Atari · 1986

Atari 1040ST

One of the first home computers with a full megabyte of memory.

0people started on one
0countries

Then vs now

Memory1 MBA 2025 phone has about 8,192× more
Clock speed8 MHzA phone core ticks about 375× faster
Launch price$999About $2,860 in 2024 dollars
MakerAtari
Released1986
ProcessorMotorola 68000, 8 MHz
Memory1 MB
Storage3.5" floppy
Launch price$999 (about $2,860 in 2024 dollars)
Big inEurope (Germany), USA

Launch price is for the base model in its home market and is approximate. US prices adjusted with the US Consumer Price Index (BLS).

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Where people started on one

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Memories of the Atari 1040ST

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Questions and answers

When did the Atari 1040ST come out?

The Atari 1040ST was released in 1986 by Atari.

How much did the Atari 1040ST cost when it was new?

About $999 for the base model at launch, roughly $2,860 in 2024 US dollars after inflation (US Consumer Price Index).

How much memory and speed did the Atari 1040ST have?

1 MB of memory and a Motorola 68000 processor at 8 MHz. A typical 2025 flagship phone has about 8,192 times more memory.

How many people had the Atari 1040ST as their first computer?

Nobody has added it to the First Computer Atlas yet. If it was yours, add it.

Where was the Atari 1040ST popular?

It was especially popular in Europe (Germany), USA.

Can you still buy the Atari 1040ST?

Only second-hand. Working units turn up on eBay and at retro computing fairs; boxed, tested machines cost the most. Check sold listings rather than asking prices to judge what one is worth.

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Other first computers from around 1986