Atari ST Book

Computer Model
Specifications
Manufacturer	Atari Corporation
Type	Laptop (notebook)
Discontinued	1993
CPU	Motorola 68HC000 @ 8 MHz
Memory	1 MB RAM (expandable to 4 MB)
Storage	Optional external 3.5″ floppy drive; optional 40/80/120 MB 2.5″ IDE hard drive
Display	10.4″ EPSON passive-matrix LCD (no backlight), 640×400 mono
Sound	Yamaha YM2149F (3 voices + noise)
OS / Firmware	Atari TOS 2.06 (modified)
Predecessor	Atari Stacy
Successor	None

The 'Atari ST Book' (also written as 'STBook', model number 'NST-141') is a notebook-sized laptop computer released in October 1991 by Atari Corporation. It was the second and final portable computer based on the Atari ST platform, succeeding the much larger and heavier Atari Stacy. The ST Book was designed by Tracey Hall and is based on the Atari STE architecture.

The ST Book is one of the rarest Atari computers ever produced, with an estimated 1,000–1,200 units manufactured. It was never widely sold at retail and saw only limited distribution, primarily in Europe through Atari's German subsidiary. Today it is a highly sought-after collector's item.

History

The ST Book was developed as Atari's answer to the growing notebook computer market of the early 1990s. Where the Stacy was essentially a desktop ST crammed into a luggable case weighing nearly 7 kg, the ST Book took a radically different approach: it prioritised portability above all else, sacrificing features to achieve a genuinely notebook-sized form factor.

Atari showed the ST Book at trade events in late 1991, positioning it as a lightweight, long-battery-life alternative for ST users. However, by this time the Atari ST platform was already declining in the face of competition from IBM PC compatibles and the Commodore Amiga. The ST Book's limited RAM (1 MB standard), lack of colour display, and absence of an internal floppy drive made it a difficult sell.

The ST Book was never officially launched in the United States. Most units were sold in Germany and other European markets. Production ended in 1993 when Atari shifted focus to the Jaguar games console and ultimately merged with JTS Corporation in 1996.

Design

The ST Book's design was remarkably thin for its era — just 36 mm (1.4 inches) thick — making it one of the slimmest full-featured computers available in 1991. It features a full-size keyboard and a clamshell form factor comparable to contemporary PC notebooks.

Key design decisions and trade-offs include:

'No backlight' — The 10.4″ passive-matrix LCD has no backlight, relying entirely on ambient light. The screen is highly reflective. This was a deliberate choice to maximise battery life.
'No internal floppy drive' — Unlike the Stacy, the ST Book has no built-in floppy drive. An external drive connects via the ACSI/FDD port. Some later units may have had internal floppy drives fitted, but this was not standard.
'No built-in pointing device' — The ST Book has no trackball or trackpad. An optional 'Vector Pad' accessory was available, and an external mouse could be connected.
'Battery powered' — The ST Book runs on 7 AA batteries or an optional rechargeable NiCd battery pack. Battery life was rated at up to 10 hours with the NiCd pack — exceptional for the era.
'AC adapter' — 110/220V switchable external power supply.

Technical specifications

Component	Specification
'CPU'	Motorola 68HC000 (low-power variant of the 68000), 8 MHz. 16-bit external data bus, 32-bit internal registers.
'RAM'	1 MB standard (low-power DRAM). Expandable to 4 MB.
'ROM'	512 KB. Modified Atari TOS 2.06 with power management extensions.
'Display'	10.4″ EPSON passive-matrix LCD. No backlight. 640×400 pixels, 1-bit monochrome. Highly reflective screen surface.
'Graphics'	640×400 mono only on internal display. No external video port.
'Sound'	Yamaha YM2149F PSG. Three square-wave channels plus noise generator.
'Storage'	Optional internal 2.5″ IDE hard drive (40 MB, 80 MB, or 120 MB). External floppy drive via ACSI/FDD port.
'Keyboard'	Full-size integrated keyboard.
'Pointing device'	None built-in. Optional Vector Pad accessory.
'Blitter'	Yes (hardware bit-block transfer).
'Ports'	1× Parallel (Centronics), 1× Serial (RS-232C), 1× ACSI/FDD (external floppy/hard drive), 2× MIDI (In/Out, 5-pin DIN), 1× External keyboard port, 1× Expansion port (optional internal modem).
'Power'	7× AA batteries, or optional rechargeable NiCd battery pack (up to 10 hours). AC adapter (110/220V switchable).
'Real-time clock'	Yes, with lithium backup battery.
'Dimensions'	8.5 × 11.4 × 1.4 inches (216 × 290 × 36 mm).
'Weight'	4.2 lb (1.9 kg).

Comparison with the Stacy

Feature	Atari Stacy (1989)	Atari ST Book (1991)
'Weight'	6.9 kg (15.2 lb)	1.9 kg (4.2 lb)
'Thickness'	84 mm	36 mm
'Display'	Backlit LCD	No backlight
'Internal floppy'	Yes	No (external only)
'Pointing device'	Built-in trackball	None
'Hard drive'	SCSI (20/40 MB)	IDE (40/80/120 MB)
'Battery life'	AC only (battery sealed)	Up to 10 hours (NiCd)
'TOS version'	1.04	2.06 (modified)
'Units produced'	~35,000+	~1,000–1,200

Known issues

'No backlight' — The screen is effectively unusable in dim or dark environments. There is no aftermarket backlight modification available.
'Capacitor failure' — Surface-mount electrolytic capacitors can leak or dry out, causing power instability and other faults. See the Atari ST Book Capacitor Replacement Guide.
'Battery compartment corrosion' — AA battery leakage can damage the battery contacts and nearby circuitry.
'Rarity of parts' — With only ~1,000 units produced, replacement parts and documentation are extremely scarce.
'Real-time clock battery' — The lithium RTC battery may need replacement after 30+ years.

Collectibility

The Atari ST Book is among the rarest and most collectible Atari computers. With estimated production of only 1,000–1,200 units, surviving examples in working condition command high prices on the collector's market. The ST Book's combination of extreme rarity, unusual form factor, and historical significance as Atari's final ST-based portable makes it a prized item for vintage computer collectors.

Maintenance and repair

External links