Atari's Home Computer Division (HCD) introduced the new replacement computer to its ageing Atari 400/800 line. The machine brought to Atari's home computer's line a high-tech and sleek low profile modern look. The case design and the "XL Look" were created by Regan Cheng of Atari's Industrial Design group.

The all new design took the 7 separate boards that made up the Atari 800 (Main, Power, CPU, OS and 3 16K Memory boards) and integrated them into a single motherboard with 64K of memory. The system also brought with it probably the best keyboard for any Atari system.    

Released in late 1982, the 1200XL was an odd hybrid of features from the Sweet 8/16 projects. Notable features were 64 KB of RAM, built-in self test, the aforementioned redesigned keyboard (featuring four function keys and a HELP key), and redesigned cable port layout. In general terms the 1200XL most closely matched the "high end" Sweet 16 concept.

However the 1200XL also included a number of missing or poorly implemented features. The PBI expansion connector from the original 1000X design was left off, making the design rely entirely on SIO again. Frustrating this was the fact that the +12V pin in the SIO port was left unconnected; only +5V power was available although some devices made use of the +12V line. An improved video circuit provided more chroma for a more colourful image, but the chroma line was not connected to the monitor port, the only place that could make use of it. Even the re-arrangement of the ports made some joysticks and cartridges difficult or impossible to use. Changes made to the operating system to support the new hardware also resulted in compatibility problems with some older software that did not follow published guidelines.

The 1200XL ended up with functionality similar to the existing 800, but at a hefty price point. For all of these reasons the 1200XL sold poorly. There is an often-repeated story, perhaps apocryphal, that 800 sales shot up after the release of the 1200XL, as existing owners tried to snap them up before they disappeared. The machine was discontinued in 1983. There was no PAL version of the 1200XL.

ORIGIN: U.S.A.
YEAR: 1982
KEYBOARD: Full stroke keyboard + function keys
CPU: MOS 6502C
SPEED: 1.79 MHz
CO-PROCESSOR: GTIA (video output, sprites), POKEY (sound, I/O), ANTIC (video, display lists)
RAM: 64 KB
ROM: 16 KB (the Basic is on a cartridge)
TEXT MODES: five text modes, max: 40 x 24, min: 20 x 12
GRAPHIC MODES: 12 graphic modes, maximum : 320 x 192
COLOUR: screen 16 colors with 16 intensities
SOUND: four channels, 3.5 octaves
I/O PORTS: Monitor (RGB) video output, RF TV output (to switch box), Cartridge slot, Peripheral connector, 2 x Joystick connectors
BUILT IN MEDIA: None
POWER SUPPLY: External power supply unit
PRICE: $599.99 (USA, June 1983). This was not sold in the UK as it was not compatible with the PAL system

Our 1200XL has a serial number of 72R DA 05686 173 and was very kindly donated by Alan Hunter.

Manufacturer: Atari
Date: 1982

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH22449. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.