Atari 4160STE

The Atari 4160STE was a 4MB factory-labelled development version of the enhanced ST. It combined the maximum standard STE memory with the 8 MHz 68000, 4,096-colour palette, BLiTTER, hardware scrolling, stereo DMA sound and enhanced controller ports.

A small number of systems are reported to have reached software developers, but Atari cancelled the model before normal retail sale. Because ordinary 520STE and 1040STE computers could easily be expanded to 4MB, many later machines have been informally or incorrectly labelled as 4160STE systems.

Notable Features

• 4MB factory-labelled STE configuration supplied in very limited numbers to developers.
• Included the complete STE graphics, audio and controller enhancements.

Historical Significance

• Never entered normal retail production.
• Developer distribution distinguishes it from the purely planned 2080STE configuration.

Collector’s Notes

• Most computers carrying a 4160STE label are upgraded 1040STE systems or later relabelled machines.
• Documented provenance is essential for any claimed factory prototype.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Atari 4160STE
Manufacturer	Atari
Launched	Tuesday, August 1, 1989
Discontinued	Cancelled
Country	United States
CPU	Motorola MC68000 at 8 MHz
Units Sold
I/O	MIDI In/Out, RS-232 serial, Centronics parallel, ACSI, cartridge, monitor and joystick/mouse ports, stereo audio and RF television output
Controllers	Two standard joystick/mouse ports plus two enhanced controller ports
Storage	Internal double-sided 3.5-inch 720KB floppy; ACSI hard-disk support
Sound	YM2149 PSG plus two-channel 8-bit stereo DMA audio
Graphics	BLiTTER, hardware scrolling and enhanced palette
Colour Palette	4,096 colours
Display	320x200 in 16 colours, 640x200 in 4 colours, or 640x400 monochrome
ROM	256KB TOS ROM
RAM	4MB; SIMM sockets, expandable to 4MB
CPU Speed	8 MHz