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From: Flash@UMass.BITNET (Rick Flashman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: News Announcement!!!
Message-ID: <870109212520.0000099C.AONM.MA@UMass>
Date: Fri, 9-Jan-87 21:25:20 EST
Article-I.D.: UMass.870109212520.0000099C.AONM.MA
Posted: Fri Jan  9 21:25:20 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 10-Jan-87 02:42:18 EST
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The ARPA Internet
Lines: 48


     Just read a press release from CES in Las Vegas dated Jan. 8.
Basically, it says the following:

o  Atari announced a new line of ST computers. They are being dubbed
   "Mega STs 1, 2 and 4". Seems that the number tells you how much
    RAM (in megs) each one has. They come in a brand-new design case
    with a built in 800K 3.5" drive. The computer also has a detachable
    keyboard. The prices were not mentioned, but the cheapest should
    start at $1000. The "system unit" with the drive is about 22"
    square and 2" high. Houses the drive, cpu and power supply. All
    standard ST ports are there. It is meant for the monitor to be
    stacked on top. Contains a re-defined motherboard. A battery
    powered clock card is built in. It supposedly allows internall
    and externall expansion by means of plug in circuit boards.
    And there is even a mention that Atari will soon be releasing a
    16 meg and networking capability upgrades!! The keyboard comes
    with a coiled cord and pop-open legs.

    (There was no mention of the blitter chip, but the mention of an
     internal card expansion slot makes me think this is for the
     blitter chip.)

o   Also announced was a new laser printer. ($1500) It has no controller
    and is software driven from the ST. "prototype" so prepare to wait
    for this one. Another mention seems to say that you need a 2 meg
    ST to be able to run it. Hmmm, considering that laser printers
    WITH a controller sell for $1,895 and Apple is coming out with a
    "mini" printer for $2,000 with a controller. I think Atari might
    either lower the price a bit, or add a controller.

o   An Atari PC (I guess the emulator got soooo good, they decided to
    sell it by itself!) It comes with 512K of ram expandable to 640k.
    Same box as an MEGA ST. $499 for one without the monitor. Built
    in 5 1/4 drive. detachable xt-style keyboard and 256K of graphics
    dedicated ram. A costum chip has been included that supports ALL
    graphic modes. (EGA, CGA, IBM MONO, and Hercules) A Microsoft
    compatible mouse port and mouse are included too. A monochrome
    monitor that supports ALL graphic modes was also announced. It
    also runs at either 4.77MHZ or 8MHZ. and a socket for a co-processor.

o   Also a new slim 20 meg hard drive. It probably is slim-designed
    to fit right under the monitor and on top of the MEGA ST case.

Rick Flashman                         Flash@UMASS.BITNET
1040 N. Pleasant St. #381             Flash%UMASS.BITNET@WISCVM.WISC.EDU
Amherst, MA  01002                    R-FLASHMAN on GENIE
(413) 549-0173