1400XL

The Atari 1400XL was a planned successor to the 1200XL, designed in 1983 as part of Atari’s second-generation XL series. It was intended to be a premium 8-bit home computer with built-in modem and speech synthesis, while maintaining the elegant design of the 1200XL. Like its siblings, it used the 6502C CPU, 64KB of RAM, and featured the ANTIC, GTIA, and POKEY chips for advanced graphics and sound. While several working prototypes were produced and press previews were held, the 1400XL was cancelled before release due to restructuring at Atari and the looming video game crash. Today, surviving prototypes are rare and valuable collector’s items.The Atari 1400XL was a planned successor to the 1200XL, designed in 1983 as part of Atari’s second-generation XL series. It was intended to be a premium 8-bit home computer with built-in modem and speech synthesis, while maintaining the elegant design of the 1200XL. Like its siblings, it used the 6502C CPU, 64KB of RAM, and featured the ANTIC, GTIA, and POKEY chips for advanced graphics and sound. While several working prototypes were produced and press previews were held, the 1400XL was cancelled before release due to restructuring at Atari and the looming video game crash. Today, surviving prototypes are rare and valuable collector’s items.

📦 Notable Features

• First Atari 8-bit with built-in modem (300 baud, Bell 103 compatible)
• Included speech synthesis hardware via Votrax SC-01 chip
• Intended as a step up from the 1200XL with improved I/O and communications
• OS refinements added better device support and diagnostics
• Cancelled before retail release due to management shifts at Atari

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🧑‍🔬 Historical Significance

• Represents Atari’s attempt to move into communications and education markets
• Preceded later Atari efforts at integrated systems (e.g., the 1450XLD)
• Prototypes featured in trade shows and press previews (e.g., Creative Computing)
• Some OS changes and hardware design elements passed into later XL/XE machines
• Highly prized among collectors — surviving units are extremely rare

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💡 Collector's Notes

• Rarity: Extremely rare — prototype only
• Desirability: Very high among Atari historians and hardware collectors
• Common Issues (prototypes):
  • Non-functional modem or speech chips
  • Case yellowing or brittle plastic
  • Unstable early ROMs or unpopulated modem boards
• Display Tips: Best displayed with documentation or mock packaging; often paired with 1200XL or 1450XLD for historical context

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	1400XL
Manufacturer	Atari
Launched	Friday, July 1, 1983
Discontinued	Cancelled before launch (late 1983)
Launch Price	N/A – never commercially released
Country	United States
CPU	MOS 6502C @ 1.79 MHz (NTSC)
Units Sold	Fewer than 50 prototypes (estimated)
Power	External PSU with internal regulation
Storage	Cassette and disk drive support via SIO
Expansion	SIO port for standard peripherals
Cartridge Slot	1 × front cartridge bay
Modem	Built-in 300 baud modem with RJ-11 jack
Keyboard	Full-stroke 61-key keyboard with function keys
Sound	4-channel POKEY audio, plus speech synthesis chip (SC-01)
Graphics	Player/Missile graphics, fine scrolling, color controls
Display	ANTIC + GTIA: up to 320×192 resolution, 16 colors
ROM	24KB (new XL OS with built-in BASIC and device handlers)
RAM	64KB