My First Atari ST

7 hours ago

The author used an Atari 800XL for college homework initially, but it lacked privacy and was not respected in academia, where Unix and MS-DOS were preferred.
A Pascal assignment highlighted the Atari 800XL's limitations, as its compiler gave incorrect results, prompting the need for a more modern computer.
The author chose an Atari ST for its affordability compared to Macintosh or Amiga, and financed it with a loan co-signed by parents.
A 1040ST with monochrome monitor was purchased mail-order from J&R Computer World in early 1989, saving money for software.
The Atari ST improved programming with faster compilation via a RAM disk and was used for Pascal assignments and personal projects like a bowling score tracker.
Despite a mushy keyboard, the ST was portable and later enhanced with an external hard drive, though limited gaming due to the monochrome monitor.
The ST was eventually replaced by a Mega STe in 1992, reflecting its extensive use during college years.

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