65XE / 130XE / XE Game  Computers

We offer a complete inventory of 8 Bit Atari computer repair parts as well as complete computers and replacement Motherboards.   Not all of the thousands and thousands of Atari 8 bit parts we carry are listed.  If you do not see the Atari 8 bit part you are looking for see the Best Rev. 10 Catalog or E-Mail us at:   bestelec@bestelec.digitalspacemail8.net

Chris V. of Canada   Chris contacted Best and ordered a Best Recondtioned Atari 65XE and a recommend Best 2nd. Gen. Upgraded / Enhanced Atari Composite Video cable.  The shipping cost to send his Atari order to Canada was almost double the shipping cost to send the same Atari order across the US.  "I received my package from you and I'm very satisfied, Thank You   You really packaged it well. Thanks for the flyers included to read.  The condition of the Atari 65XE is like new, very appreciative for its condition, I saw some others for sale and they were not as clean and not all grey in colour. I will take great care of it.  The video cable is nice and I already have it powered on and connected to my TV at the Ready status.  Hooking it up to a newer TV like you said is better than trying to view on a small 10" or so Atari monitor"

Peter H. of Canada   Peter contacted Best because he was having problems with his Atari 130XE computer and could not tell where the problem was.  A lot 130XE different symptoms information from Peter and one word from him (Buzzing sound) told Best were to start the Diagnostic check list.  We told Peter it sounds like his 25+ year Atari XE power supply was going to fail.  Best told Peter to stop using it right now.  If it fails high (5VDC goes to 12+ volts) it could damage all of 5 volt chips on his 130XE motherboard), turning his old 130XE motherboard into burnt toast, not worth repairing.  A couple of new E-Mails back and forth, Peter decided to buy a Best Reconditioned Atari 65XE computer with a new rebuildable Atari XE Power Supply, a second new Atari XE rebuildable Power Supply for his Atari 130XE Computer and a MPP direct connect Printer cable, Atari SIO connector to Centronics Printer interface connector (this cable takes the place of an Atari external 850 Interface and Centronics printer cable to like a DOT matrix printer of that era).  Because of his International location, the shipping cost to ship Peter his Atari order to him was almost double the shipping cost, to send the same Atari order across the US.  "Just a quick note to thank you again for all your help with placing my 1st order and getting it shipped out so fast!  I received the order yesterday!  Amazing!  ( Monday was a holiday here, so no mail delivery )  I look forward to ordering more items from you in the future !"   

Rod L. of Canada  Rod was rebuilding his Atari 8 bit computer collection.  He ordered a New Atari 65XE Computer with Bests new 2nd Generation / Upgraded Atari Composite Video cable two months ago.  He contacted Best this time because he wanted to order a 1050 Disk drive to go with his new Atari 65XE.  "Thank you for sending the new 65XE and new 2nd generation composite video cable - what a treat it was to unpack and use, it felt like Christmas arrived early!  Thanks, too, for your unbelievably great support to me and thousands of other Atari aficionados over the years."

Stephen P. of Australia  "I received the Atari 65XE on Monday morning Australian time which is 1 week since posted, very fast.  Of course the unit is in perfect condition.  I would like to sincerely thank you for the excellent communication whilst working out my purchase, and I was blown away by the lengths that Your shipping department went to in safeguarding my Atari in its long trip to Australia, incredibly well packed to say the least."

Relabeled Atari 130XE Computer

A lot of old and new Atari 8 bit Computer users do not know that early Atari 8 bit computer products got used / designed into real world commercial products of that era.  One group that comes to mind, were called Atari Character Generators.  They were in the form of an Atari custom 8 bit cartridge / software program and an Atari 800XL / 65XE / 130XE computer.  A couple Best can recall right off were from Dickel Communications of California and Master Video Systems of Texas.  With these Atari Character Generator systems a Motel / Hotel / Gym, Church, Community Center and Event Hall / Trade show could post current daily information on a scrolling monitor display.  Most of those Atari Character Generators allowed you to save (reload / edit that information for the next day and store) that days information to an Atari 8 bit disk drive.  So if you traveled and stayed at Hotel / Motel or attended a Trade Show in the 80's to 90's, there is a good chance you saw an Atari generated Information display.  The same Commercial versions of Character Generator programs / hardware run into the thousand and thousands of dollars for the same time frame.  It made the Atari 8 bit computer versions very cost effective for a lot of different applications and so simple to use just about any employee could be easily be trained to run / update / save information on the Atari Character generator systems.

65XE / 130XE / 800XE  “The Best” “XE” Touch (Formally called “TT” Touch for XE computers) Improved Silicone Cups that replaces the existing spongy / mushy feeling cups inside the XE Keyboard to give you a firm feeling keyboard with tactile feed back on each key stroke.  XE Touch will only fit two out of the three versions / brand Atari Keyboards used on the XE Series Computers. If your XE keyboard DOES NOT have spring under each key cap, then you have the right XE keyboard that can be upgraded to “XE” Touch.  All that is required for installation is a #0 Phillips screw driver. Full set of 62 “XE” Touch Contacts. CB102117 Sold Out

2^nd Generation 65XE / 130XE / 800XE / XEGS computer “The Best” “XE” Touch Improved Silicone Cups that replaces the Atari stock existing spongy / mushy feeling internal old style full stroke / travel stock silicon cups inside the Atari XE Keyboards.  The 2nd Gen. XE touch keyboard upgrade contacts have the State of the Art Keyboard Technology half stroke / key cap travel distance with the normal tactical feed back feature.  This means you can type on a Best XE Touch upgraded keyboard faster and with less typing mistakes.  XE Touch will only fit two out of the three versions / brand Atari Keyboards used on the XE Series Computers over the years.  If your XE / XEGS keyboard DOES NOT have spring under each key cap, then you have the right Atari XE keyboard that can be upgraded to 2nd Gen. “XE” Touch contacts.  All that is required for installation is a #0 Phillips screw driver. Full set of 62 2^nd Generation “XE” Touch Contacts. CB102117-2nd  $29.95  Now a Must Buy for every 65XE / 130XE / 800XE / XEGS Atari system Owner! 

Read the 5+ month story behind the 2nd Generation XE Touch XE Keyboards upgrade internal contacts and how they almost did not happen.

Rafael L. of MA.   Rafael ordered an Atari loose cart and boxed 8 bit games.  He also ordered Bests New 2nd Generation XE Touch Keyboard Internal Upgrade Silicone contacts.  That takes a stock Atari 65XE / 130XE and XEGS computer mushy / spongy feeling keyboard and turns into a high grade laptop type keyboard with tactical feed back on every key stroke.  "I wanted to thank you and Best Electronics for the prompt shipment. I am very happy with the games and the XE touch caps. I installed them earlier and they are fantastic night and day difference, as advertised. As always, I appreciate the packing and that Atari tape you use. Hoping you have a great week ahead."

One of our German Atari Customers (Marc B.) was so pleased with his upgraded (with Bests 1st Gen. XE Touch upgrade contacts) XE Game System Keyboard that he wrote quick install guide with pictures on upgrading his Atari XE Game System keyboard (same basic XE keyboard used in the Atari 65XE / 130XE / 800XE computers).  Here is English translation provided to Best Electronics from Marc, of that install guide that will be published in one of the German Atari Magazines.

Boris K. of Germany.  Boris read the different Atari reviews on Best's XEGS keyboard upgrade called "XE Touch".  So he placed an Atari order for two set of XE Touch internal upgrade silicone cups for his two Atari XEGS consoles he had from Best.  "I just received and already changed the XE best contact upgrade into one of my XEGS keyboards. This is really amazing, it turns this wobbly thing into an actual usable keyboard with a very professional feel to it. I'd say this is a must-buy for any XE owner - wow! Thank you so much for this! Danke!  Best regards from Germany"

Paul W. of OR  Paul ordered Bests XE Touch product, internal Atari XE Keyboard upgrade contacts, that gets rid of the mushy XE keyboard key cap feel and gives you a new Tactical feed feature on all of the XE keyboard key caps.  "The XE touch upgrades are worth every penny!"

Ben C. of TX   Ben purchased one of Bests XE Touch keyboard internal upgrade contacts for his Atari 130XE keyboard.  "The keyboard upgrade is great; the feel of the keys is much better than it was before."

Jason H. of MD  Jason had a bad (certain keys stopped working) Atari 130XE Keyboard.  He ordered one of Bests better made XE internal replacement Keyboard mylars.  Also Jason, had the right Atari 130XE Keyboard that would accept Bests XE Touch internal contacts that upgrades the feel (tactical feed back) of the Atari 130XE Keyboard key caps.  "I received my XE Touch keyboard upgrade parts and the improved keyboard Mylar for my 130XE and installed them tonight.  My keyboard works again and feels better than new."

Boisy P. of LA   "Got the stuff in today!"  Boisy ordered one of Bests Custom made New 65XE / 130XE / XE Game Machine replacement internal Keyboard Mylar for a bad 130XE Keyboard he had and two of Bests XE Touch, Internal Silicon contact upgrade kits (for better tactical feed back on his XE Keyboard Key caps) for his 130XE and XE Game Machine Keyboards   "The 130XE keyboard mylar works great, as do the new key cups.  Night and day difference!  Going to tackle the XEGS keyboard next...  Thanks for very fast service and great products!"

Lawrence P. of Canada  "I'm very pleased with the Best XE touch upgrade.  The XEGS is my favorite 8-bit, and I love that it has a detachable keyboard.  The stock keys, are quite mushy and not fun for extended typing.  My XEGS is pretty heavily modded, but this was one heck of a dramatic upgrade.  I also thought it was a nice and smart touch to make the upgraded contacts red.  Nice that it is impossible to confuse them with the stock ones during the upgrade.  A subtle but nice touch"

Mark R. of the UK  "Thanks for shipping the XE Touch kits."  Best's exclusive Atari XE Keyboard Internal upgrade for the key caps.  "I've fitted one to the keyboard of a European 800XE and it makes a world of difference to the feel of the keyboard when typing in programs."

Kevin O. of SC   "Thanks for getting that order out so promptly!  Got the XE-touch keyboard upgrade installed in my 130XE's keyboard already.... never thought rubber cups made THAT much of a difference in the feel of a keyboard!"  Bests new 65XE / 130XE / 800XE / XE Game Keyboard replacement Internal Silicon cups for a much improved XE Keyboard feel / tactical feed back.  "It went from "barely tolerable" to "damn, that's nice" in like 15 minutes!  If I ever get another XE, it's getting one of these kits too.  Too bad people can't feel the difference online.  I never realized how bad the stock XE keyboard was when I was a kid until I got another XE recently."

Best was recently breaking down one of the thousands of Atari pallets of

goods we got out of the local Atari Sunnyvale warehouses years ago.

We came across this Atari 130XE (right side back of the 130XE case) with

the ANTIC (was named because of the Atari Antic Custom chip used in all

Atari 8 bit computers) property label.  As very very old Atari 8 bit computer

owners know, The independent Atari Antic Magazine was one of the

premier Atari Magazines of its time.  You bought a years subscription to

the Antic Magazine and could not wait for your once a month Antic

Magazine to arrive.  It had the New / Latest Atari 8 bit hardware, Atari

product reviews, Atari software reviews and tips, Atari kits and do it

yourself Atari projects and cutting edge Atari articles.  Archive reprints

of the old Atari Antic Magazines can be still found with a very

simple Internet search.

This Atari 130XE landed back in the Sunnyvale Atari warehouse, Best

assumes because it developed a problem (of course out Warranty) and

ANTIC took advantage of Atari's product exchange process.  You sent in

the bad Atari product, paid a fee of course and you got back a New or

Reconditioned same Atari product back.

By freak chance, this Antic asset number is the same as the phone number

area code for Atari Sunnyvale.     

130XE COMPUTER

Roy L of CA   Earlier this year Roy purchased an Atari 130XE computer from Best to upgrade from he old Atari 400 Computer he was using for years.  "I don’t care for the key action on the 130XE.  If I remember right, you mentioned that the keyboard on the 130XE I bought from you is upgradeable. Is that correct"  The Atari answer to Roy's question was Yes.  Roy was referring to Bests XE Touch upgrade internal silicon contacts for one of the two Atari XE keyboards made, that gets rid of the mushy feeling XE key caps.  Roy purchased a set of XE Touch contacts.  "Much better!  almost feels like the old IBM XT keyboard."  This is Roy's second feed back comment to Best.

Roy L. of CA   A few months ago, Roy picked up from Best one of the rare Atari 400 Factory 48K Ram upgrades and successfully installed in his Atari 400 computer (that was connected up to his TV via an Atari RF cable and TV switch box).  Then he was considering getting an reconditioned Atari 130XE from Best.  A few E-Mails back and forth, Roy put in an order for a Best reconditioned Atari 130XE computers.  At the same time Best suggested to Roy, that he dump the Atari RF cable and old style TV switch box (that comes with the 130XE) and go with Best Enhanced Atari Composite Video cable for a better / clearer 130XE display.  "I’m loving the 130XE (although my 400 is lonely now).  I could have bought it for less than 1/2 the price on Amazon or EBay but I wouldn’t have had confidence in the condition, the seller or the machine’s history.  You guys did the self-tests, put in a new upgradeable keyboard and even added the video cable that I didn’t even think about so I had confidence that I was buying the best 30-year old machine I could."

Owen S. of CO  "I received my 130XE, enhanced composite video cable, Best Electronics upgraded CX40 joystick, and Eastern Front and Star Raiders cartridges yesterday!  Thank you so much for getting this package out to me in a expedient manner (placed order Friday p.m. and it was shipped that afternoon/evening!!!).  Best Electronics rocks: with courtesy, service and breadth & depth of in-stock products, you have more than earned my business!"

Paul J. of Canada  Paul contacted Best via E-Mail.  Several E-Mails back and forth, Atari questions asked and answered.  Paul placed his very 1st Atari order with Best.  "Thanks -  We received the shipment yesterday!  The new drive belt is installed and my 1050 drive works like it was 1985 again.  I am sure it will run for another 35 years!  The new 130xe main board also works perfect.  I can honestly say Best rescued both items from the landfill.  Thanks for helping persevere a little bit of Atari computing history in our home!  I can say with 100% assurance that we will be back for additional purchases.  Best is the best!  Thanks Again!"

Ted S. of Canada  Ted contacted Best looking for 2 1050 Disk Drive Tandon replacement top head pads.  Best told Ted we have them in stock.  He second E-Mail back to Best, said he was also looking for a second complete Atari 130XE Computer to back up his second bad Atari 130XE Computer he had.  We told Ted we do have Reconditioned Atari 130XE US / NTSC Computers in stock, but we had a lot more cost effective choice for him.  Best has New complete drop in replacement Atari 130XE US / NTSC motherboards for far less than a complete Reconditioned 130XE Computer.  "I received the package today.  My 1050 Disk Drive now appears to be 100% operational again.  The 130XE motherboard was very easy to install and is working great.  Thanks again for staying in business for us atari addicts!"

Best Atari XEGS Information / Tech Tip.  For New, Used XEGS consoles with no history (like off E-Bay) or 1st time Atari XEGS owners or XEGS owners who have lost of the 2 (Keyboard and Main XEGS) Owners manuals here is some useful information.  Normally on the Atari XEGS, if the external keyboard is not connected to the XEGS main console, when 1st turned on, it should default to the built Atari Missile Command game.  When the external XE keyboard is connected up to the Main XEGS console you should be able to switch between the built in Atari Basic and built in Missile Command game.  This is normally done by holding down the Option button on the main XEGS console when 1st turning on the XEGS.     

Typical symptoms that show up on some new and older Atari XEGS consoles.

1.  I can not switch between the XEGS Basic and Missile Command game functions no matter what I try.

2.  My XEGS is stuck in Basic or Missile Command game.

Ways to correct the above XEGS problems.

Sometimes the XEGS MMU chip (the Atari custom chip that controls the Cartridge and other XEGS motherboard functions) gets confused / stuck and will not properly switch between the built in Basic / Missile Command settings not matter what you do.  There is a very simple way to rest the Atari XEGS MMU chip.  Put in a different (other than Atari Missile Command) Atari 8 bit game) Atari 8 bit game cartridge into the XEGS console and turn on the XEGS for a second or less (it can come up the new game 1st screen display or not).  The XEGS MMU chip should be reset now.

On very old or well used Atari XEGS consoles, the small black switch (on the XEGS motherboard) under the Option button is going bad or has failed.  This can be very easily verified, by using a Ohm meter on the two soldered in switch legs on the under / solder side of the XEG motherboard.  In theory when option switch is pushed down, you should get 0 Ohms resistance between the switch legs.  In most cases you will find resistance can range from about 50 ohms to 1 Meg ohms resistance.  In that resistance range, the XEGS motherboard electronics will simply not see the Option switch closure.  Best recommends if you go thru replacing the XEGS soldered in Option failed small black motherboard switch, you replace the 3 other going bad XEGS small black switches at the same time.  See the Best XEGS upgraded replacement switches below.

XE Game Machine

Best Electronics Exclusive Auto switching TV switch box upgrade Kit for the Atari XE Game System!   With this Atari XE Game System Upgrade Kit installed, you will no longer have to reach behind your TV / Monitor and side the manual slide switch on your mechanical Cable Ready TV switch box from Game / Computer to TV ever again.  All you have to is to turn on your XEGS and the normal XEGS screen will

show up on your TV.   This Best XE Game System upgrade Kit comes with the New Atari Jaguar Auto sensing TV Switch box ($9.95) with built in Atari RF cable, New Atari Jaguar Auto sensing XE Game System US RF Modulator ($15.00) and English Installation Instructions.  This Atari XE Game System Upgrade Kit requires the ability to Solder and Unsolder the old XEGS RF Modulator.    US XE Game System version Upgrade Kit CB103059 $21.95

German version of the Best XE Game System Auto Switching Upgrade Kit.  CB103059-GRM $21.95

UK version of the Best XE Game System Auto Switching Upgrade Kit.  CB103059-UK $21.95

2^nd Generation 65XE / 130XE / 800XE / XEGS computer “The Best” “XE” Touch Improved Silicone Cups that replaces the Atari stock existing spongy / mushy feeling internal old style full stroke / travel stock silicon cups inside the Atari XE Keyboards.  The 2nd Gen. XE touch keyboard upgrade contacts have the State of the Art Keyboard Technology half stroke / key cap travel distance with the normal tactical feed back feature.  This means you can type on a Best XE Touch upgraded keyboard faster and with less typing mistakes.  XE Touch will only fit two out of the three versions / brand Atari Keyboards used on the XE Series Computers over the years.  If your XE / XEGS keyboard DOES NOT have spring under each key cap, then you have the right Atari XE keyboard that can be upgraded to 2nd Gen. “XE” Touch contacts.  All that is required for installation is a #0 Phillips screw driver. Full set of 62 2^nd Generation “XE” Touch Contacts. CB102117-2nd  $29.95  Now a Must Buy for every 65XE / 130XE / 800XE / XEGS Atari system Owner! 

Read the 5+ month story behind the 2nd Generation XE Touch XE Keyboards upgrade internal contacts and how they almost did not happen

One of our German Atari Customers (Marc B.) was so pleased with his upgraded (with Best XE Touch upgrade contacts) XE Game System Keyboard that he wrote quick install guide with pictures on upgrading his Atari XE Game System keyboard (same basic XE keyboard used in the Atari 65XE / 130XE computers).  Here is the English translation provided to Best Electronics from Marc, of that install guide that will be published in one of the German Atari Magazines.

Zack N. of NC  On his 1st Atari order to Best  "You set me up with some Atari ST and XE keyboard contacts" Bests 2nd Generation ST TT Touch and 2nd Generation XE Touch Atari Keyboard internal upgrade Silicon contacts "that did not disappoint (such an improvement!), and a schematic that I now have framed behind me.  Now I'm back for some 2600 paddle potentiometers. I respect and sympathize with your hunt" over 1 year and 7 months Best search "for such an elusive part.  I'd like 2 sets of the 2016 super pots please." 

Mark R. of the UK  "Thanks for shipping the XE Touch kits."  Best's exclusive Atari XE Keyboard Internal upgrade for the key caps.  "I've fitted one to the keyboard of a European 800XE and it makes a world of difference to the feel of the keyboard when typing in programs."

Lawrence P. of Canada  "I'm very pleased with the Best XE touch upgrade.  The XEGS is my favorite 8-bit, and I love that it has a detachable keyboard.  The stock keys, are quite mushy and not fun for extended typing.  My XEGS is pretty heavily modded, but this was one heck of a dramatic upgrade.  I also thought it was a nice and smart touch to make the upgraded contacts red.  Nice that it is impossible to confuse them with the stock ones during the upgrade.  A subtle but nice touch"

Kevin O. of SC   "Thanks for getting that order out so promptly!  Got the XE-touch keyboard upgrade installed in my 130XE's keyboard already.... never thought rubber cups made THAT much of a difference in the feel of a keyboard!"  Bests new 65XE / 130XE / 800XE / XE Game Keyboard replacement Internal Silicon cups for a much improved XE Keyboard feel / tactical feed back.  "It went from "barely tolerable" to "damn, that's nice" in like 15 minutes!  If I ever get another XE, it's getting one of these kits too.  Too bad people can't feel the difference online.  I never realized how bad the stock XE keyboard was when I was a kid until I got another XE recently."

The Atari CX77 Touch Tablet is an Art and Graphics Controller that is plugged into a Joystick port and designed for use with the Atari 8 bit Computers (400, 800, 600XL, 800XL,1200XL, 65XE, 130XE and XE Game machine).  You can Draw or Trace pictures with the CX77 Stylus, a pen or even your finger.  You have your choice of 8 brush widths with 128 Computer Generated Colors with 8 brightness levels.  Create Automatic Circles, Squares, Discs, Boxes, draw perfect Circles, Squares, Rays and Straight lines, draw a series of Connected Straight lines, Mirror Images, Fill objects, Erase objects, Magnify to eight times normal size any portion of your Atari Touch Tablet Drawings.  Pictures drawn on your Atari CX77 Touch Tablet can be saved to an Atari Cassette or Atari 810, 1050 or XF551 Disk Drive.  You can also load The Popular Micro Illustrator Program drawn Pictures on the CX77 Touch.

  Old Atari 8 Bit Owners will remember the early Kola Drawing Pad with the smaller drawing surface.  The Atari CX77 Touch Tablet was Atari's Answer to the Kola Pad a couple of years latter with many New Improvements over the original Kola Drawing Pad.  The only draw back with the Atari CX77 was when they were released 10 to 15 years ago, they were always in short supply in the US.  Many Atari 8 bit uses never saw one or only saw pictures of them only.   We found these Rare New Atari CX77 Touch Tablets in an Atari Warehouse in Holland.  The labels on the Pallets of them, said they came from the Atari Warehouse in Italy!!  Best Electronics spent the time and money and re-imported then back into our US Warehouse from Holland.  The Atari CX77 Touch Tablet comes with Drawing pad surface Protective Mylar cover sheet (Spare Protective covers are available from Best), Stylus Pen, AtariArtisit Cartridge and 21 Page Owners Manuals.

$79.95

Michael P. of CA  "Just wanted to let you know that I un-boxed the CX77 Touch tablet today and tried it out, and I'm a very happy customer. It's probably the first time in 30+ years that I've had something brand new and sealed from Atari. Really brought me back in time in a good way. And the product works great!"

James R. of CA.  Placing his 4th Atari order in a row in the last few months, this time James ordered a New in the box Atari CX77 Touch Tablet and the very hard to find New in the box last Generation made, Atari XC12 Program recorder.  "Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know I received my latest order today - the touch tablet and program recorder.  As always, I’m thrilled and so appreciative to you guys for keeping the brand alive.  Love to share the happiness you guys provide."  

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This page Last modified: January 15, 2024

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