Atari ST
The Atari ST was the first TOS machine developed by Atari Corporation, being released in 1985. For the time, the ST featured a powerful processor, a large amount of memory, a colourful display, and an easy-to-use GUI operating system, all for a very cheap price. These attributes all contributed to ST representing a significant evolution in the personal computer market, and consequently it was a massive commercial success. Without this success, the TOS Family would not have existed.
Features
- CPU - MC68000 @ 8mhz, as with all revisions in the ST family
- Memory - 512KB in the first signifcant base model, the 520 (although some early 260 models existed with only 256KB of memory). The 1040ST was equipped with 1MB of RAM
- Operating System - TOS
- Graphics. Please see ST Video Modes
- describe original ST chipset in some detail in bullet points here
Revisions
- ST
- ST (As ST, but with factory fitted 1MB 'piggyback' upgrade)
- STM - The M signifying the built in RF modulator for output to television sets. The STM was the last small form factor ST - all subsequent ST's had built in power supplies.
- STF - The F signifies a built in floppy drive
- STFM - Floppy, Modulator
- Mega ST - aimed more at the professional and business market
- STE
- Mega STE
- Please see Atari ST motherboard revisions
Impact
- It was a success, explain why - price, power. Influence, competition with Amiga
History
- Discuss development politics, Sam Tramiel leaving Atari, all that stuff