HARDWARE / COMPUTERS
From the 400 and 800 through XL to XE and XEGS. Successive computers differed in keyboard, memory capacity and expansion connectors. Some had built-in BASIC; others needed a cartridge.
1979
The first generation: four controller ports and BASIC on cartridge. The Atari 400 has a membrane keyboard; the 800 has a full-travel keyboard and replaceable memory modules.
Membrane keyboard
RAM modules, two cartridge slots
1983
The 1200XL received 64 KB RAM and a new keyboard. The later 600XL and 800XL have built-in BASIC and the PBI expansion bus.
BASIC on cartridge, F1–F4 keys
BASIC in ROM, PBI
BASIC in ROM, PBI
1985–1987
The 65XE and 800XE have 64 KB RAM; the 130XE has 128 KB, half accessed through bank switching. The XEGS has a detachable keyboard and built-in Missile Command.
ECI depends on motherboard version
Bank-switched memory, ECI
BASIC Rev. C, ECI
Detachable keyboard, no ECI