Atari 8-bit Computer Systems
400/800/1200XL/600XL/800XL
65XE/XEGS/130XE

What can you do with an 8-bit Atari computer system? Virtually anything you can do with any other type of computer!  The Atari systems could provide an inexpensive alternative for people interested in programming, word processing, databases, spreadsheets, communications, graphics, music, alternate operating systems, hardware, education, and of course, entertainment.

Fort Apocalypse for the Atari 8-bit Computers

If you want to do something with a computer, chances are you could do it on an 8-bit Atari computer. While substantially slower than today's PC's, the 8-bit Atari was far less costly than any of these, is easier to program at the machine level or alter at the hardware level, and has been documented more thoroughly than any of the newer computing platforms. The relative simplicity in design of the 8-bit Atari also means that many people found that the systems more reliable than their modern counterparts.  (My Atari 800 system still works today!!  I've owned it for almost 17 years!!!)

The software for the 8-bit Atari is sometimes more powerful than on any other platform. For example, some Bulletin Board Systems still run on 8-bit Atari systems, specifically because the BBS software available is better than that for any other type of computer.  Although, with the advances in technology with the Internet, the use of BBS's has dropped significantly. 

There is a reason for the relative quality of software on the 8-bit Atari. People program commercially for the latest PC's to make money; people program the 8-bit Atari because they want to -- they enjoy producing good software. It takes a team of specialized programmers to develop a major piece of software for those other systems; with the 8-bit Atari, a single person has the chance to learn the entire system, thereby developing greater pride in his programming abilities and his final product.  The character of the programmer can shine through.

Frogger for the Atari 8-bit Computers

The 8-bit Atari owner can take pride that his/her computer platform was developed years before the IBM PC or Apple Macintosh were even on the drawing boards, but remains as useful today as it was in 1979. 

The first Atari Home Computers were shown to the public during the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January, 1979.  The Atari 8-bit systems were on the market for the next 13 years, until Atari dropped support of them in early 1992.  They were ahead of their time when they were released, and Atari tried to improve on the technology as newer models were released.

Support for these machines seemed to drop off during 1985-1986 when the "new" Atari, under the control of Jack Tramiel, attempted to push Atari computing technology towards the 16-bit 520/1040 ST systems, which were outstanding in their own right.  However, they did continue to sell well, particularly in Europe.  Atari's "Power without the price" slogan was right on the mark.  These systems did offer powerful systems for substantially less than the competition.

Montezuma's Revenge for the Atari 8-bit Computers

These pages will give you a look back at Atari's 8-bit systems, and an extensive review of how you can make your IBM PC emulate the old Atari systems.

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