Atari Painter

During an interview in 1993 about the Jaguar, Sam Tramiel intimated that the Jaguar could be used as the basis for new computer models and that Atari was still "interested" in the computer market.  While no more was ever heard publicly about future Atari computer products, plans were being drawn up for a new home computer based on the Jaguar architecture.  As early as August 1992, the Atari R&D team headed by Richard Miller were sketching out plans for a new computer codenamed "Painter".  What was left of the Atari TOS group (the internal team responsible for the Atari OS and Computer division) were being asked to produce a wishlist of components based around a core computing architecture which had already being decided on, the Jaguar.  With the Jaguar system already being readied for launch as Atari's new gaming platform, the proposed computer would utilize the development of the Jaguar technology and build a powerful RISC based home computer.  Not only would Atari be optimizing their R&D spend on Jaguar by its dual use, they could re-launch the brand back into the computer market, something many within Atari were pushing to see happen.  While there is no confirmation if any actual working prototype existed, the case was made ready based on a final specification.  Richard Miller said the project was ill conceived from the start and it wasn't going anywhere due to changes within the company and its direct focus on the gaming platform.