Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!rutgers!ames!ucbcad!ucbvax!UMass.BITNET!Flash 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