Introduced in January 1985 alongside the 130XE, 65XEP (never shipped), and
65XEM (announced but not shown; never shipped), the Atari 65XE was the low-end
machine in the new range of XE computers that would replace the Atari
600XL/800XL while maintaining compatibility with the earlier models.
The 65XE does not include the PBI port as on the 600XL/800XL, but many 65XE
machines include the similar (though physically incompatible) Enhanced
Cartridge Interface (ECI).
The 65XE offers 64KiB RAM, and has the Atari XL OS and Atari BASIC on ROM.
While 1200XL/600XL/800XL keyboard key labels used capital letters exclusively,
on 65XE/130XE keyboards only the first letter of the word is capitalized.
Also, the [DELETE BACK SPACE] key from the 1200XL/600XL/800XL is labeled
[Delete Bk Sp] on the 65XE/130XE.
System initialization types supported:
- Atari BASIC: Turn on computer with no cartridge inserted and no powered
disk drive #1.
- Self Test program: Hold down [Option] while turning on the computer with no
cartridge inserted and no powered disk drive #1.
- Cartridge: Turn on computer with cartridge inserted. (disables BASIC)
- Cassette boot: (boot cassette may or may not require BASIC or cartridge)
1. - With BASIC or with cartridge (cartridge disables BASIC):
Hold down [Start] while turning on the computer.
- With no cartridge and without BASIC:
Hold down both [Start] and [Option] while turning on the computer.
(system buzzer sounds)
2. Press [PLAY] on the program recorder with boot cassette inserted.
3. Press [Return] on the computer.
- Disk boot: (boot disk may or may not require BASIC or cartridge inserted)
- With BASIC or with cartridge (cartridge disables BASIC):
Turn on computer with boot disk inserted in powered disk drive #1.
- With no cartridge and without BASIC:
Hold down [Option] while turning on computer with boot disk inserted
in powered disk drive #1.
Versions of the Atari 65XE:
o Domestic version for NTSC M television (North America)
- Most units: No ECI
Late units: NTSC 130XE motherboard (including ECI, but only 64KiB RAM)
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC NTSC 'E' version, C021697
- GTIA NTSC version, C014805
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Television Jack for RF output
- TV Channel Select Switch on back of computer selects RF channel: 2 or 3
- TV Switch Box and TV Video Cable both supplied with computer
- 14KiB Operating System ROM
- Most units: XL OS Rev.2, C061598
- Late units: XL OS Rev.3, C300717
- Atari BASIC Rev. C (8KiB ROM), C024947
o PAL versions for PAL B/G television (Europe) or PAL I television (UK)
- Early units: No ECI
Most units: PAL 130XE motherboard (including ECI, but only 64KiB RAM)
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC PAL 'B' version, C021698
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Television Jack for RF output
- No TV Channel Select Switch
- TV output: RF channel 4 (PAL B version) or 36 (PAL G/PAL I versions)
- TV Video Cable supplied with computer
- 14KiB Operating System ROM
- Most units: XL OS Rev.2, C061598
- Late units: XL OS Rev.3, C300717
- Atari BASIC Rev. C (8KiB ROM), C024947
- UK version also shipped in: Atari 65XE Home Computer Outfit
o Arabic Atari 65XE Najm for PAL television in Arabia
- Reportedly widely sold in Saudi Arabia and Egypt
- "65XEN" motherboard
- ECI port
- 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806
- ANTIC PAL 'B' version, C021698
- GTIA PAL version, C014889
- Monitor port is Atari 5-pin
- Television Jack for RF output
- No TV Channel Select Switch
- TV output: Unknown, likely either RF channel 4 (PAL B) or 36 (PAL G)
- TV Video Cable supplied with computer
- 14KiB Operating System ROM: XL OS Rev.3B (Arabic localized OS), C101700
- Atari BASIC Rev. C (8KiB ROM), C024947
- Visual tour:
http://www.atari800xl.eu/hardware/computers/star-arabic-atari-65xe.html
- Another analysis (Polish): http://preview.tinyurl.com/jnl2l2l
- More info (Polish): http://atariki.krap.pl/index.php/Arabski_65XE
- Prototype NTSC Arabic 65XE:
http://www.savetz.com/vintagecomputers/arabic65xe/
Manuals:
- Atari 65XE Personal Computer Owner's Manual C072018
The 65XE was made in Taiwan (common) and China (late production). |