1.8) What is the Atari 130XE?

Introduced in January 1985 alongside the 65XE, 65XEP (never shipped), and 65XEM (announced but not shown; never shipped), the Atari 130XE was the high- end machine in the new range of XE computers that would replace the Atari 600XL/800XL while maintaining compatibility with the earlier models. The 130XE does not include the PBI port as on the 600XL/800XL, but it does include the similar (though physically incompatible) Enhanced Cartridge Interface (ECI). 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. The 130XE offers 128KiB RAM, and has the Atari XL OS and Atari BASIC on ROM. 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 130XE: o Domestic version for NTSC M television (North America) - 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806 - ANTIC NTSC 'E' version, C021697 - GTIA NTSC version, C014805 - 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 - 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 o PAL versions for PAL B/G television (Europe) or PAL I television (UK) - 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806 - ANTIC PAL 'B' version, C021698 - GTIA PAL version, C014889 - 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 - 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 o SECAM version (France) - 6502 MPU (Atari SALLY), C014806 - ANTIC PAL 'B' version, C021698 - FGTIA, C020120 - 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 - Monitor port is Atari SECAM 6-pin - No Television Jack - No TV Channel Select Switch - Color Mono switch on back of computer to affect video output - TV cable (Monitor port to SCART/Peritel) supplied with computer Manuals: - Atari 130XE Personal Computer Owner's Manual C025951 - Atari 130XE Reference Manual (field service manual) The 130XE was made in Taiwan (common) and China (late production).