Abstract:
The classic home computer Atari 800XL, born in 1983, is about to return to the market. The new "THE 800XL" not only retains the original's iconic design and full-size keyboard, but also adds modern interfaces, pre-installed games, and a functioning cartridge slot. Among the many retro elements, perhaps the most eye-catching thing is that users can once again write software by themselves through Atari BASIC.
This product was designed and developed by Retro Games Ltd. and manufactured and distributed by PLAION REPLAI under license from Atari. Pre-orders are currently open, priced at US$219.99 in the United States, and shipments are scheduled to begin on April 23, 2027.
The original Atari 800XL was launched in 1983 and featured 64KB of memory, a full-size keyboard, and specialized graphics and sound chips. In the personal computer market at that time, it had both game entertainment and computer learning functions, and became one of the important platforms for many families to access digital technology.
The new THE 800XL continues the classic low-profile body design, is equipped with a 57-key mechanical keyboard, and retains a practical cassette slot. At the same time, in order to adapt to modern equipment, it adds an HDMI video output interface, eliminating common compatibility issues when old computers are connected to modern monitors.
In terms of display, the device supports 50Hz PAL and 60Hz NTSC output modes, while providing 4:3 traditional aspect ratio and pixel-level accurate display options. For users who are looking for a nostalgic experience, they can also enable CRT display filters to restore the visual effects of picture tube TVs from the 1980s.
The body is equipped with four USB-A interfaces that can connect controllers and USB storage devices, and power is supplied through the USB-C interface. The package comes with an HDMI cable and a USB-C power cable, but users still need to prepare their own adapters.
Atari also comes with an upgraded version of the classic joystick "THECXSTICK" in the package. This controller continues the appearance style of the classic CX40 joystick, while adding eight function buttons to meet the needs of modern use.
In addition to hardware upgrades, THE 800XL also comes pre-installed with 25 classic games, allowing players to experience retro content right out of the box. More importantly, the device has a built-in Atari BASIC programming environment, so users can not only run games, but also write, save and run their own programs just like in the early home computer era.
Officially, the goal of THE 800XL is not only to reproduce the appearance of a classic computer, but also to restore the complete experience of owning a home computer as much as possible. In today's era dominated by smartphones and cloud services, this product attempts to bring users back to the enlightenment era when they entered codes on the keyboard and explored the computer world.
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