The Atari Graduate CX-3000 was an add on to the Atari 2600. It was also know as "My First Computer" to be marketed to the average person as an affordable entry level computer in 1983. The unit was designed by PVI which consisted of 3 former Commodore engineers with an idea to market a computer to a larger target of people. The inital cost of the unit was expected to be around $79 but due to the video game crash (and Atari changing its requirements for the unit) the unit was never released. The Graduate provided a plug in keyboard along with additional microprocessors (Frodo & Bubles chip) and room for additional expansion. The inital Graduate made the Atari 2600 a 8K computer (that could be expanded to 32k) with basic programming language. The graphics provided 128 colors (16 basic colors with 8 shades of each color - 16 x 8) which Atari was very proud of.

Hardware

CX-3000 Graduate Computer

CX-3010 I/O Module & 8 KB RAM
This I/O Module plugs into the expansion port of the Graduate in the front and give an additional 8k RAM (doubling its memory).

CX-3011 Drucker Printer
This printer (simular to the Atari 1027 for 8-bit computers) is a 40-column letter quality printer.

CX-3012 Modem
Cablable of transfering data at 300 bits per second this model accepts the cord from a telephone (as opposed to the plug in padded couplers).

CX-3013 16 KB RAM
Plugged into the I/O Module to bring the Graduate up to a full 32K of RAM, for more complex programming capability.

CX-3014 Program Recorder
This cassette tape drive is the affordable way to  store data.

CX-3015 Micro Disk
The micro disk stored data on wafers and could hold up to 128k of data cosisting of multiple files and performed at a quick rate than the cassette drive.

Software

30009 Typo Attack
30010 Monkey up a Tree
30001 Donkey Kong
30002 Robotron
30003 Stargate
30004 Sport Goofy
30005 Caverns of Mars
30006 Introduction to Programming
30007 Children's Introduction to Programming

Misc Ad

 


Atari Keyboard Prototype.




Closeup of PVI on the keyboard.




Motherboard of the 3000.




Spectravideos Compumate Keyboard




Ad of Accessories for computer add-on.





Atari 2660 Keyboard Add-On.

Attachments:

Atari Graduate Ad	[Atari Graduate Ad]	142 Kb	11/22/2009 21:47
Atari Graduate Design Notes	[Atari Graduate Design Notes]	5078 Kb	11/22/2009 21:45