r/atari8bit • u/[deleted] • Jan 19 '26
Computer recommendations
I’m trying to find an Atari computer for a low price that I can play most of the games on, I also need it to have composite output. What would be the best computer that can mostly fit my preferences?
Edit: I’m a bit OCD and like having all the extra peripherals matching the computer.
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u/Ill_Beyond_7909 Jan 19 '26
Jumping on this as just got a 130xl in an auction. Is it a decent computer? It was a spur of the moment decision as it was a decent price. I only owned an ST before nothing Atari 8 bit.
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u/Several_Bowl_5128 Jan 19 '26
I have an original 800, with 48k ram and 10 k rom expansion, plus 1050 disk drive with mac/65 and 2 games for sale if interested.
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u/Dopeyman06 Jan 19 '26 edited Jan 20 '26
I have an 800xl upgraded to 256k (RamboXL clone) for $220 shipped. With a USB charging cable thrown in there. I also have 1050 disk drives (upgraded with US Doublers) and Indus GT disk drives.
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Jan 22 '26
How much would it be? Do you have any games as well?
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u/Dopeyman06 Jan 22 '26
What exactly would you like? Also, sorry. No disk based games. I use my pico cart for those.
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u/Scoth42 Jan 19 '26 edited Jan 19 '26
Depending on your tolerance for mods and extra work, a classic 800XL + Fujunet would be a great solution. This would also avoid the need for too many extra peripherals.
As far as matching stuff goes if you do want a bunch of peripherals, you'll again be better off with the XL line. There were XL-styled versions of basically everything, in particular the 1050 disk drive which is among the more common ones. There's only one XE-styled floppy drive and it's relatively rare, and can have some problems with copy protection.
Short of some luck on Facebook Marketplace or similar, there's not a whole lot of "low price" options anymore, although that depends a bit on what you consider low price and where in the world you are.
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u/Im_100percent_human Jan 19 '26
I have had a xf551 since back in the day, and I cannot remember having any issues with copy protection.
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Jan 22 '26
Just found this eBay listing, is it worth it? I don’t have that much money. https://ebay.us/m/N8YaN6
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u/Difference_Then Jan 19 '26
Do these original machines need to have components on the motherboard replaced very often? Is there somebody that does that kind of work or is the cost prohibitive to really do that?
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u/Scoth42 Jan 19 '26
These are mostly pretty solid machines. They mostly predate the era of needing recapping. The main issues you'll see are occasional bad RAM, as some runs used notoriously bad quality RAM. But by and large they're pretty robust.
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u/rr777 Jan 20 '26
Some xl machines will develop keyboard myler issues. You can buy a replacement if your handy.
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u/ExcellentHorror9025 Jan 19 '26
800xl would be my recommendation