Atari 1040STF Computer: RETRO Buyer's Guide Episode 58
86Episode 58: Atari ST Computer
The Atari ST line of computers were the successors to the Atari 8-bit line of computers and the company’s first 16 and 32 bit offerings. The 520ST was the first to debut in 1985 and it’s quite a bit more advanced than previous computers released by Atari. For one, it utilizes an operating system known as TOS, with a GUI known as GEM, which stands for Graphics Environment Manager. It’s the first graphical user interface that shipped with Atari computers and it’s very capable and user-friendly.
Less than a year later, the 1040ST was released with a full 1 megabyte of memory for less than $1,000, a first for the time. You could buy the computers with a built-in or external 3.5-inch floppy drive and connect it to a high resolution color or monochrome monitor. Other models of the Atari ST were released, which include STF or STFM in the model. They stand for floppy and modulator respectively. That indicates if the computer comes with a built-in floppy drive and RF modulator, which would allow the computer to connect to a television’s RF connector.