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From: gdtltr@brahms.udel.edu (root@research.bdi.com (Systems Research Supervisor))
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit
Subject: Re: What is an Atari 400??
Message-ID: <21004@brahms.udel.edu>
Date: 1 May 91 13:30:21 GMT
References: <4356.2816bec5@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com> <91121.003533U25042@uicvm.uic.edu>
Organization: Brain Dead Innovations, Inc. (BDI)
Lines: 61

In article <91121.003533U25042@uicvm.uic.edu> U25042@uicvm.uic.edu (Booby's Home) writes:
=>In article <4356.2816bec5@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com>, tletski@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com
=>says:
=>>
=>>I recently fell into possession of an Atari 400.  I have ho knowledge of this
=>>machine.  Could somebody fill me in with the details (kind of processor,
=>>support floppy, cartridges available) etc.
=>
=>Paul,
=>    This is truly the first of firsts. First off, the ATARI 400 is
=>6502 based processor, with 16K (probably) built in. It has a
=>"membrane" keyboard, which is someone's idea of a cruel joke.

   I believe the keyboard's purpose is to be "Peanut Butter & Jelly-proof".
It wouldn't be too bad for playing Star Raiders.

=>                                                              As far as the
=>floppys go, you do need specific drives for ATARIs. Some of the ones I
=>remember are Rana, Indus GTS, Percomm, ATARI's own 810 and 1050, and
=>I'm sure that there are others.

   Like Atari's XF551 DSDD drive. However, there is little point in trying
to run a DOS in 16K RAM.

=>                                If you have the 850, the serial
=>interface, you can hook up 3rd party drives, I think.

   You can do it, but not with the 850. The 850 has (I believe) 3 (4?)
serial ports and 1 parallel port. For third party drives, you probably
want something like the ATR8000, which will run IBM-type drives, a printer,
and possibly a serial device or two. In the upgraded version it will also
run CP/M.

=>                                                      Cartridges
=>available are numerous, I'm sure, but probably hard to find.
=>
=>As far as what it's good for, well, I would probably use it for
=>learning 6502 assembler. It's not fast, it's not nice, but it'll do
=>the trick if that's what you're in to.
=>
   A reasonable conclusion.

=>Brought to you by the sick mind of
=>Bob Jackiewicz, writer of wrongs, wronger of rights.
=>BITNET:   U25042@UICVM                        "Touch my monkey!"  -Dieter
=>InterNet: U25042@UICVM.UIC.EDU
=>                               "Those people [who copycat movie murders]
=>"Your Lupins or your life!"     should not only be put in jail, but should
=>                -Python, M.     also be sued for plagiarism!" -Stephen King

                                        Gary Duzan
                                        Time  Lord
                                    Third Regeneration



-- 
                            gdtltr@brahms.udel.edu
   _o_                      ----------------------                        _o_
 [|o o|]   Two CPU's are better than one; N CPU's would be real nice.   [|o o|]
  |_o_|           Disclaimer: I AM Brain Dead Innovations, Inc.          |_o_|