Atari 800 User Manual

8 User's Handbook to the Atari 400/ 800 Computers
memory of the Atari 400 is more or less fixed. Also, with the Atari
800, a video monitor can be used for video output as well as a
regular television set. With the Atari 400, only a regular television
set can be used for video output. A video monitor offers a more
detailed picture than a regular television set. Also, the Atari 800
has a typewriter style keyboard while the Atari 400 has a flat panel
with the keys outlined on it. Finally, the Atari 800 allows two
accessory cartridges to be plugged in, while the Atari 400 allows
only one.
However, the Atari 400 does have one major advantage--it costs
less than the Atari 800.
From hereon, we will refer to both the Atari 400 and 800
collectively as the Atari, unless a distincion between the two is
necessary. Whenever we refer to one model, the reader can
assume that
the concept applies to the other model as well,
unless
we specify otherwise.
Illustration 1-1. Atari 800 Computer

Atari 800 Specifications

General

Processor	MOS Technology 6502
Processor Speed	1.79 MHz
ROM	10 KB
Graphics	ANTIC and GTIA chips
Release Year	1979
Display Resolution	up to 320 x 192
Colors	128 colors
Sound	4 channels
Storage	Cartridge, cassette, floppy disk
Ports	Cartridge, serial, monitor
Operating System	Atari OS