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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe Atari 800XL is a 1983 Atari 8-bit home computer that succeeded the Atari 800. It came with 64 KiB of RAM and Atari BASIC built in; the earlier 800 was sold in several memory configurations and required a separate BASIC cartridge. The 800 also had four controller ports and an internal speaker, while the 800XL has two controller ports.
What is the Atari 800XL?
The 800XL belongs to Atari’s XL generation of 8-bit computers. It was introduced in June 1983, with small US shipments late that year and broader worldwide shipments in late winter or early spring 1984, according to Atarimania’s 800XL FAQ. It replaced the Atari 800 while remaining part of the same broad 8-bit platform.
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The 800XL standard configuration includes 64 KiB of RAM, a 14 KiB operating-system ROM and an 8 KiB BASIC ROM. Its regional versions and revisions vary: the model was produced for NTSC, PAL and SECAM video systems, so a particular machine’s video output and ROM details depend on its configuration.
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How do the Atari 800 and 800XL compare?
| Feature | Atari 800 | Atari 800XL |
|---|---|---|
| Generation and role | Original 400/800 design generation; later replaced by the 800XL | XL generation; successor to the Atari 800 |
| Standard memory | Varied by production period and configuration: 8 KiB (1979–80), 16 KiB (1980–82) or 48 KiB (1982–83) | 64 KiB RAM |
| BASIC | Separate cartridge | Built-in Atari BASIC |
| Controller ports | Four | Two |
| Notable internal or physical design | Internal speaker, plug-in memory modules and a plug-in internal CPU board | Newer XL system design |
The 800 figures and design details come from Atarimania’s Atari 800 FAQ; the controller-port and platform distinctions are also described in its 8-bit hardware overview. The 800’s memory used plug-in modules, and its CX801 personality module contained 10 KiB of ROM. The 800XL instead has its BASIC and operating-system ROMs in the machine.
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What do the differences mean in practice?
Memory and setup
The 800XL gives you 64 KiB of RAM without choosing among the original 800’s memory configurations. BASIC is ready to use on the 800XL; on the 800, using BASIC requires the separate cartridge. That makes the XL’s standard configuration more self-contained for someone starting the computer to write or run BASIC programs.
Controllers and hardware
The 800’s four controller ports can matter if a setup depends on more than two simultaneously connected controllers. The 800XL provides two. Their internal designs also differ: the 800 has an internal speaker and a plug-in CPU board, while the 800XL uses the later XL design. A specific peripheral’s suitability still depends on the peripheral and the machine revision.
Software and peripheral compatibility
The 800XL was designed to maintain compatibility with the earlier Atari 8-bit machine, but that does not guarantee every older program or accessory will work unchanged. Software may depend on assumptions about the original operating system, and regional versions or revisions can differ. For a particular game, application or peripheral, check compatibility with the exact computer and configuration rather than relying on the family name alone.
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No. Atari’s current product page lists “THE 800XL,” a modern recreation, not an original 1983 computer. Atari describes the recreation as including 25 built-in games, a full-size mechanical keyboard, a working cartridge slot, HDMI output and built-in Atari BASIC. The page lists pre-orders as open, planned shipping in late April 2027 and a displayed price of $219.99; those are changeable product details and apply only to the recreation. See Atari’s 800XL recreation page for its current listing.
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- Officially licensed Atari titles. Titles include Asteroids, Centipede, Millipede, Breakout, Missile Command, Crystal Castles and many more. Game save options.
- Packed with over 200 built-in Atari games + bonus titles. Pac-Man & Galaga not included. Full Game list listed below.
- Includes Atari console, games instructions, 2 wireless joysticks, USB power cable, HDMI cable, and user manual. System connects directly to TV.
- Includes two 2.4 GHz wireless joysticks, inspired by the original Atari joysticks, include paddles for paddle games like Breakout, Warlords and many more.
- User Guide Languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Japanese and Arabic. Dynamic RGB LED lights.
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