Atari Mega/STE

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The Atari Mega STE was Atari Corporation's last ST series machine. Taking something from all the 680x0-based machines they had produced, they had the idea to create a more business-like version of their main machine using the new features of the STE, the actual case designed for the TT, plus some other features.

Description

The MEGA STE is based on STE hardware. Physically, the 2 MB and 4 MB models shipped with a high resolution mono monitor, and an internal ACSI hard disk (the 1 MB model included neither a monitor, hard disk, nor hard disk controller). Despite offering better ST compatibility than the TT, it also included a number of TT features, from the ST-grey version of the TT case with separate keyboard and system unit, optional FPU, a VMEbus slot, two extra RS232 ports (all 9-pin rather than 25-pin as previous models had), a LocalTalk/RS-422 port (no AppleTalk software was ever produced) and a 1.44 MB HD floppy support. Support for a third/middle mouse button was included, too.

A unique feature of the MEGA STE was the software-switchable CPU speed, which could run at 16 MHz, or 8 MHz for better compatibility with old software. An upgrade to the OS was also included, initially shipping with TOS 2.0 and later 2.6/2.06.

VME bus brought some interesting boards enhancing the computuer's capabilities such as graphic cards or Ethernet connection.

Technical specifications

    * CPU: Motorola 68000 @ 8 or 16 MHz
    * FPU: Motorola 68881 or Motorola 68882
    * RAM: 1, 2 or 4 MB ST RAM expandable to 4 MB using 30-pin SIMMs
    * Sound: Yamaha YM2149 + enhanced sound chip same as in STe
    * Drive: 720 KB (first MEGA STE version) or 1.44 MB (later version) 3½" floppy disk drive
    * Ports: MIDI In/Out, 3 x RS-232, "Serial LAN" LocalTalk/RS-422, printer, monitor (RGB and Mono), RF modulator, extra disk drive port, ACSI port, VMEbus inside case, detachable keyboard, joystick and mouse ports on keyboard
    * Operating System: TOS (The Operating System) with the Graphical Environment Manager (GEM) graphical user interface (GUI) TOS versions: 2.05 in ROM or 2.06 in ROM
    * Display modes: 320×200 (16 color), 640×200 (4 colours), 640×400 (mono)
    * Case: Two-piece desktop-style.
    * Release date: 1991
Information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_MEGA_STE

Kindly donated by Paula from Norfolk.

Manufacturer: Atari
Date: 1991



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Atari Mega/STE Manuals:

Item Manufacturer Date
Atari ST Computer Owners Manual Atari 1986
Atari ST BASIC Sourcebook & Tutorial Atari 1986
Atari ST Engineering Hardware Specification & GemDOS BIOS Specification MTL Microtechnology Limited 7 Jan 1986
User Manual for the Atari ST Atari 15 Jun 1987
Atari ST BASIC Sourcebook and Tutorial (Revised Edition) Atari Nov 1988
AMOS 3D User Guide Mandarin Software 1990
AMOS Compiler User Guide Mandarin Software 1991

Magazines RELATED to Atari Mega/STE in our Library

Item Manufacturer Date
Practical Computing - June 1988 Unknown
Practical Computing - September 1988 Unknown
MAG183 St Action Unknown
Computer Shopper April 1986 Apr 1986
Personal Computer World - September 1986 1 Sep 1986
Your Computer - November 1986 Nov 1986
Personal Computer World - January 1987 1 Jan 1987
Personal Computer World - February 1987 1 Feb 1987
Personal Computer World - June 1987 1 Jun 1987
Practical Computing - August 1987 Aug 1987
Personal Computer World - October 1987 1 Oct 1987
Personal Computer World - November 1987 Nov 1987
PC World Focus March 1989 Number 1 Personal Computer World Mar 1989
Personal Computer World - May 1989 1 May 1989
Personal Computer World - June 1989 1 Jun 1989
Personal Computer World - July 1989 Jul 1989
Personal Computer World - August 1989 1 Aug 1989
Personal Computer World - October 1989 Oct 1989
Personal Computer World - November 1989 1 Nov 1989
Personal Computer World - December 1989 1 Dec 1989
Personal Computer World - February 1990 1 Feb 1990
Personal Computer World - January 1995 Jan 1995
Edge - Issue 200 - April 2009 Future Publishing Apr 2009
Acorn User - November 1988 27 May 2009
Acorn User - February 1989 27 May 2009

Catalogues RELATED to Atari Mega/STE in our Library

Item Manufacturer Date
Seven Disk - Atari ST Public Domain Software Catalogue - Autumn/Winter 1991 Seven Disk 1 Dec 1991

Other Systems Related To Atari Mega/STE:

Item Manufacturer Date
Atari 800 with Programmer Kit Atari Inc 1st January 1979
Atari 400 with Aftermarket Keyboard Atari November 1979
Atari 800 Atari November 1979
Atari 400 Atari November 1979
Centipede Arcade Cabinet Atari 1980
Atari 1200XL Atari 1982
Atari 800XL Atari 1983
Atari 600XL Atari June 1983
Atari 520 STFM Atari 1985
Atari 65XE Atari 1985
Atari 520ST (boxed) + External hard drive + software Atari 1985
Atari 520 STM Atari 1st January 1985
Atari 1040 STE Atari 1986
Atari 520 STM Atari 12th September 1986
Atari Mega ST 2 Atari 1987
Atari ST Mega 1040 Tower Power Atari 1988
Atari 1040STFM Atari 1989
Atari 1040STFM (David Arnold) Atari 1989
Atari 520 STE Atari 1989
Atari 1040STF Atari 1989
Atari Portfolio Atari 1989
Atari Stacy 2 Atari 9th December 1989
Atari Mega 4 Atari 1990
Atari TT030 Atari 1990
Atari Falcon Atari 1990

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH2577. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

 

Atari Mega/STE

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