Cool atari xe atari Canada document i got today

[oo7]

Here it is

 

too bad its defaced

[+kheller2]

That is a mighty fine list of prototype hardware marketing. ?

Has anyone even seen a XM148?  

[_The Doctor__]

I think it was a monitor, but black and white shown with an XEP80 at some point, why? Did you spot one somewhere?

[oo7]

14 minutes ago, kheller2 said:

That is a mighty fine list of prototype hardware marketing. ?

Has anyone even seen a XM148?  

Ide like the xc141 lol

[+davidcalgary29]

2 hours ago, oo7 said:

Here it is

 

too bad its defaced

That unknown person's writing actually contains as much useful information as that partial vapourware ad. $600 for a 65XE and a 1050 seems like kind a of a bad price for 1985. Atari Canada was selling 1050s for $349.95 that summer -- I know, as I got mine at that time. It's difficult to believe that you couldn't get a full system for $500 CAD at that point, although perhaps my prices were off by a few months.

 

And the keyboard WAS bad. I would've gone for a 800XL myself if the 130XE wasn't available. I bought my 130XE in Miami.

[gilsaluki]

7 hours ago, davidcalgary29 said:

That unknown person's writing actually contains as much useful information as that partial vapourware ad. $600 for a 65XE and a 1050 seems like kind a of a bad price for 1985. Atari Canada was selling 1050s for $349.95 that summer -- I know, as I got mine at that time. It's difficult to believe that you couldn't get a full system for $500 CAD at that point, although perhaps my prices were off by a few months.

 

And the keyboard WAS bad. I would've gone for a 800XL myself if the 130XE wasn't available. I bought my 130XE in Miami.

I think the potential customer was eying a package deal.  A 65XE, 1027 Printer, & a 1050 Drive for $599.  That's about right for Canadian Dollars in 1985. 

[Atari8guy]

21 hours ago, davidcalgary29 said:

That unknown person's writing actually contains as much useful information as that partial vapourware ad. $600 for a 65XE and a 1050 seems like kind a of a bad price for 1985. Atari Canada was selling 1050s for $349.95 that summer -- I know, as I got mine at that time. It's difficult to believe that you couldn't get a full system for $500 CAD at that point, although perhaps my prices were off by a few months.

 

And the keyboard WAS bad. I would've gone for a 800XL myself if the 130XE wasn't available. I bought my 130XE in Miami.

I'm pretty sure we paid 500 even for a 1050 and an 800XL with Pac-Man and Super Breakout (and probably joysticks and paddles) the year before this, so, I too, find this steep.  I do know our local retailer, where we got this, was selling at that price only as a package.    Great find though!!

[+davidcalgary29]

Atari Corp. really slashed the prices of the A8 line after 1987, which was very nice if you were on a tight budget (as I was). Say what you will about the Tramiels, but their budget-mindedness allowed me to pick up the XEP80 and SX212 for under fifty bucks apiece in 1988. Of course, I didn't see the XF551 at all until the very end, and it was still cheaper to pick up a 1050 at that point. 

 

When my parents bought my 800, 410, and a couple of software titles (I remember that BASIC was extra), the total came to over $800 CAD in 1983. 

[Mazzspeed]

My Gawd that looks like my late Fathers hand writing!

 

It's interesting the hand written comment regarding the keyboard. I thought it would have taken longer for people to realize certain variants on the XL series and the original 800 were, depending on personal preference of course, somewhat better? I say based on personal preference as there may well be a number of people out there that prefer the keyboard on the XL series - Personally I've never used one so I can't comment.

 

What is that? Is it just a sales brochure, or some official sales document?

[oo7]

1 hour ago, 8bitguy1 said:

I'm pretty sure we paid 500 even for a 1050 and an 800XL with Pac-Man and Super Breakout (and probably joysticks and paddles) the year before this, so, I too, find this steep.  I do know our local retailer, where we got this, was selling at that price only as a package.    Great find though!!

This document came to me from someone ne in Nova Scotia so the slightly higher pricing out there back then makes sense.

 

the part that blows my mind is all the vapour ware listed 

[_The Doctor__]

But it's coming real soon now    That was and actual button people wore by the way... 'RSN' buttons on jackets and shirts were donned to express the users dismay at just that.

[+MrFish]

On 8/12/2021 at 11:18 PM, oo7 said:

too bad its defaced

 

That defacing can easily be removed, once the doc is scanned.

 

[Gunstar]

3 hours ago, Mazzspeed said:

My Gawd that looks like my late Fathers hand writing!

 

It's interesting the hand written comment regarding the keyboard. I thought it would have taken longer for people to realize certain variants on the XL series and the original 800 were, depending on personal preference of course, somewhat better? I say based on personal preference as there may well be a number of people out there that prefer the keyboard on the XL series - Personally I've never used one so I can't comment.

 

What is that? Is it just a sales brochure, or some official sales document?

While there were different keyboard variations/manufacturers over their life times, some better than others the 800 and 600/800/1200XL line, any one of them had better quality build and feeling keyboards than the XE line. The XE line, IIRC, has some different variations/manufacturers too, but all were worse than any other Atari 8-bit line with the possible exception of the 400's membrane keyboard, which some may even prefer over the mushy and flimsy feeling XE keyboards (well the 1200XL only had one keyboard variation as it was in production for mere months but many including me think it's the best of all (when it's working)

 

My first Atari was a 130XE that I had from '85 to the early 2000's, I even upgraded the springs in it with Best Electronics' 'Mega Touch' upgrade, which was a quite decent improvement, but still worse than the other Atari computers, IMHO. I got a 1200XL from somebody here on Atari age back in the early 2000's. I forget who and even if I bought it or traded for it, but once I used it's keyboard (after repairing a well known common issue with the connector between membrane and keyboard PCB-an easy fix) I fell in love with it and only held on to that old 130XE until I installed my first memory upgrade in the 1200XL, the original Rambo 256K, doubling the memory of the 130XE. Then I sold off the 130XE with it's terrible keyboard I put up with for nearly 20 years as fast as I could!

My nostalgia for the 130XE was only the computer inside, And I have never regretted my decision. I also have an 800 now too, with a great keyboard. Both machines upgraded far beyond that 130XE. Though I do thank the Tramiel's for releasing such a cheap build of a computer, that I could afford at the time that was a 6502 based 128K computer inside, which were both a must for me at the time. Otherwise I'd have bought an 800XL instead as they were on sale for half the price (but I had no idea about DIY memory upgrade kits for the XL's at the time).

 

I just thank my lucky stars that I was able to get a 1200XL years ago before their prices sky-rocketed as not only do I love the keyboard, but I love it's design and where they put everything far more than other XL's or XE's too. The only problem for me with the 1200XL was a lack of PBI/ECI, but I fixed that too! But the pre-Tramiel Atari's are just much better quality build of machines in every way as far as the cases and keyboards go.

 

I loved that 130XE and all it could do, and was even grateful for a real keyboard at the time, no matter how mushy and flimsy, becuase my first computer was a Timex/Sinclair 1000 with the tiny membrane keyboard, so the XE keyboard was worlds better as bad as it was. But once I found out how much better builds the XL's were, later in life, and was fresh out of tech school for electronics and could upgrade the XL's myself, I dropped that 130XE like a burning bag of shit and have never regretted it.

 

Sorry, I didn't expect my reply to be so long, but you and the defaced document posted both brought up the XE keyboards vs. XL and it's a subject I'm passionate about.

Edited August 14, 2021 by Gunstar

[Mazzspeed]

1 hour ago, Gunstar said:

While there were different keyboard variations/manufacturers over their life times, some better than others the 800 and 600/800/1200XL line, any one of them had better quality build and feeling keyboards than the XE line. The XE line, IIRC, has some different variations/manufacturers too, but all were worse than any other Atari 8-bit line with the possible exception of the 400's membrane keyboard, which some may even prefer over the mushy and flimsy feeling XE keyboards (well the 1200XL only had one keyboard variation as it was in production for mere months but many including me think it's the best of all (when it's working)

 

My first Atari was a 130XE that I had from '85 to the early 2000's, I even upgraded the springs in it with Best Electronics' 'Mega Touch' upgrade, which was a quite decent improvement, but still worse than the other Atari computers, IMHO. I got a 1200XL from somebody here on Atari age back in the early 2000's. I forget who and even if I bought it or traded for it, but once I used it's keyboard (after repairing a well known common issue with the connector between membrane and keyboard PCB-an easy fix) I fell in love with it and only held on to that old 130XE until I installed my first memory upgrade in the 1200XL, the original Rambo 256K, doubling the memory of the 130XE. Then I sold off the 130XE with it's terrible keyboard I put up with for nearly 20 years as fast as I could!

My nostalgia for the 130XE was only the computer inside, And I have never regretted my decision. I also have an 800 now too, with a great keyboard. Both machines upgraded far beyond that 130XE. Though I do thank the Tramiel's for releasing such a cheap build of a computer, that I could afford at the time that was a 6502 based 128K computer inside, which were both a must for me at the time. Otherwise I'd have bought an 800XL instead as they were on sale for half the price (but I had no idea about DIY memory upgrade kits for the XL's at the time).

 

I just thank my lucky stars that I was able to get a 1200XL years ago before their prices sky-rocketed as not only do I love the keyboard, but I love it's design and where they put everything far more than other XL's or XE's too. The only problem for me with the 1200XL was a lack of PBI/ECI, but I fixed that too! But the pre-Tramiel Atari's are just much better quality build of machines in every way as far as the cases and keyboards go.

 

I loved that 130XE and all it could do, and was even grateful for a real keyboard at the time, no matter how mushy and flimsy, becuase my first computer was a Timex/Sinclair 1000 with the tiny membrane keyboard, so the XE keyboard was worlds better as bad as it was. But once I found out how much better builds the XL's were, later in life, and was fresh out of tech school for electronics and could upgrade the XL's myself, I dropped that 130XE like a burning bag of shit and have never regretted it.

 

Sorry, I didn't expect my reply to be so long, but you and the defaced document posted both brought up the XE keyboards vs. XL and it's a subject I'm passionate about.

I actually find that really interesting as didn't the 1200XL have a membrane keyboard? You'd think the feel of the 1200XL would be worse than the mechanical type 1 and 2 variants available on some 800XL and 600XL's? However you're not the only person I've seen make such a comment regarding the 1200XL keyboard.

 

I know I love the type 2 keyboard on my 600XL, I was so lucky to score a machine with that keyboard.

Edited August 14, 2021 by Mazzspeed

[TGB1718]

6 hours ago, davidcalgary29 said:

When my parents bought my 800, 410, and a couple of software titles (I remember that BASIC was extra), the total came to over $800 CAD in 1983. 

I bought my 800 around the same time, 800, 410, came with BASIC, I bought ASSEMBLER/EDITOR as extra for around £450

[oo7]

2 hours ago, TGB1718 said:

I bought my 800 around the same time, 800, 410, came with BASIC, I bought ASSEMBLER/EDITOR as extra for around £450

In 1983 ataris were cheaper in North America their home base

[oo7]

4 hours ago, MrFish said:

 

That defacing can easily be removed, once the doc is scanned.

 

Very good point

[Gunstar]

3 hours ago, Mazzspeed said:

I actually find that really interesting as didn't the 1200XL have a membrane keyboard? You'd think the feel of the 1200XL would be worse than the mechanical type 1 and 2 variants available on some 800XL and 600XL's? However you're not the only person I've seen make such a comment regarding the 1200XL keyboard.

 

I know I love the type 2 keyboard on my 600XL, I was so lucky to score a machine with that keyboard.

Yes, It's a Mitsumi brand that has a double sheet (folded over on itself) mylar (which is what I think you meant, membrane is what the 400 and ZX81 had) and then there are rubber contact bubbles (like most game controllers have used under buttons for decades now) between the keys and Mylar, but somehow they just got it right, the feel is wonderful and though I do really like my 800's original mechanical HI-TEK keyboard, the 1200's Mitsumi keyboard still feels better. The last of the 800's before being discontiued in favor of the XL line also got Mitsumi keyboards, and though I've never had the pleasure, 800 owners who have them love them too.

 

I do have an 800XL with a AWC Rev. 4 keyboard in it and it feels really nice too, I haven't disassembled it to see what kind of internals it has, but it's not quite as good as the 1200XL's or my 800's but one prominent feature of the 800 and 1200XL keyboards is stepped keys, my 800XL's is flat. I've heard some had stepped keyboards too, but I haven't tried them. The angle my hands and fingers rest with the stepped keyboard is just more comfortable to me personally. The XE line has stepped keyboards too, or at least my old 130XE did, and that was the one thing about it I liked. Too bad the feel when pressing keys was so mushy and fragile feeling. I also have a 600XL, but it's packed away somewhere and I don't remember what version of keyboard it has either.

 

And God only knows how much use my 1200XL's keyboard has gotten over the decades, but I've been using it for over 15 years now and besides the connector between the Mylar and PCB I had to repair when I first got it, no keys have gone out or unresponsive like most of my over-used controller button bubbles have.  That hasn't happened yet to any of the bubble contacts on my 1200XL yet. All are nearly 3 decades old, used on a nearly daily basis the last 15+ years I've had it and the keyboard is still just wonderful. So the rubber/silicone Mitsumi used to make the bubbles is just of incredible quality since they haven't given out yet or even seem weaker. Whereas the key plungers on my HI-TEK 800 mechanical keyboard are all old and brittle and the corner crack eventually bad enough that keys start falling off one way or another and there is no fix except replacing them, which I have, with NOS plungers, but also old and brittle so they crack almost immediately too. It still works fine, but don't turn it over or keys will fall out! I had to replace the Mylar in the 130XE keyboard twice while I owned it (it doesn't use bubble plungers though, but they have rubber feet that press the double-layer Mylar together, so those don't seem to wear out, but the Mylar underneath does.

Edited August 14, 2021 by Gunstar

[+davidcalgary29]

9 hours ago, Mazzspeed said:

My Gawd that looks like my late Fathers hand writing!

 

It's interesting the hand written comment regarding the keyboard. I thought it would have taken longer for people to realize certain variants on the XL series and the original 800 were, depending on personal preference of course, somewhat better? I say based on personal preference as there may well be a number of people out there that prefer the keyboard on the XL series - Personally I've never used one so I can't comment.

 

What is that? Is it just a sales brochure, or some official sales document?

I convinced my Dad to buy an 800 after that issue of Consumer Reports came out in 1983 in which all of the home computers were tested and ranked: the 800 received the hightest score for keyboard. I told my Dad that I'd learn touch-typing with the computer, which turned out to be a lie in the end -- I ended up learning to touch-type on an old Royal manual typewriter. But I still have that 800!

[Mazzspeed]

8 hours ago, Gunstar said:

Yes, It's a Mitsumi brand that has a double sheet (folded over on itself) mylar (which is what I think you meant, membrane is what the 400 and ZX81 had) and then there are rubber contact bubbles (like most game controllers have used under buttons for decades now) between the keys and Mylar, but somehow they just got it right, the feel is wonderful and though I do really like my 800's original mechanical HI-TEK keyboard, the 1200's Mitsumi keyboard still feels better. The last of the 800's before being discontiued in favor of the XL line also got Mitsumi keyboards, and though I've never had the pleasure, 800 owners who have them love them too.

Sorry, mylar was what I meant. I find this interesting, being in Australia I've never seen a 1200XL in real life, let alone used the keyboard.

 

8 hours ago, Gunstar said:

I do have an 800XL with a AWC Rev. 4 keyboard in it and it feels really nice too, I haven't disassembled it to see what kind of internals it has, but it's not quite as good as the 1200XL's or my 800's but one prominent feature of the 800 and 1200XL keyboards is stepped keys, my 800XL's is flat. I've heard some had stepped keyboards too, but I haven't tried them. The angle my hands and fingers rest with the stepped keyboard is just more comfortable to me personally. The XE line has stepped keyboards too, or at least my old 130XE did, and that was the one thing about it I liked. Too bad the feel when pressing keys was so mushy and fragile feeling. I also have a 600XL, but it's packed away somewhere and I don't remember what version of keyboard it has either.

I'm looking at my 600XL here behind me, I'm sure the type 2 AWC keyboard is stepped, even putting a piece of A4 paper over it as a guide I think it's stepped - It looks the same as the Razor mechanical keyboard I'm typing on right now.

 

Having said that, I'm an absolutely hopeless typist, I can't touch type to save myself - However I do appreciate a nice keyboard and while I love the keyboard on my 600XL, I really have a hankering to try the keyboard on a 1200XL now.

8 hours ago, Gunstar said:

And God only knows how much use my 1200XL's keyboard has gotten over the decades, but I've been using it for over 15 years now and besides the connector between the Mylar and PCB I had to repair when I first got it, no keys have gone out or unresponsive like most of my over-used controller button bubbles have.  That hasn't happened yet to any of the bubble contacts on my 1200XL yet. All are nearly 3 decades old, used on a nearly daily basis the last 15+ years I've had it and the keyboard is still just wonderful. So the rubber/silicone Mitsumi used to make the bubbles is just of incredible quality since they haven't given out yet or even seem weaker. Whereas the key plungers on my HI-TEK 800 mechanical keyboard are all old and brittle and the corner crack eventually bad enough that keys start falling off one way or another and there is no fix except replacing them, which I have, with NOS plungers, but also old and brittle so they crack almost immediately too. It still works fine, but don't turn it over or keys will fall out! I had to replace the Mylar in the 130XE keyboard twice while I owned it (it doesn't use bubble plungers though, but they have rubber feet that press the double-layer Mylar together, so those don't seem to wear out, but the Mylar underneath does.

My 600XL actually uses the mylar ribbon, which is a little bit of a pain as it's wide and fairly inflexible, meaning it clashes with the top of my U1MB that's mounted over the PBI bus port and if care isn't taken upon reassembly it actually pushes the console keys up at weird angles. I can get things to fit, but it's not ideal.

 

If it ever fails, I think I'll do FJC's mod using ribbon cable. But everything works and looks fine from the outside right now so I'm happy. Thanks for the information.

 

7 hours ago, davidcalgary29 said:

I convinced my Dad to buy an 800 after that issue of Consumer Reports came out in 1983 in which all of the home computers were tested and ranked: the 800 received the hightest score for keyboard. I told my Dad that I'd learn touch-typing with the computer, which turned out to be a lie in the end -- I ended up learning to touch-type on an old Royal manual typewriter. But I still have that 800!

I think as kids in the day where computers were a bit of a luxury item and not commonplace we all used some 'educational' excuse to get our parents to buy us our first computers. I mustn't have been terribly good at it as I had to buy my first computer off a school friend!