Do You have an Atari 400?

[PentiumMMX]

Last Saturday, I went to a Yard Sale and Found a Atari 400 Computer!

And I got it! (Lucky me that it did not rain when I went to go get it)

And Now I am Wondering...

...Does any one on DP have an Atari 400?

[Captain Wrong]

I used to. That was the computer I cut my teeth on. We had one that was tricked out, my dad sprung for getting a real keyboard put on it, which made programming soooo much easier.

I kinda wish I still had it, but then I got a 5200.

[Ed Oscuro]

I'm one of the "no" votes. I certainly don't hate the system - I know absolutely nothing about it other than it's a computer! I probably know more about some of the other computers of the time. Now wasn't there an Atari 800? If I remember what I read from a contemporary book (Computer Graphics Primer from the very early 80s, had synopses of a couple dozen various personal computers/professional systems from the time, from the very small and inexpensive to the Apple // and even a $60,000 multiuser system for libraries) there was an Atari 800 as well.

*Goes off to check Old-computers.com*

Holy cow that is a beautiful case design on the 400.

Why does the 800 have two cartridge slots?

[oesiii]

I have almost every other Atari computer besides the 400

I have an 800, 1200, 800XL, 130XE, and a XEGS. I'll pick up a 400 one of these days

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

Mrs. PDF procured a 400 in fantastic shape for me for Valentine's Day '03. It wasn't until CGE '03 that I even got carts for it.

[Wookie]

I'm a yes. I've got all the standard Atari 8-bits (400,800,600XL,800XL,1200XL,65XE,130XE,XEGS). Anybody looking to get rid of a 1400/1450?

Of those, the 800,800XL and 130XE are the only ones that see much use.

[AlanD]

I'm with Wookie on this one. I have a 2 400s, 2 800s, 1200XL, 600XL, 2 800XL, 65XE, 130XE and an XEGS. I too would love to get a 1400 or 1450 but I recognize the fact that I am cheap and probably couldn't afford it. I do love limited release/semi-proto hardware tho.

I have kept my original 8K 400 through the years but did find a 16K one to add to the collection about 2 years ago. The 800XL gets the most play since it is the only one I can hook the M-I/O up to and it is so easy to do memory expansion on it.
Alan

[ApolloBoy]

I've got a 600XL (that was DOA) and an 800XL, if that counts.

[den68]

yup, I've got one and the 800XL. It was a thrift store find as were most of my old computers except my VIC-20 and C64. Those were the two I learned (well, played games) on.

the 400 does have a pretty funky case. I like the little door covering the cartridge slot.

[Raedon]

I have a nice 400 and a broen 800 with floppy.

[christianscott27]

got a boxed one "the programmer!"

and thats how it'll say since they went ahead and made the XE and 800 where i can play all my atari comp games.

it is cool looking though, very emblamatic of the early 80s

[rbudrick]

I don't have one, but I have at least 1 game for for sale it here (among many other things):

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32806

An absolutley shamelsss, plug, yes.

-Rob

[MarioAllStar2600]

Nope. I sold my C=64 also. I Don't enjoy old computers much. I also find them very hard to collect for.

[IntvGene]

the 400 does have a pretty funky case. I like the little door covering the cartridge slot.

Gotta love the cartridge bay..

I don't have one anymore, mainly because there are better Atari computers to own than the 400 despite the beautiful design.

[evg2000]

I've go a 400, 800, 800XL, 800XL (with omni/expanded memory attachment) , 1200XL, 130XE, and an XE.

later,
charles

[Moose]

I, too, have an Atari 400. I also have the 410 which is the cassette reader. I thought it was funny that the cart door had a metal shield on it - as if any port left exposed would emit radiation.

[Wookie]

I, too, have an Atari 400. I also have the 410 which is the cassette reader. I thought it was funny that the cart door had a metal shield on it - as if any port left exposed would emit radiation.

Shielding in the 400 & 800 was very impressive, mainly to avoid TV/radio interference, but it also served as a cut-off switch for the cartridge port - open the door and it kills power to the computer, thus saving wear & tear on the power switch and avoiding the risk of the user inserting/removing a cart with power on. I always thought this was one of the best features of the 400/800 (along with the tank-like feel, of course)

[Ed Oscuro]

I also find them [old computers in general? - Ed.] very hard to collect for.

Looking at eBay auctions I was about to declare the Atari 400 one of the systems one can find great games for at VERY reasonable prices...do you mean obscure games or what?

[Ze_ro]

I have a 400... but when I bought it, the the RF cable had been cut. The system works fine, but I haven't done a permanent fix for the RF cable, so it's out of commission at the moment.

I also have a 600XL... but I have no power supply for it. I was able to use some of the equipment at my university to power it, and it does indeed work... but until I find an actual power supply, it'll also remain out of commission.

I'm hoping to find an 800XL or an XE one of these days so that I can stick both the 400 and 600XL into storage or something.

--Zero