Atari 400/800
Computer Systems

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        This is where the Atari computer systems all began.    The original prototypes that were to become known as the Atari 400 and Atari 800 computers were originally called in Atari during the prototype stages as "OZ" Computers.    Later on after the prototypes received their official names, the Atari 400 was nicknamed "Candy" and the Atari 800 was nicknamed "Colleen".     The Atari 400 was meant to be a beginners system for young children.   Its touch sensitive membrane keyboard was to help keep children from dropping food, drinks and small objects in between the keys which would have damaged the keyboard.   Its design was simple and elegant with its attractive wedge shape, to the simple flip-up cartridge port the Atari 400 was a cute and fun 16K beginners computer.    The Atari 800 was for the more serious minded home computer user.   With its full stroke keyboard to its dual cartridge ports and expansion slots the Atari 800 was meant to be a powerful, useful and expandable system, even its OS board could be easily removed and replaced with newer and more powerful Operating Systems.    The Atari 800 initially came with 8K of memory and was quickly upgraded to a standard 16K, then Atari sold the system with a full 48K and offered current owners free upgrades at authorized Atari Service Centers.    The Atari 800 was a truly wonderful home computer system.

        During the years of 1979 through 1982 while the Atari 400/800 computers were sold, many enhancements were sold for these computers.   Such enhancements included replacement keyboards for the Atari 400,  Memory upgrades from 16K to 1MB, 80 Column video cards,  Operating System Replacements, Networkable hard drives, and many many other enhancements.   (There was even a rumor of an actual modem card that went into Slot #3 on the Atari 800).