Beginning in 1979, Atari released a series of computers that were known as the 8-bit series. Featuring a set of custom coprocessors, the eight bit computers included items like the Atari 400 and Atari 800, as well as the Atari XL and the Atari XP home computer systems.
The design itself started immediately following the release of the Atari 2600 gaming console. During this period of time, the home computer system took off. It was in this time that the Atari company was bought out by Warner communications, in which they received a new CEO, Ray Kassar, who wanted a system that could compete against the Apple.
So although the designing of the 8-bit series computers had already started, and had now come to the attention of their systems, they were able to handle character graphics, as well as supporting the BASIC programming language. It was further identified that these newer systems had to have some type of peripheral slots to allow for expansion.
So Atari set out to make two different versions of their 8-bit systems. The first version was to become known as Candy. Candy was their low-end computer, while their high-end computer was to be known as Colleen. The only real difference between the two was in the marketing. Colleen was also expandable as well as upgradeable.
Originally Atari had intended to utilise Microsoft's BASIC on their machines, but however, the current version of Microsoft's BASIC was 12 kilobytes, whereas they needed it at 8 kilobytes. After attempting for several months to scale down Microsoft's BASIC, the Ducati team finally decided to write their own Atari BASIC version.
The first 8-bit computers were announced in 1978, this was the Atari 400 along with the Atari 800. The reason for naming the computers in this fashion had to do with the amount of RAM that the computers came with. The 400 came with 4 kilobytes of RAM, whereas the 800 came with 8 kilobytes. As time went on, the cost of RAM, began to lower. So eventually, the Atari 400 would end up coming with 8 kilobytes of RAM and the Atari 800 would come with 16 kilobytes.
The first one released was the Atari 400, but by the time that the Atari 800 was released, it was capable of being expanded up to 48 kilobytes. It was to be the Atari 400 that would be the big seller. This was caused by the unwillingness of the developers to utilise the Atari 800 cartridge slot. People just plainly preferred the low-end model of the Atari 400.
When the FCC started up a new mandated class B emissions regulation, Atari was able to release a new version that would be lighter than the previous models. By 1982 the Sweet 8 which was also called the Liz NY; along with the Sweet 16 models were released. These new models were not only easier to build but also substantially cheaper. This became the second generation of the Atari 8-bit home computer systems. These new systems are no longer similar in design but they had their own completely different motherboards.
The Sweet 8 and the Sweet 16 models also came in both high-end and low-end models. It was to be the models that became known as the Atari 1000 and Atari 1000X. But by the time that the Sweet 8 and the Sweet 16 projects were released the only remaining one were to be the 1200XL model. The 1200XL was actually a combination of the Sweet 16 and the Sweet 8 projects. This model came with 64 kilobytes of RAM, a completely redesigned keyboard, a built-in means of self testing and an all new lay out for their cable porting system.
The Atari 1200XL was discontinued in 1983 due to poor sales which were caused by bad design and high price.
During the 1983 Christmas season, both Atari along with Commodore were now in a price war. Since Atari stood no competition against Commodore, Commodore would be the victor. Jack Tramiel who was the CEO at Commodore at the time, eventually got fired from the position due to issues that arose during the 1983 price war.
Jack Tramiel ended up purchasing Atari from Warner communications. During the time in which he was owner of Atari, Jack Tramiel would be the one who would introduce them to the Atari XE and the Atari XEGS models. By this time the target was ready to re-emerge into the gaming market due to recent competition by Nintendo. This led to the release of the Atari XE Game System which was also known as the XEGS.
January 1st, of 1992 marks the calendar as the day that Atari finally dropped the 8-bit systems. These systems ended up having a long life expectancy, which was brought on by the 6502 processor and the combination between the GTIA and the ANTIC graphics chips.
Original Authors: Gobel Team (Nick)
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 21/05/2008
