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Atari Mega ST

The Atari Mega ST was a memory-upgraded variant of the ST series, offered in 1MB, 2MB, and 4MB configurations, and marketed as a professional-grade machine with a revised operating system and bundled monochrome monitor.

Atari mega-st archival photo
Photo: Thomas Conté, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. source

Atari positioned the Mega ST as "Das Top-Modell" of its ST line, emphasizing its entry into the professional market1. It was explicitly described as "Atari's new and improved version of the ST"2, evolving from earlier models like the 520ST/ST+, 260ST, and 1040STF1. The machine retained compatibility with existing ST software, allowing it to draw from a well-established library including 1st Word Plus, Superbase Personal 2, Superbase Professional, Tempus 2, and Wordfair114. Most standard applications reportedly ran without issue, though some older programs, particularly games, exhibited glitches, and few could exploit the full 4MB of RAM. Antic's Cyber family of 3D CAD and animation tools was a rare exception2.

The Mega ST shipped with a revised version of the TOS operating system stored in ROM, which corrected bugs present in earlier ST models2. One such fix altered memory handling: where the 520ST and 1040ST tolerated writing beyond memory bounds, the Mega ST flagged this as a bus error, introducing incompatibilities with some software2. Despite this, Atari claimed full compatibility with existing ST software, and well-written programs reportedly encountered no issues24. The system was supplied with GEM (Graphics Environment Manager), the standard graphical interface for the ST platform4.

Three primary configurations were offered: the Mega ST 1 (or Mega 1), Mega ST 2 (Mega 2), and Mega ST 4 (Mega 4), containing 1MB, 2MB, and 4MB of RAM respectively135789. The Mega 1, priced at £599.00 (+VAT)10, was characterized as an upgraded 1040ST package aimed at the word-processing market10. Higher-end models were bundled with the SM12S monochrome monitor, which was included in the base price910. Alternative bundles paired the Mega 2 and Mega 4 with the SM124, SM1224, or Philips 8833 monitors7.

Pricing varied significantly by region and configuration. In the UK, the Mega ST 2 with keyboard, CPU, and SM12S monitor was listed at £899 or £999 (inc VAT)9, while the Mega ST 4 equivalent ranged from £1199 to £12999. The Mega 2 retailed at £934.9910. In another market, the Mega ST 1 was advertised at 1778.--, the Mega ST 2 at 2548.--, and the Mega 4 at 3498.--, with standalone model prices listed as MEGA 1: 1898.00, MEGA 2: 2599.00, and MEGA 4: 3498.005.

The system adopted a new physical design described as an expandable CPU with open architecture and a detachable keyboard49, marking a departure from the integrated form factor of earlier ST models1. External storage options included the Atari Megafile 30, 44, and 60 hard drives358. The Atari laser printer was also promoted as a peripheral, notable for lacking internal memory and instead utilizing a portion of the Mega ST’s 4MB RAM12.

Despite demand, production was constrained by a shortage of DRAM chips, limiting supply to the U.S. market2. Most units, manufactured in Taiwan, were directed to European customers due to Atari’s stronger presence there2. Atari reportedly held back advertising in North America2, though it unveiled a low-end Mega ST at the Which Computer? Show in Birmingham on February 2110, shifting focus from the entertainment market to the business sector10.

Reception highlighted price as the primary obstacle. One contemporary assessment noted, "The real problem with the Mega ST isn't its compatibility, but its price"2. While the machine offered expanded memory and a more professional orientation, its cost placed it at a disadvantage against competing systems. The Mega ST line was later succeeded by distinct models such as the Mega STE and the Atari TT61315.

Atari mega-st archival photo
Photo: Thomas Conté, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. source

References

  1. Das große Mega ST Buch (Data Becker)
  2. Byte Magazine Atari Articles
  3. ST-Computer 1990-01 (1990)
  4. AtariUser33-Jan88
  5. ST-Computer 1989-04 (1989)
  6. Archive item #9212
  7. atari st user-1989 aug (1989)
  8. STFormat00-Bundled
  9. AtariUser34-Feb88
  10. Stworldhi037
  11. Archive item #9212text
  12. ST-Computer 1991-05 (1991)
  13. Archive item #9207text
  14. atari-st-format-issue-024
  15. Archive item #9210
  16. Archive item #9210text