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Atari Mega ST

Mega ST · 1987–1991 · desktop

Specifications

Cpu: Motorola 68000, 8 MHz
Ram: max: 4 MB (Mega ST4 factory configuration) · base: 1 MB (Mega ST1)
Ports: MIDI IN/OUT · Cartridge slot · External floppy disk port · ACSI DMA port (hard disk, laser printer) · Serial (RS-232) port · Parallel (Centronics) port · Joystick/mouse ports · Monitor port · Internal expansion bus connector
Display: Same Shifter video as the 520/1040ST: 320x200 in 16 colors, 640x200 in 4 colors, or 640x400 monochrome, from a 512-color palette
Storage: base: Built-in double-sided 3.5" floppy drive, 720 KB per disk · options: Atari Megafile hard disks via the ACSI DMA port · External 3.5" floppy drive
Os Support: latest: TOS 1.04 · shipped: TOS 1.02 (with GEM desktop) in ROM
Release Price: $1,199 (Mega ST1)

Variants

Revisions

Mega ST1Mega ST11 MB configuration

Mega ST2Mega ST22 MB configuration

Mega ST4Mega ST44 MB configuration

Upgrade paths

other

Blitter or accelerator boards via the internal expansion connector · The Mega ST's split case (separate keyboard, monitor-bearing system unit) and internal bus connector made it the ST that professionals expanded; it anchored Atari's desktop publishing push with the SLM804 laser printer over ACSI.

MODERATE

storage

Internal or external hard disk via ACSI (Megafile 30/60, third-party SCSI bridges) · ACSI hard disks were the standard pairing for Calamus and other DTP workflows.

EASY