This is not a replica, but a new incarnation of the best 8-bit computer from Atari in 1983. It has a wonderful design that has survived to this day and still captivates a huge fan base. Its excellent technical capabilities surpassed competitive products at the time of its creation.
The RM 800XL is a transfer of the original design with all of its fantastic features into the 21st century. It is a combination of tradition and modernity at a level that has not been achieved by anyone before.
Apparently there was a zoom meeting in Polish... english translation below
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I did a summary for non-polish speakers:
- 6502 FPGA (not asic but true FPGA chip) - additional CPU instructions (like 'bra') FROM 6502 series - more than 1MB RAM (like 4MB+) - pokey stereo (covox in the thinking) - all original Atari signals (like SIO audio) are included - all peripherals will work (like SIDE3 or AVG CART) - generally 100% compatible with original 800XL - all USB controllers going to work (from bootleg ones to PS5 controllers) - can use usb dongle for internet connection (for XL/XE) - they try to avoid cheap chinese parts
- can use pendrive as storage data (similar to microsd carts in other projects) - no problems with any patents (they checked), almost all are public (auto released because 25 years) - can use both video outs and the same time (svideo and hdmi)
- gamestate saves going to be in the system (and other cool features like this) - nothing yet about RISC CPU and how we can use it - two starting modes: original 800XL or improved with UI (more information later) - some built-in games (like Laura and more)
- production in EU (not in China) - confirmed 2024 release date (not Q1) - no kickstarter etc (in house funding)
- project is for some earnings but main idea is "create new cool atari for the community" - after initial full release, after a while - all going to be open sourced - price: TBA (but promising not making it very high) - possible other machines in future (after RM800XL)
- there going to be a big announcement for the project and it should make the community excited (TBA)
A lot of chatter everywhere about having added memory, sd, FujiNet, etc options. For those that want that, those options exist today, seek it out. This device should keep it simple and focus on 100% compatibility with the original hardware. It can always be expanded with the many device add ons available ( yeah, yeah, except where they get soldered in, but again, different device for that need). KISS method. Just my .02.
I definitely want one!!!
Hopefully it will have some sort of memory extension as well. Would be crazy to be limited to 64K.
If they have a good price point and keep up with the demand, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a drop in original Atari 800XL prices. 😁 -JP
How about building in a FujiNet, or having an option for one? Although, I suppose you should be able to use your existing FujiNet on the SIO port. An internal option for it would be nice though, as FujiNet is a de-facto peripheral for the Atari 8-bit these days.
I think they might be using one of the usb ports for storage as a hard drive. At least that is how I would view it.
I want one...
The only thing they didn't include, and I'm a little surprise, is some form of internal HD like SD or CF.
Interesting. It looks like they've put a lot of time and effort into recreating it.
I wonder, since it's FPGA and RISC, if they've allowed over-clocking? Also
curious to see what the final release price will be.