Atari family - ATARI XEGS
In a change of marketing strategy, Atari introduced the new XE Game System in 1987. Despite its label, the XEGS is a true 8-bit Atari computer system. It offers the convenience of a detachable keyboard and built-in Missile Command game,
while offering 64K RAM and full compatibility w
ith the 65XE. It was packaged with the Light Gun, and the Flight Simulator II and Bug Hunt cartridges.
Keyboard connected/no cartridge: boots to Atari BASIC Keyboard connected/no cartridge/[Select] held down at startup: boots to Missile Command No keyboard connected/no cartridge: boots to Missile Command No keyboard connected/no cartridge/[Select]
held down at startup: boots from disk drive No keyboard connected/no cartridge/[Select]+[Start] held down at startup: boots from tape drive [Option] held down at startup = BASIC on [Option] not pressed at startup = BASIC off
(opposite from all other XL/XE machines). The XE Game System was discontinued in 1992.
Image, description and specification taken with permission by
Additionally, description also retrieved from page maintained by Michael D. Current!
| System unit | Description |
| Processor | MOS 6502C |
| Clock speed | 1.79 MHz (NTSC) / 1.77 MHz (PAL) |
| RAM | 64 KB |
| ROM | 24 KB (16 KB for OS, 8 KB for Atari BASIC) |
| O.S. version(s) | XE O.S. |
| Built-in software | Atari Basic Revision C, Missile Command game, Self Test |
| Colors | 16 colors with 16 intensity level each |
| Sound | 4 voices, 3.5 octaves (POKEY chip) |
| Text modes | Five text modes, max: 40 x 24, min: 20 x 12 |
| Graphics modes | 16 graphic modes, maximum: 320 x 192 pixels |
| Co-processor | GTIA (video output, sprites), POKEY (sound, I/O), ANTIC (video, display lists), FREDDY |
| I/O ports | Composite video output, Cartridge port (1 Adress space : 16 KB), Expansion port, SIO peripheral port (tape, disk, printer, modem), 2 x joystick connectors |
| Controller port(s) | 2 |
| Parallel Bus Interface | Enhanced Cartridge Port instead of Parallel Bus Interface |
| Power supply | External power supply unit (1A, 5v cc) |
| Keyboard | Same as Atari XE line, detachable, full-stroke keyboard, 57 keys, 5 function keys (Help, Start, Select, Option, Reset) |
| Cosmetics | Grey casing, oval console key stroke |
