The Atari 130XE is an 8-bit home computer produced by Atari, an American company, starting in 1985. It is the successor of theAtari 800XL, with more RAM. It was released the same year as the more powerful, 16-bit ST series.
I found this computer interesting, because it has a very nice line, similar to the Atari ST series, although it is an 8-bit home computer. When I saw it on eBay, I immediately decided it would be in my collection.
The computer was sold to me working. There was only one letter of the keyboard that did not go up: I had to lubricate it.
Startup screen
The start screen of the Atari Basic is very simple: it only shows the inscription READY.
The computer is equivalent to the Atari 800XL: if the Atari 1050 floppy disk drive is connected, the computer automatically attempts to boot from the disk, loading its contents.
Always with floppy disk drive connected, holding down the OPTION When you turn it on, the computer does not load BASIC. In this case, there is more memory available to run some programs and games that, if the BASIC were in memory, would not start correctly.
When the Atari 1050 floppy disk drive is not connected to the computer, holding down the OPTION When you turn it on, the computer's self-test starts. Through self testing, it's easy to verify that the Atari 130XE is working properly.
Atari 130XE technical characteristics
CPU: MOS 6502C, 1.77 MHz (PAL) / 1.79 MHz (NTSC)
ROM: 24 KB
RAM: 128 KB
Graphic:
- GTIA (Graphic Television Interface Adaptor): PAL OKI C014889, NTSC OKI C012295 and C014805
- ANTIC (Alphanumeric Television Interface Controller): PAL C021698, NTSC C021697
Text mode: 5 modes, from 20 columns x 12 lines to 40 columns x 24 rows
Graphics mode: 256 colors, 16 graphics modes, maximum 320 x 192 pixels
Audio: POKEY (POtentiometer KEYboard Integrated Circuit): C012294, 4 voices
Keyboard: mechanical, QWERTY 62 keys
Software included in ROM: Atari Basic
I/O Ports:
- 1 CVBS composite video
- 1 Audio/Video
- 1 Expansion port
- 1 Cartridge slot
- 1 Peripheral port (SIO)
- 2 Joystick Ports
Emulate the Atari 130XE
It is possible to emulate the vintage Atari 130 XE computer on a common Windows PC, via ALTIRRA. In this way, it is possible to try to start programs and games, as well as program the retro computer, in a simple and convenient way... without even owning it!
Power supply
The power supply of the Atari 130XE home computer is external.
Output: 5V, 1A.
Papers
1. Atari 130 XE owner’s manual
3. Atari 130 XE reference manual
Collection entry date: 07/11/2022.