41 replies to this topic

[Ransom]

We all know the arguments about which is the better one, based on expandability, compatibility, keyboard, etc.

But logic often has nothing to do with what we like best. Which of the commercially-released A8s do you like best?

[Mirage]

Yay, first vote. The 1200XL certainly has some obvious positives, but if I could have only one on a desert island (with electricity generated by bicycle), it would be 800XL.

[TwiliteZoner]

Atari 800. There's just something about that computer.

[Sub(Function(:))]

My first thought was the 130XE, and if I could have only one that is the one I would choose.

But my favorite would be the 800.

I could only afford a 400 when I was young, but I always wanted a 800. There is something, about the design of the 800 that always takes me back to my childhood.

[Philsan]

I voted for 800XL because I like its design (by Regan Cheng), it is compatible with all software and I had that computer in 1984.

But I would change my vote to 800, a real milestone (XL/XE computers aren't milestones) and built like a tank.

[griz]

I voted 1200XL because it's the cat's meow when upgraded. Short of the lack of PBI that is. Although that can be added if you're nuts.

I really love the 600XLs when they're upgraded too. So compact.

As for stock Ataris ... beh. What's the point? It's more fun to upgrade them!

I think this is actually a difficult poll because each machine has different virtues.

The 65XE however ... who could argue in favor of it? I suppose only those that had one, but I believe anyone who had a 65 XE back in the day envied the 130XEs. I was one of those people. I remember seeing all those 'special' sections of magazines for 130XE owners only.

[Marius1976]

For me it is also a hard choice. Our European PAL 65XE's are more interesting than the NTSC 65XE's, so I could imagine that someone picks that one.

For me I think my first choice is the 800XL. It was my first Atari, and I have very fond memories of that computer.

Today I also love the 600XL (with 576KB).

I can't choose one. But since I wanted to make my vote, I picked the 800XL

[kheffington]

800 looks the best and is great machine to use but for everyday use it is the 130XE.

[russg]

For me, that's like asking which is my favorite child. They each have their lovable traits, and if I have a favorite, I keep it from myself.

[CharlieChaplin]

Well,

allthough I do not own one, the 1400XL would be my favourite A8.
Until then, it`s the 800XL... -Andreas Koch.

[KubaCZ]

I don't own all Atari computers, but from those I have is best 800XL.. looks better than XEs, has better keyboard(well not all of them), most of chips are socketed and has more space for upgrades.

[olavese@online.no]

Ransom, on Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:37 AM, said:

We all know the arguments about which is the better one, based on expandability, compatibility, keyboard, etc.

But logic often has nothing to do with what we like best. Which of the commercially-released A8s do you like best?

I did go for 800 as first choice, though I use and love my 130XE maybe more now, due to memory. But the old "tank" Atari 800 is awesome :-)

[ClausB]

Candy, a 400, was my first and favorite. She opened up the world of Atari for me. And she still works fine today!

[save2600]

I'd go with the original 800 myself. When I got back into the A8 a little bit ago, I had a 1200XL, 130XE, 800XL and an XEGS. 1200XL out of those, was great, but there truly is something special about the 800. 400 also for that matter.

[Rybags]

800XL. For the most part the XL keyboards are better than XE. And I never liked the idea of the console keys at the top.

[Official Ninja]

130xe. It looks like my 1040ST's kid.

Edited by Official Ninja, Sun Jan 29, 2012 6:42 PM.

[Stephen]

I have at least one of every model, but since 1988 my daily use machine has been the 130XE. With the keyboard upgrade in it, it's great to type on all day.

[zylon]

I picked 600xl, since that was my first A8 and I'm still using it.(with Atari RAM expansion module)

[bbking67]

Well I have to go with 800XL... crap monitor output, but PBI, socketed chips (most of the time), decent keyboard, easy expandability, durability.

I'd say 800 if it were able to be equivalent to an 800XL with RAMBO XL, but it can't.

That being said, my favorite *stock* A8 has to be the 130XE. And the keyboard is not as big of a problem for me as others. I don't care for the XE styling personally: I think the 800 was the best looking machine, followed by the XL series.

[flashjazzcat]

1200XL for me, although it has to be upgraded, including PBI connector (and yes, I am nuts). Have to say that the 130XE comes a close second at the moment, since it's the machine I grew up on. It looks smart, and has all the expandability you need right out of the box.

[Shawn Jefferson]

Atari 800XL (with extra RAM), since it was the one I grew up with, but I still think it's the best of the bunch. Size is nice, keyboards aren't all that bad, cartridge slot is on the top.

The 800 is too dated, too big, and doesn't have the memory under the OS, or the PBI. The 1200XL is nice, but a bit big, and the cartridge slot is on the side and some cartridges don't fit, no built-in basic. The 600XL, too small. The XE computers, too Tramiel-ish and cheap, cartridge slot in the back.

[Gunstar]

I find it interesting that the 130XE and 1200XL are currently tied for 3rd. I expected the 800 and 800XL to take the first and second places because they are more common. Interesting becuase the 130XE has expanded memory and the 1200XL is the favorite of hackers with intentions to expand.

I wonder though what system has been expanded by the most people? Is the 800XL also by default the one system out there that has been upgraded the most because it's probably the most common? Or, have the 130XE or 1200XL surpassed the others in number of expanded units out among the community.

I wonder how voting would be different if the 400 and 600XL weren't choices, if everyone voting had to pick the favorite out of the 800-XE 48-128K models?

What would be the favorite between ONLY the 400 and 600XL models, with or without full 48-64K memory.

Edited by Gunstar, Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:38 PM.

[ledzep]

For me it's the 800, no question. But I'm biased, it was my first computer. I know that other versions are more capable or can run more programs or whatever, but there's something about that particular design, that look, that makes it my favorite. For me it's proof that art departments and design studios serve a purpose, I love everything about the shape and look of the 800 over all the other 8-bit options, I never liked the black and white style of the later offerings. I don't know what "it" is but the 800's got it for me and I was sold the second I saw one (partly because of my love of all things Atari, their arcade games and the 2600) even though a couple of my friends had Apple ][s. I still have my original 800, with the box, along with a bunch of those Compute! books and some Atari cart games for it.

[Gunstar]

I also love the looks of the 800 line, but I like the looks of the XL line too, which is brown and creme, not black and white, and I think the color combination is very classy looking, but I must clarify that I hate the look of the 600/800XL's with the cartridge slot on the top, it makes them look like a toy, as if their size didn't already do that.

I love the look of the 1200XL, it's sleek design and low profile, yet is still big enough to look like a serious computer of that era, like the 800 and Apple II's. And that is true, IMHO, of all the XL peripherials too.

The XE's I thought looked modern back in the 80's and liked the styling then, when I had a 130XE, but today they just look cheap to me. The ST line pulls the look off better becuase they are bigger.

Edited by Gunstar, Wed Feb 1, 2012 6:24 PM.

[Faicuai]

TwiliteZoner, on Sun Jan 29, 2012 11:59 AM, said:

Atari 800. There's just something about that computer.

Absolutely.

The nice-looking external design, the sturdy construction, the "anodized" look of the case' black screws (even those used INSIDE!), the two cart-slots, the Luma+Chroma ready video port, the easy-to-access system-slots, the MADE-IN-USA stamp on the bottom, and its Jay Miner (and team) lineage.

Definitely like no other... and right then comes my 800XL+Ultimate1MB combo.