, and the CX80 is a TRACKBALL controller replicating those in the arcades. A new type of "controller," the CX77 TOUCH TABLET allows you to use either a pen or your finger to draw or input data to the computer. This supplements the CX85 numeric keypad already on the market. A lightpen may also be available in the near future.
Again, with few exceptions, all of this hardware will work with the 400/800/1200XL. ATARI has also announced the availability in the near future of their own 48K RAM board for the 400. If ATARI starts filling in the gaps (especially in the memory department-see editorial in issue #11) this will leave the 3rd party companies, which up to now developed 400/800 expansion memory out in the cold.
Next issue we will report on other new announcements from the Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago. Fear not, loyal ATARI fans, the computer age is just beginning and ATARI is ready to lead the way.