In a change of marketing strategy, Atari introduced the new XE video game
system in 1987.  The XE system is a true 8-bit Atari computer system.  It
offers the convenience of a detachable keyboard and built-in Missile Command
game, while offering 64K RAM and full compatibility with the XL/XE computers.
FREDDIE memory management chip included.

The full XE Video Game System package included Keyboard, Light Gun, joystick,
and the Flight Simulator II and Bug Hunt cartridges.
http://www.mr-atari.com/afbeeldingen/systems/xegamesystem.jpg

Also sold separately:
  o  XE System Console with joystick
     http://www.mr-atari.com/afbeeldingen/hardwarediv/xesystem1.jpg
  o  XE System Keyboard with Flight Simulator II cartridge
http://www.mr-atari.com/afbeeldingen/hardwarediv/xesystem3toetsenbord.jpg
  o  XE System Light Gun XG-1 with Bug Hunt cartridge
     http://www.mr-atari.com/afbeeldingen/hardwarediv/xesystemgun2.jpg

Keyboard connected/no cartridge:
     boots to Atari BASIC
Keyboard connected/no cartridge/[Select] held down at startup:
     boots to Missile Command
No keyboard connected/no cartridge:
     boots to Missile Command
No keyboard connected/no cartridge/[Select] held down at startup:
     boots from disk drive
No keyboard connected/no cartridge/[Select]+[Start] held down at startup: 
     boots from tape drive

[Option] held down at startup = BASIC on 
[Option] not pressed at startup = BASIC off 
(opposite from all other XL/XE machines)

Andreas Koch writes:
     Tip: The confused XEGS Atarian should use the XEGS manager by Mat*Rat
     (Mathew Ratcliff). This assumes one knows at least how to boot a disk
     with the XEGS...

James Bradford offers:
  There is only 1 32K ROM in the XEGS, it has the OS, BASIC (Rev C) and
  Missile Command on it.

The XE game system Console was produced in both NTSC (North America) and PAL
(Europe) versions.

The XE System Console was made in Taiwan.

Rare variation of the XE System Console:
  o  SECAM (France) version

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