Ataribox Hits Stores Next Spring for Under $300 with AMD Radeon Graphics & Linux

[Chino]

Atari is back in the console game with their upcoming Ataribox which is slated for a late spring 2018 release. At the heart of the system is a specially designed AMD processor running on Radeon Graphics technology. According to the Atari team, they've opted to implement a customized version of Linux operating system into the Ataribox to bring a full PC experience for the TV. Linux allows users to customize the OS the way they want it while also giving them access to games they've bought from other content platforms. The Ataribox will come preloaded with many classic Atari retro titles, so that gamers can relive their childhood days. However, it will also support modern titles from other studios. Besides gaming, we can use the Ataribox for other tasks like running applications, multimedia streaming, web browsing or checking social media.

Initial images revealed the Ataribox sporting a black plastic casing. It will be available in two editions: black and red with a glass front panel or wooden front panel. We also noticed numerous modern ports at the back of the console. So far, we counted four USB ports, one HDMI port, and an Ethernet port for internet access. There is also a SD card slot for expandable storage.




The Ataribox team will be launching a campaign on Indiegogo next month to crowdfund the development of the console. In regards to pricing, we expect it to cost between $250 and $300 depending on the edition and memory configuration.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Durvelle27]

Wow this looks very interesting

I may go for one

 

[Fouquin]

It's basically a Steam Machine.

 

[Durvelle27]

It's basically a Steam Machine.

but supposedly cheaper

 

[damric]

It's a mining machine!

 

[TheLostSwede]

It's basically a Steam Machine.

More like Nvidia Shield, but x64 based with a more open OS, but at a higher price.

 

[Deleted member 172152]

If it's somewhat powerful it might even be worth hacking one and putting standard linux on it (doubt windows will work) to make it a budget gaming pc.

Then again, it's Atari we're talking about here.

 

[dj-electric]

Looking this thin, im not expecting too much

 

[EarthDog]

What is a "specifically designed" AMD processor? Is it not off the shelf? I see Lisa Su posted something about that on her twitter........... just would like to know what customizations, if any, were used...

 

[thesmokingman]

But where's the slot for the cartridge man? It does have that retro look to it.

 

[Deleted member 172152]

But can it use a mouse and keyboard? What apps can it run besides games? What games can it run? Is it literally a steam machine without steam OS?

 

[silentbogo]

What really makes me concerned is:
a) Crowdfunding
b) Price
I really hope it's not Carrizo, but I'm not hoping for anything higher than slightly customized Bristol ridge.
Raven Ridge is too far away for any device announcements, and Zen mobile is too expensive for this price point.
Not a console "console" killer, not a Steambox... probably closer to x86-64 equivalent of Shield TV.

 

[AsRock]

Wow this looks very interesting

I may go for one

Does look kinda cool, partly due to keeping it some what like the original.

It's basically a Steam Machine.

With worse cooling by looking at it.

 

[Katanai]

Where are the controllers? If they make ones like these on USB, I will laugh so hard...

 

[Readlight]

It can be something revolotianry if it does not haw all disanvantages from ps4 what i dont liked.
Games will be in flash drives and micro sd, lots off controlers for for everyone, no more expensive services, no more hacking and user data colection, works all games, extreme cpu and gpu. And lots of more.

 

[dozenfury]

I am pretty skeptical since there have been a lot of these types of boxes that have flopped. Radeon graphics is also really vague since that's a wide gambit. In the end I'm not sure what the benefit of this is over a $50-$75 Pi or set-top box. Those have plenty of power for emulating old retro games or streaming video. And if I wanted something simple to setup with a bit more power than a Pi or set-top box the Shield at $180 seems like a better option than this at $250-$300. But we'll see, it looks like they are giving it some effort at least.

 

[dorsetknob]

What is a "specifically designed" AMD processor? Is it not off the shelf?

Off the Shelf low Binned Ryzen laser cut to Make it a " Custom specifically designed SKU and BGA of Course"
This is of Coure pure non Fanboy Speculation

 

[Durvelle27]

Ryzen and Vega

You guys will see

It will destroy everything

 

[HammerON]

This may have to be my 4-year olds first gaming console
My first one was the original Atari

 

[metalfiber]

Hah , I've got a ColecoVision...oh God the flashbacks are...back.

 

[efikkan]

I surely hope it's a quality console built for running new games, and not something like the cheap Nintendo-licensed NES/SNES mini consoles, which are just the cheapest hardware with a poor emulator and a few games.

Crowdfounding doesn't sound good though.

 

[AsRock]

Where are the controllers? If they make ones like these on USB, I will laugh so hard...

OMG NO, by all means they were tuff but dam my palm of my hand used to get blisters lol.

 

[fritoking]

where are the Nvidia features?

OMG NO, by all means they were tuff but dam my palm of my hand used to get blisters lol.

Yeahhhhh....the "controller" gave your palm blisters..... Ok...

 

[Totally]

What is a "specifically designed" AMD processor? Is it not off the shelf? I see Lisa Su posted something about that on her twitter........... just would like to know what customizations, if any, were used...

My guess is a laptop part that is going to run at no so laptop like specs. Kind of coincides with what AMDs currently working on(APUs) and trying to push out the door.

 

[Warrgarbl]

If anything I think it looks really cool. They totally nailed the classic Atari look and even managed to get some wood in there that actually looks great