Introduced as a big brother to the 400/800 in 1982 and shipped in 1983, the
1200XL now uses Atari's slightly customized 6502C microprocessor, SALLY, and
includes a full 64K RAM.  The 1200XL was the first 8-bit Atari with just 2
controller ports.  In addition, the 1200XL includes 4 programmable Function
keys and a Help key, 4 LEDs, built-in diagnostic and graphics demonstration
programs, and probably the favorite keyboard of any 8-bit Atari computer.
Clicks previously output through the built-in speaker are now heard from the
television or monitor's speaker.  The revised 16K Operating System offers many
new features, including an alternate International Character Set.

The 1200XL was the biggest single step forward in development of the 8-bit
Atari platform, but the corresponding software compatability problems hurt its
popularity.

The 1200XL lacks the separate chroma video signal on the Monitor port, and the
machine also lacks the +5 Volts power on pin 10 of the SIO port.

The 1200XL was produced in an NTSC (North America) version only.  There is no
PAL (Europe) version of the 1200XL.

The 1200XL was discontinued in June 1983.

According to 1200XL serial number analysis by Karl Heller (2007), about
105,000 1200XL units were produced in total:
   o From Mid March to late May USA production was about 78500 units in not so
     sequential order. 
   o From early April to late June Taiwan produced about 26000 units in perfect
     sequential order.
   AtariAge thread: http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107234

Scott Stilphen mentioned this 1200XL easter egg on 10 Feb 2006:
   On 1200XLs, if you select 'all tests', when it gets to the keyboard test 
   it'll type out the programmer's name.

© 2008 FAQS.ORG. All rights reserved.