doug
Full Member
Posts: 136
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Post by doug on Jun 27, 2006 21:47:51 GMT -5
Hi,
It is inevitable that I will end up purchasing an Atari 800(xl) soon. I can feel that ol' eBay retro computer buying itch coming on strong. But I can't decide if I want the original 800 or the 800XL.
On the one hand, the 800 is the original, and I always wanted one. On the other hand, 800XL's are more commonly found on eBay, including ones in excellent condition with all the bits and pieces.
Having never owned either I am looking for advice/opinion on the matter.
Regards,
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telengard
Junior Member
Stuck in the 80s
Posts: 51
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Post by telengard on Jun 27, 2006 23:06:10 GMT -5
Hi, It is inevitable that I will end up purchasing an Atari 800(xl) soon. I can feel that ol' eBay retro computer buying itch coming on strong. But I can't decide if I want the original 800 or the 800XL. On the one hand, the 800 is the original, and I always wanted one. On the other hand, 800XL's are more commonly found on eBay, including ones in excellent condition with all the bits and pieces. Having never owned either I am looking for advice/opinion on the matter. Regards, Hi there! Atari is an excellent choice... I can only add a little to what you have already discovered. The Atari 800 is a classic. It has an excellent keyboard. As you've found though they seem to go for much more on eBay. Another positive of the 800 is the 4 joystick ports. The upside to an 800XL is the built in BASIC rather than needing a BASIC cart plugged in. Not a big deal, but maybe worth considering. It's also a lot smaller. I own both (+ a 130XE) so I'd have a tough time choosing personally. Also note that some games (not many though from what I've seen so far) will only work with one or the other. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will pipe up with more substantial differences. hth, ~telengard
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MikeAZ1
Full Member
Qlinker of the 80's
Posts: 157
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Post by MikeAZ1 on Jun 27, 2006 23:13:23 GMT -5
I have an Atari-800 I got as a B-day gift in 1980 and still works great to this day Also have 2 800XL's other than updated internals it comes with 64k RAM instead of 16 to 48k like the ol 800 I like both and u cant go wrong either way.
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Post by thurstan on Jun 28, 2006 6:00:42 GMT -5
An 800 is also on my must have list and keep getting close to winning auctions for the 800 but always pipped at the post. 800xl's and xe's are as common as muck!
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doug
Full Member
Posts: 136
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Post by doug on Jun 28, 2006 11:17:33 GMT -5
One thing's for certain. I know that if I get an 800XL I will still want an 800 down the road. So I guess the question is, do I wait for the right 800 to come my way, or do I get an 800XL now to play with (prefer not to use emulators)?
Besides 2 less joystick ports and an inferior keyboard (compared to the 800), I've heard the 800XL has worse video (not as sharp as the 800). Does anyone have any experience with this?
Regards,
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Post by thurstan on Jun 28, 2006 11:52:16 GMT -5
I have found its worth waiting for the right 800 to come along. Majority i have seen have had something wrong with them or are missing power leads etc, then every so often you get a mint condition one with box etc.
If you got a 800XL first you would definitely still be wanting an 800, I know I would!
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doug
Full Member
Posts: 136
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Post by doug on Jun 28, 2006 15:36:04 GMT -5
Well I'm committed now. I just won 4 Atari carts on eBay! Pacman, Defender, Asteroids, and Centipede. Just need the computer now!
Regards,
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Post by retrobits on Jun 28, 2006 22:46:18 GMT -5
Hey Doug, nice picture of the Model IV on your posts!
I waited for an original 800. Took a while to find a good one, but when I did, things went well. The 800 that I got (thru eBay) was a later production model. You can tell because the top is screwed down instead of thumb-latched, and it's fully populated with 48K out of the chute. Also, in the later models, the RAM carts were taken out of their casing to reduce heating problems.
It works great, and even came with a 1050 disk drive. That combined with the SIO2PC adapter and Atari Peripheral Emulator (commercial version) from Atarimax provides a good experience. I can even dial "telnet" BBSes through the SIO2PC and APE, and it's just like old times.
Here's hoping you find a good one real soon. I'm also crossing my fingers for Thurstan, who has been on an 800 hunt for a while now...
- Earl
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Post by thurstan on Jun 29, 2006 7:05:06 GMT -5
Thanks Earl, I need all the luck i can get.
Gosh yes, the hunt continues . . .
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Post by gmoon on Jun 29, 2006 7:55:23 GMT -5
There was a magical time (say, 1995-2000) before ebay really took off when you could find all these 8-bitsters for a song. I picked up an Atari 800 then for 4.99, USD (disk drive was tanked, tho ) Got a lot of retro hardware at that time, for ill prices. Good luck with your 800 search. If anyone needs a basic lang catridge (CXL4002) for the 800, I have three. Be glad to sell one for $1 USD (and whatever shipping at cost.)
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doug
Full Member
Posts: 136
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Post by doug on Jun 29, 2006 9:39:32 GMT -5
gmoon, you're sure right about eBay. Back then the vintage computing category may have had 100 items on any given day. Now it's in the thousands. And our hobby has taken off to the point where sellers expect (and often demand) top dollar. It used to be shipping costs were the prime factor in whether you made a purchase or not.
I passed up an Heathkit H89 in about 1999 on eBay that was "new" in the boxes unassembled! It went for over $500 which at the time I thought was too much. It would probably fetch $1500 or more today.
Regards,
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