A 130 XE with a better keyboard would be a great machine.

Out of all of the Atari 8 bits, the original 800 is my favorite. Even though it only has 48K of RAM. Also, it has half the intensity levels which gives 128 colors (vs. 256). But, that 256 isn't exactly accurate considering some of the intensities are very close.

The 800 just has a sturdy feel. Awesome keyboard and it screams Atari. See my other post about Atari 800 being built like a tank.

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Cat; the other white meat.

I had an 800, but I think the 800XL is a better machine this day and age unless you need the 4 joystick ports. It's smaller, more tightly built, etc.

As with many things, I know myself better than to try and pick one of these up. I looked at them on an off over the years. Sure, might be fun to play a bit of Star Raiders and what not, for a little while.

But, in the end, wanting is better than having -- so I'm just content to visit from afar.

The 800 XL is certainly a more practical machine in 2018. More support, more RAM, etc. But the 800 is much better built IMHO. I like the style better. And that Buick-sized steal RF cage is a site to behold.




Yeah, we collect for different reasons (or not collect at all). I also collect NES games. I have over 200. Yet, I rarely play them. Just fun having them I suppose.

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Cat; the other white meat.

Attached is the list of prices I compiled by watching eBay auctions. I finally won an auction on an 800 XL in mint condition that was listed as working. I figured the selling price shipped would be $150 - $160, but I got sick of losing by a dollar or two so I overbid on this one. I ended up winning for $178 shipped, which is at worst an over-payment of $18 - $28.

What kind of sample size did you take? I've bought a 1050 not too long ago for about $30 plus shipping. And it was in excellent condition. It was the drive only so I suppose if it were in a box with everything mint it would top the $100 mark.

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Cat; the other white meat.

The lowest and highest were single auction events. To get a median price I tried to watch at least six auctions. For example I saw one 1050 sell for $150, and another for $40, but there weren't enough 1050 auctions to develop a median. I saw only one 65 XE sale, while 400, 800, and 800 XL sales were common place.

Also, the higher priced 1050 may have been modded as I saw a few of those.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-1050-Dis ... SwzrBarmMc

Grats on your new system. Hope you enjoy it.