1200XL

The 1200XL is a personal computer released by Atari in 1982. It was part of the Atari XL series of computers, succeeding the Atari 8-bit line. The 1200XL featured an upgraded 6502C microprocessor running at 1.79 MHz, a significant increase over its predecessors. It also came with 64 KB of RAM, expandable to 192 KB.

One of the key improvements in the 1200XL was its redesigned keyboard, which was more ergonomic and included dedicated cursor keys, a feature often missing or awkwardly implemented on earlier home computers. The computer also boasted enhanced graphics and sound capabilities, offering more colors and improved audio compared to previous Atari models.

The 1200XL introduced a new operating system, the Atari BASIC XL, which provided a more robust BASIC programming environment. It also included a built-in handler for the Atari 1050 disk drive, further streamlining its use. Despite its technical advancements, the 1200XL had a relatively short production run. Atari focused on refining and releasing successor models like the 800XL and the XE series, which incorporated many of the 1200XL's innovations and achieved greater commercial success. The 1200XL is considered a transitional model that bridged the gap between the original Atari 8-bit computers and their more advanced successors.