The Atari 1040ST, launched in 1986, was a popular 16-bit home computer known for its affordability and advanced graphics and sound. Powered by a Motorola 68000 CPU at 8 MHz and featuring 1 MB of RAM, it was widely used for music production thanks to built-in MIDI ports. Competing with the Commodore Amiga, the 1040ST earned praise for its fast graphical interface and productivity software, becoming a favorite among musicians and hobbyists throughout the late 1980s.