info-mac@uw-beaver (01/11/85)
From: <bang!crash!bwebster@Nosc>
I went to CES this past weekend and did, indeed, see the new Atari machines.
There are two: the 130ST (128K, $399) and the 520ST (512K, $599). Other
than memory size, there is no difference between the two. Neither one comes
with disk drive or monitor; however, Atari does provide these at (according
to them) very low prices, i.e., $200 for a 500K 3.5" disk drive. Here's
what the machines do have:
192K of ROM, expandable (via a cartridge slot) to 320K;
Bit-mapped graphics display (uses 32K) with three modes:
320x200 with 16 colors (lo-res);
640x200 with 4 colors (med-res);
640x400 with monochrome (hi-res);
total of 512 colors available (8 x RGB)
8 MHz 68000 "with no wait states"
built-in 3.5" disk controller (for just one?)
hard disk interface w/DMA (Atari will sell a 3.5" 10MB HD)
3-voice sound with the usual features
built-in MIDI interface (!)
full keyboard with 10 function keys, cursor keys, numeric
keys, and HELP and UNDO keys
two joystick ports (DB-9), one of which is set up for a
*two-button* mouse (so much for standards)
video output for TV, composite, RGB, and hi-res monochrome
Centronics parallel port
RS-232 serial port
GEM/TOS environment from DRI (nearly identical to the Finder,
though the system font and icons weren't as nice)
BASIC or LOGO (your choice, I believe)
The machine looks like a somewhat-enlarged IBM PC keyboard (remember, drives
and monitor are external). No bus, no expandability (except for the ROM
cartridge). Availability is start of 3rd quarter 85. Jack Trammiel claims
that Atari will sell a few million of these this year. Oh, yes, Atari also
announce a new line of 6502C-based computers as well.
Will they sell? Depends on whether or not Atari can get them to market in
sufficient quantities and with sufficient software. I think that Apple has
shown people how much nicer the Mac's user interface is for the computer
novice; Atari may capitalize on all that free marketing by offering a similar
machine at a greatly reduced price.
..bruce..
Bruce F. Webster, BYTE
bang!crash!bwebster@nosc
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