The ATARI 1010 Cassette Recorder connects to the ATARI computer through an I/O cable. The 1010 loads programs into the computer's memory, and writes programs from the computer's memory onto cassette tape for storage purposes.

Two different ATARI 1010 Cassette Recorder units have been released: the 1010S unit and the 1010C unit. The 1010S unit is described first. It can be identified by the BPA99H-1010 prefix of its FCC ID No., which is located on the bottom of the unit. Also, on the 1010S unit, reading from left to right, the PAUSE button precedes the STOP/E3 button. The 1010C unit, which is discussed secondly below, has an FCC ID No. prefix of BPA7YJ-1010. On the 1010C unit the STOP/E3 button precedes the PAUSE button.