Commodore 64 Home Computer - C64

(Commodore International - June 1982)

The main component of the Commodore 64 home computer system is the main computer console... it serves as the central core for this home computer system.

The case of the C64 is probably the most recognizable in home computing lore. It's iconic "bread box" shape, while not practical, nor aesthetically pleasing, it was very functional.

The commodore 64 was a workhorse. It had a huge amount of expansion and accessory capability. You could hook up external floppy disk drives, external hard drives, joysticks, mice, digitizers, robots, printers, and a plethora of other devices. it was quite easy to have your desk crammed with devices hooked to your Commodore 64.

The gigantic power supply brick was about 1/4 the size of the CPU! But unlike some computers of the era it was detachable so it could be easily replaced if it started acting up.

The cartridge port was in an awkward spot at the back of the unit. Hundreds of games and applications were available on cartridge not to mention other expansion accessories that could use the cartridge port, such as memory expansion cartridges.

For over a decade the C64 dominated the home computer market and it's gaming capabilities rivaled if not surpassed the dedicated gaming consoles of the era. The library of programs and games for the system numbered in the thousands and with it's built in Commodore Basic 2.0, you could easily write your own applications if none were available.

Even though the C64 was the most popular model for the Commodore 64 line, many other models were built, such as the low profile 64C, the Plus 4 and the legendary portable Commodore SX-64 with it's built in color monitor.

Even though this unit was not pretty... it defined an era, a culture, and an entire generation in home computing history... and remains popular for retro enthusiasts today.

System Specifications for the Commodore 64

Basic system specifications for the Commodore 64 computer system/gaming console are listed below.

Model:

C64

Announced:

January 1982

Release date:

August 1982

Discontinued:

April 1994

Original Price:

US $595

Units Sold:

US Over 17,000,000 | Worldwide Over 30,000,000

Operating System:

Commodore BASIC 2.0

CPU:

MOS Technology 6510 @ 1.02 MHz

ROM:

20k

RAM:

64k ram
expandable via user port and cartridge port

Display:

Built-in TV modulator
40x25 text
320 x 200 graphics, 16 colors

Keyboard:

Full-stroke 66 keyboard with 4 function keys

Sound:

3 voices in 9 octaves and 4 waveforms

Dimensions:

15-3/4"W (400mm) x 8"D (203mm) x 3"H (76mm)

Power Supply:

External Power Supply #310416-08

Input 120v 60hz 0.5a AC

Output +5v DC 2.5a
9v AC 1.0a

Ports:

TV RF output
RGB (composite, chroma/luma and sound in/out)
(2) CIA 6581 joystick port
Cartridge port
300bps tape drive port
RS-232 serial port
GPIO user port

User Comments

Below are the user comments about the Commodore 64 - Computer topic. Feel free to join the conversation and share your comments or experiences with the Geek Vintage community.

(1) comments leave a comment

Commodore 64

jboypacman | Mar 04, 2010 7:35pm

My memories of the C-64 go back to spending a week with one of my aunt and uncle's and them having this mysterious but wonderful machine in a little corner of there house almost behind the washer and dryer in a makeshift office of sorts. On one of those days staying with them i found a book on programming basic games for the system and i spent hours typing in some basic computer commands and such in hopes to create a exciting game to play listed in the book i found. Once finished typing every single line i hit the command/enter as shown in the instructions the screen went blank! All my hard work was lost! This was my first and only try out such a thing as a young boy walked a way in a sad low....But i did return later with my older cousin who set me up a game of Toy Bizzare(?) i think it was on a flop disc and we played a away the rest of the day on that game so my sad story turned into glad one.....Maybe i should try my had at programming again someday?Nah lol.