The Atari 8-bit home computer series was launched in 1979 with the 800 and 400 models.

Even as the Atari 2600 game console was in development, Atari engineers were already dreaming of a full-fledged computer. The Atari 8-bit family was intended to overcome some of the limitations of the 2600 and to compete against early home computers such as the Commodore PET, TRS-80, and Apple II. The Atari systems were designed to be more user friendly and provide better gaming performance than their competitors.

The Atari 8-bit computers used the same MOS-6502 processor as the 2600, along with custom graphics (ANTIC) and sound (POKEY) chips.