Atari 8-bit computer peripherals explained

Atari 8-bit computer peripherals include floppy drives, printers, modems, and video game controllers for Atari 8-bit computers, which includes the 400/800, XL, XE, and XEGS.^[1] ^[2] ^[3]

Because the Atari 400/800 8-bit computers were bundled with an RF modulator, stringent FCC regulations limiting radio emissions applied. Consequently, the Atari 400/800 systems internal construction use large metal frames as Faraday cages to prevent emissions. This prevents the use of internal cards to add connections for peripherals.

To permit easy expansion, Atari developed the SIO (Serial Input/Output) bus. This bus daisy chains together all Atari peripherals into a single string. The Atari computer family was designed to be easy for novice users to expand, with one universal connector plug. Peripherals have their own IDs and can deliver downloadable drivers to the computer during the boot process. However, the additional electronics in these "intelligent" peripherals made them cost more than the "dumb" devices for other systems.

List of peripherals

The names and the styling of Atari's 8-bit peripherals generally match the contemporary computer family. Thus, they can be divided into one of three groups: the 400/800 era (4xx/8xx), the XL era (10xx), and the XE era (beginning with 'X'). The XL-era naming reflects Atari's original intention to launch an "Atari 1000" line.^[4] These are superficial issues and the majority of peripherals are compatible with any 8-bit Atari computer.

Atari failed to release a large selection of machines and peripherals that were otherwise completed.

400/800 era (1979-1982)

410 Program Recorder - a tape drive, 600 bit/s on compact cassettes
- There are several variants of the 410. Early models were sizeable due largely to a much bigger speaker area at the back, and had square cornered buttons. Later versions were smaller and had buttons that were rounded off on the front.^[5]
- The 410 used stereo with the data recorded on one track and the other track holding audio that could be fed through the 400 or 800's sound output (as demonstrated by the language courses). The tape could also be programmatically stopped and started, provided the 'Play' button was engaged.
810 Disk Drive - a 5¼" floppy disk drive, single-density single-sided, 90 KB
- Pre-1982 drives "have notoriously poor speed regulation", ANALOG Computing reported in 1983; unlike other companies, "ATARI did not begin incorporating a reliable separator into the 810 until early 1982".^[6]
820 40-Column Printer - dot matrix on adding machine paper
822 Thermal Printer - 40-column thermal on slightly wider paper
825 80-Column Printer - dot matrix, used the Centronics interface so required an 850 (repackaged Centronics 737)
830 Acoustic Modem - a 300-baud modem, using an acoustic coupler, used RS-232 so required an 850 (relabelled Novation CAT)
835 Direct Connect Modem - a 300-baud modem, direct connect, basic Hayes compatible with SIO interface
850 Interface Module - included four RS-232 ports and one Centronics parallel port^[7]
CX30 Paddle Controllers - a set of 2 potentiometers attached to a single Atari joystick port. Originally released with the Atari VCS console.
CX40 joystick - 8-directional 1-button joystick, originally released with the Atari VCS console. Bundled with some Atari 400/800 packages and also sold separately. Originally all-black, a version with a matching gray base was later bundled with the Atari XEGS.
CX70 Light Pen - a light pen. Bundled with demonstration software on cassette
CX85 Numerical Keypad - external keypad that plugs into the joystick ports.

Prototypes and vaporware

815 Dual Disk Drive - dual 5¼" floppy disks, double-density single-sided, 180 KB (only small number of prototypes produced)

XL era (1982-1984)

1010 Program Recorder - a tape drive, a smaller replacement for the 410
1020 Color Printer - a 40-column plotter with 4 pens
1025 Printer - 80-column dot matrix (Okidata ML-80)
1027 Letter Quality Printer - 80-column letter quality that printed with a 5-wheels-on-a-drum system kept inked by a top-mounted roller (Mannesmann Tally Riteman LQ)
1029 Programmable Printer - 80-column lower-quality 7-pin dot matrix sold in Europe (Seikosha mechanism)
1030 Modem - 300 baud, direct connect with built in communications software.
1050 Dual-Density Disk Drive - 5¼" floppy disk, "enhanced density" format single-sided, 130 KB
1064 Memory Module - 64 KB memory expansion for 600XL
CX75 Light Pen - a light pen. Bundled with the AtariGraphics drawing program on cartridge.
CX77 Touch Tablet - a graphics tablet. Bundled with the AtariArtist drawing program on cartridge.^[8] ^[9] ^[10]
CX80 Trak-Ball Controller - a trackball, also contains a switch for joystick emulation

Prototypes and vaporware

1053 - a 5¼" floppy drive, looks like a 1050 but double-sided double-density, 360 KB
1055 - a 3½" floppy drive, single-side enhanced-density
1090 XL Expansion System - a case connected to the PBI port, with 5 slots intended for various expansion cards

XE era (1985 onward)

XEP80 Interface Module - provides 80-column display and a Centronics parallel interface for a printer, controlled by NS405, an 8048 based chip. Attached via a joystick port controlled at 15625 baud horizontal video timing.^[11]
XC11 Program Recorder - a tape drive
XC12 Program Recorder - a tape drive (small model like the 1010, sold worldwide). It was based on an earlier tape drive, Phonemark PM-4401A, not manufactured by Atari.^[12] A number of similar models were released, not marketed by Atari, mainly in Eastern Europe and Latin America, including these:^[13]
- XCA12 (same case as XC12)
- CA12 (same case as XC12)
- XL12 tape drive (an XC12 with minor changes)
XF551 Disk Drive - 5¼" floppy disk, double-density double-sided, 360 KB
XMM801 Dot-Matrix Graphics Printer - 80-column
XDM121 Letter-Quality Daisy-Wheel Printer - 80-column
XM301 Modem - 300 baud
SX212 Modem - 1200 baud (also included RS-232 for use on Atari ST computers)
XG-1 - a light gun, bundled with the Atari XEGS^[14]

Prototypes and vaporware

XF351 - 3½" floppy drive (never released)
XF521 - 5¼" floppy drive, 1050 compatible, XE style (never released)
XC1411 - 14" composite monitor (never released)
XM128 - 12" monochrome monitor (never made)

Notes and References

The Toy Store: Shootout of the games systems . Paleotronic . April–June 2018 . 2 . 96 . March 1, 2021.
Peripheral Power . Retro Gamer UK . 124 . 76 . March 1, 2021.
Book: Loguidice . Bill . Barton . Matt . [{{Google books | id=wZnpAgAAQBAJ | plainurl=yes | page=66}} Vintage Game Consoles ]. 2014 . Focal Press . 9780415856003 . 66 . March 1, 2021.
http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/8BITS/1200xl/1200_Proto/1200.html The Atari Sweet-16 Project
Web site: Atari 410, 810, 815, 816, 817, 820, 822, 825, 827, 830, 835, 837, 850, CX 40, CX 70, CX 85, CX 801, CX 852, CX 853 - atarimuseum.de.
Moriarty . Brian . July–August 1983 . Utility #6: Snail . ANALOG Computing . 94–97.
Web site: Atari Museum . 2019-07-10 . 2019-07-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190702214832/http://www.atarimuseum.com/computers/8BITS/400800/peripherals/Communications/850/index.htm . dead .
https://books.google.com/books?id=-rbIcQgxMGAC&pg=PT34 Image Technology
https://books.google.com/books?id=pqIoAAAAMAAJ Get the magic touch with the Atari Touch Table
http://www.a8museum.com/rx8053-atariartist.html RX8053 Atariartist
http://www.mathyvannisselroy.nl/hct2.htm NS405: the heart of the XEP80
Web site: Current . Michael D. . [ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/faqs/atari-8-bit/faq Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions ]. 3 April 2014 . 3.1.1) What are the Atari 410, 1010, XC11, & XC12 Program Recorders? . 25 May 2014 . TXT .
Web site: Current . Michael D. . [ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/faqs/atari-8-bit/faq Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions ]. 3 April 2014 . 3.1.2) What other cassette recorders can I use with my Atari? . 25 May 2014 . TXT .
Web site: Atari XEGS Information . Matthew . Ratcliff . AtariHQ . February 28, 2021.