Released at $999 US, the Atari 8-bit computer line was launched
with this great machine. Capable of both "left" and "right" cartridges,
it was the first machine to feature this type of expandability. The
external keypad shown here retailed for $125 US and allowed for
fast data entry and the standard Atari joysticks that were released
for the Atari 2600 game console also worked on this machine. The
800 XL machine is supposed to be 100% compatible with the 800
model but in reality, it isn't so many people found reason to keep
their 800 around for longer than they might have otherwise.
This computer is currently interactive in the Museum.
Atari 16K Memory Module
Release Date:
1/1/1979
This is a Ram expansion module produced by Atari. In the early days of personal computing, users were expected to be able to demonstrate a certain amount of fearlessness when it came to upgrading their machines. This upgrade, while not difficult, did require using a screw drive to open the computer and access areas that - at least in the modern computer world - would void a warranty.
Atari 810 Disk Drive
Release Date:
9/24/1979
The Atari 810 Disk Drive was Atari's first disk drive for its line of Atari 400/800 computers. Providing 88K of storage per disk side, the 810 gave Atari computer users the ability to quickly store and retrieve documents and program files to and from the storage device. Up to 4 Atari 810's could be daisy chained together via the Atari SIO bus for a total of almost 360K of on-line random access file storage and retrieval. The Atari 810 came in two different versions; the Tandon mech version and the MPI mech version. The Atari 810 is rather large compared to other companies disk drives and has an external 9Vac power supply. The reason why the drive is so large is that there is no disk drive controller in any of the Atari 400/800 computers, instead each device that connects to an Atari computer through its SIO bus is actually an intelligent device with its own intelligent communications controller and floppy disk controller. The case design was conceived by Kevin McKinsey of Atari's Home Computer Industrial Design group. The case is interesting in that the top and bottom covers are actually the same part made to assemble the top and bottom sides. Adhesive labels on the back of the 810 would block unused ports on the topside of the cover.
From Atarimuseum.com
Atari CX-85 Numeric Keypad
Release Date:
1/1/1980
Sensing a need to add a more serious numeric setup for its Atari 800 computer system, Atari introduced the Atari CX-85 numeric keypad which plugged into one of the available front joystick ports on the Atari 800 and using a special driver will allow the numeric keypad to be used with any Atari program or for programming in BASIC or other programming languages. The numeric keypad was also packaged into 2 packages: The Atari Bookkeeper and The Atari Accountant.
Unfortunately Atari did not see the numeric keypad as a necessary part of a standard keyboard and this product was not incorporated into the Atari XL line of computers which would have given them a more serious and professional look.
User Comments
Phil Clayton on Sunday, May 10, 2009 This keypad could be used on the Commodore 64. I have an old Magazine article form the 80's with a way to program the driver needed for this Numeric Keypad. It was pretty cool at the time as it gave the Commodore 64 a Numeric Keypad. I purchased 2 of these in 1984 (I think) from some surplus reseller for about $10. I still have two of them with all my old Commodore stuff.
 "Atari 800")
 "Atari 16K Memory Module")
 "Atari 810 Disk Drive")
 "Atari CX-85 Numeric Keypad")