ATARI 520ST Computer
Product information
On Sale
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Description
Circa 1985
A landmark home computer known for its built-in MIDI capabilities and graphical user interface. This example
is an original model with an external floppy drive and power supply unit.
Overview:
- Operating System: The only compatible operating system was TOS (The Operating System), which incorporated Digital Research's GEM (Graphics Environment Manager) for its bitmapped color graphical user interface. Early models required the OS to be booted from a floppy disk, while later versions (like the 520STM and subsequent models) included TOS in ROM.
- Use Case: The 520ST was popular with a wide range of users, including professionals, businesses, and hobbyists, for tasks such as gaming, desktop publishing, and CAD. Its most notable application was in the music industry; the integrated MIDI ports made it incredibly popular for music sequencing and controlling electronic instruments, a feature previously exclusive to expensive dedicated systems.
- Historical Significance: The ATARI 520ST is historically significant as one of the first widely accessible and affordable personal computers with a bitmapped color graphical user interface. It competed directly with the APPLE Macintosh and the COMMODORE Amiga, offering "power without the price" and helping to save the newly formed ATARI Corporation after Jack Tramiel's takeover. Its built-in MIDI ports revolutionized electronic music production by making it accessible to a much broader audience.
Included Accessories:
- ATARI Color Monitor
- ATARI 3.5-Inch Floppy Disk Drive
- ATARI Mouse
- ATARI Computer External Power Supply
- ATARI Floppy Drive External Power Supply
Accessories Available Separately:
- Printers
- External Speakers
- Cables
- 3.5-Inch Floppy Disks