The 1040ST, released in 1986 with 1 MB of RAM, was the first home computer with a cost-per-kilobyte of less than US$1. It is part of a mid-1980s generation of computers with 16- or 32-bit processors, 256 KB or more of RAM, and mouse-controlled graphical user interfaces. (Other examples include the Macintosh, Amiga, Apple IIGS, and Acorn Archimedes.)
In late 1989, Atari released the 520STE and 1040STE (also written STE), enhanced version of the ST with improvements to the multimedia hardware and operating system. It features an increased color palette of 4,096 colors from the ST’s 512 (though the maximum displayable palette of these without programming tricks was still limited to 16 in the lowest 320×200 resolution, and even fewer in higher resolutions), Genlock support, and a blitter co-processor (stylized as “BLiTTER”) which can quickly move large blocks of data (most particularly, graphics data) around in RAM. The STE was the first Atari with PCM audio; using a new chip, it added the ability to play back 8-bit (signed) samples at 6258 Hz, 12517 Hz, 25033 Hz and even 50066 Hz, via DMA (Direct Memory Access). RAM was now much more simply upgradable via SIMMs.
- NAME : 1040 STe
- MANUFACTURER : Atari
- TYPE : Home Computer
- ORIGIN : U.S.A.
- YEAR 1989
- KEYBOARD : Full-stroke keyboard with editing and numeric keypads
- CPU : Motorola MC 68000
- SPEED : 8 mHz
- RAM : 4 x SIMM sockets – From 512 KB up to 4 Mb
- ROM : 192 KB (256 KB in later versions)
- TEXT MODES : 40 or 80 chars. x 25 lines (bitmapped graphics)
- GRAPHIC MODES : 320 x 200 (16 colors) / 640 x 200 (4 colors) / 640 x 400 (monochrome)
- COLOURS 4096
- SOUND : 3 voices + 1 noise channel, 8 octaves + two 8 bit PCM channels
- I/O PORTS : Cartridge, Midi (in, out), Centronics, RS232c, Hard Disk, Floppy disk, RGB, Joystick, mouse, 2 x analogue controllers, Stereo RCA jacks
- BUILT IN MEDIA : 3.5” disk-drive
- OS : TOS + GEM
Version – PAL Atari 1040STE
Rating – Loose
Condition – Hardware – 7/10
Accessories – AV Cable, Power cable, Mouse
Paid – £40 (Cash Converters, Untested)