Atari 800XL computer in portable version

July 25, 2020 • Updated: Mar 18, 2025 - 12:11 AM

views

Simply amazing: American Benjamin J. Heckendorn - better known as Ben Heck - shows us how he developed a portable version of the Atari 800XL computer.

Unlike other Atari retro handheld projects he has undertaken in the past, this pocket computer uses the original Atari integrated circuits, with a completely new custom printed circuit board (PCB).

Given the Atari's complexity, Heckendorn opted to have his own PCBs contain as many signals as possible with a minimum of vias, and then hand-soldered whatever couldn't fit.

According to the report, he used chips from both the Atari 800XL and the XEGS console - which turned out to be compatible. Fortunately, he found a website with schematics for both machines.

After making his own schematic in Autodesk Eagle, he designed the electrical system. In addition, with the support of Felix Gardner, he made a PCB for the keyboard, which connects to the main motherboard. It includes a joystick and the Reset, Option, Select and Start keys.

The LCD screen, meanwhile, is from a cheap 4.3-inch backup camera. Additionally, the only modern part of the project is the slot for a CompactFlash card - where the software is stored.

As for the case, I exported the Eagle PCB as a DXF; then into Adobe Illustrator to cover the basic look of the unit - including the vents - and the main components.

The case was printed using a Makergear M2 3D printer, set to a low-resolution layer height. The D-pad and trigger buttons were printed in ABS.

As for power supply, Ben estimates that the batteries can last for 3 hours of continuous use. The model also has two USB ports: the first, a micro USB to recharge the laptop's batteries; and the second, a mini USB that can be used to connect the new device to a PC, using a program such as RespeQt.

Finally, Felix found a color of Krylon spray paint that matched the Atari 800XL. “That computer was never really white… it was more of a pale white,” he said.

It is worth remembering that Heckendorn starred in the online series "The Ben Heck Show" from 2000 to late 2018. In the first episode of his show, he discusses the process of making a portable Atari 2600 console.