What is the Atari 800XL?
Released in 1983 as a replacement for the 800 and 1200XL, the 800XL is the high-end version of the 600XL. The 600XL/800XL include most of the features of the 1200XL minus the Function keys and the demo program. But both the 800XL and 600XL have the Atari BASIC language built-in. In addition, these two systems offer the Parallel Bus Interface (PBI), providing fast parallel access to the heart of the computer. The 800XL contains 64K RAM. Normally boots with Atari BASIC (Rev. B, or late models with Rev. C) enabled; Hold down [Option] on startup to boot without BASIC. The 800XL lacks separate chroma video signal (exeception next paragraph). There was a late version of the 800XL in Europe, called 800XLF. The 800XLF includes a redesigned motherboard (the XE design) and contains FREDDIE for memory management and has chroma output. BASIC is Revision C. Though Atari never disclosed sales figures, the 800XL was likely the most-sold of all 8-bit Atari computer models. The 800XL was discontinued i
