The 1088XEL is a homebrew Atari 8-bit computer board, and in a video published on 27 September 2026, flashjazzcat takes one through a round of repairs and upgrades. The result is an Atari-compatible machine with HDMI video, a wireless USB keyboard and MIDI.
What the video covers
The hour-long video starts with the machine as it arrived: an existing 1088XEL build with an Ultimate 1MB memory upgrade, and the back story of why its previous owner parted with it. A good part of the first half goes to fixing that build, from Dupont connector problems to soldering issues.
The second half covers the upgrades the new owner asked for: a Sophia 3 video board, a PokeyMAX 4 sound upgrade, a MIDI board and an AKI USB keyboard adapter, whose connector is moved to fit the case. After the machine is powered on, flashjazzcat runs an HDMI test, shows TK-II keyboard shortcuts, checks the hard disk, and demonstrates a wireless USB keyboard and a VBXE demo.
Why it is worth watching
The appeal is the combination: a board built to run original Atari 8-bit software, fitted with parts that let it drive a modern display and use present-day input devices. The video is also candid that getting there took real repair work on someone else’s build, which makes it more useful than a finished-product showcase for anyone planning a similar machine.
Watch the original: “Atari 1088XEL with HDMI video, USB wireless keyboard, and MIDI” — flashjazzcat, 27 September 2026. Evilpigeon.dk has not tested the machine itself.
