REUs of 128 KB and 512 KB, originally designed for the C128, were also available, but required the user to buy a stronger power supply from some third party supplier; with the 1764 this was included. Creative Micro Designs also produced a 2 MB REU for the C64 and C128, called the 1750 XL.
REUs of 128 KB and 512 KB, originally designed for the C128, were also available, but required the user to buy a stronger power supply from some third party supplier; with the 1764 this was included. Creative Micro Designs also produced a 2 MB REU for the C64 and C128, called the 1750 XL.
With support for multicolor sprites and a custom chip for waveform generation, the C64 could create superior visuals and audio compared to systems without such custom hardware. The C64 dominated the low-end computer market (except in the UK and Japan, lasting only about six months in Japan) for most of the later years of the 1980s.
The C64 did however go on to rival the Spectrum in popularity in the latter half of the 1980s.
A handful of PAL region games used bank switched cartridges to get around the 16 KB memory limit. === BASIC === As is common for home computers of the early 1980s, the C64 comes with a BASIC interpreter, in ROM.
The C64 CP/M cartridge is also not compatible with anything except the early 326298 motherboards. === Networking software === During the 1980s, the Commodore 64 was used to run bulletin board systems using software packages such as Punter BBS, Bizarre 64, Blue Board, C-Net, Color 64, CMBBS, C-Base, DMBBS, Image BBS, EBBS, and The Deadlock Deluxe BBS Construction Kit, often with sysop-made modifications.
Online graphics in the late 1980s were severely restricted by the need to support modem data transfer rates as low as 300 bits per second.
In 2011, 17 years after it was taken off the market, research showed that brand recognition for the model was still at 87%. == History == In January 1981, MOS Technology, Inc., Commodore's integrated circuit design subsidiary, initiated a project to design the graphic and audio chips for a next-generation video game console.
Design work for the chips, named MOS Technology VIC-II (Video Integrated Circuit for graphics) and MOS Technology SID (Sound Interface Device for audio), was completed in November 1981.
The Commodore 64, also known as the C64 or the CBM 64, is an 8-bit [computer] introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International (first shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, 7–10 January 1982, in Las Vegas).
Volume production started in early 1982, marketing in August for .
The chips were complete by November, by which time Charpentier, Winterble, and Tramiel had decided to proceed with the new computer; the latter set a final deadline for the first weekend of January, to coincide with the 1982 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The product was code named the VIC-40 as the successor to the popular VIC-20.
The C64 made an impressive debut at the January 1982 Consumer Electronics Show, as recalled by Production Engineer David A.
Although many systems were mentioned in two categories, just two systems were mentioned in three categories, and only one in four categories—the Apple Macintosh." Apart from this, the Apple II was the winner in the category of home computer over $500, which was the category the Commodore 64 was in when it was first released at the price of $595. === Market war: 1982–1983 === Commodore had a reputation for announcing products that never appeared, so sought to quickly ship the C64.
Production began in spring 1982 and volume shipments began in August.
TI's subsequent demise in the home computer industry in October 1983 was seen as revenge for TI's tactics in the electronic calculator market in the mid-1970s, when Commodore was almost bankrupted by TI. All four machines had similar memory configurations which were standard in 1982–83: 48 KB for the Apple II+ (upgraded within months of C64's release to 64 KB with the Apple IIe) and 48 KB for the Atari 800.
One key to the C64's success was Commodore's aggressive marketing tactics, and they were quick to exploit the relative price/performance divisions between its competitors with a series of television commercials after the C64's launch in late 1982.
While 360,000 C64s were sold in 1982, about 1.3 million were sold in 1983, followed by a large spike in 1984 when 2.6 million were sold.
Although no specific reason was given for the C65's cancellation, it would have competed in the marketplace with Commodore's lower-end Amigas and the Commodore CDTV. == Software == In 1982, the C64's graphics and sound capabilities were rivaled only by the Atari 8-bit family and appeared exceptional when compared with the widely publicized Atari VCS and Apple II.
A few early C64 cartridges released in 1982 use Ultimax mode (or MAX mode), a leftover feature of the failed MAX Machine.
The second revision is found on all C64s made from late 1982 through 1985.
The first production C64s, made in 1982 to early 1983, are known as "silver label" models due to the case sporting a silver-colored "Commodore" logo.
In late 1982, Commodore introduced the familiar "rainbow badge" case, but many machines produced into early 1983 also used silver label cases until the existing stock of them was used up.
The prototype SID and some very early production models featured a ceramic dual in-line package, but unlike the VIC-II, these are extremely rare as the SID was encased in plastic when production started in early 1982. ==== Motherboard ==== In 1986, Commodore released the last revision to the classic C64 motherboard.
The usually failing voltage regulator could be replaced by piggy-backing a new regulator onto the board and fitting a heat sink on top. The original PSU included on early 1982–83 machines had a 5-pin connector that could accidentally be plugged into the video output of the computer.
At the introduction in 1982, the production cost was US$135 and the retail price US$595.
Ziembicki: "All we saw at our booth were Atari people with their mouths dropping open, saying, 'How can you do that for $595?'" The answer was vertical integration; due to Commodore's ownership of MOS Technology's semiconductor fabrication facilities, each C64 had an estimated production cost of . === Reception === In July 1983, BYTE magazine stated that "the 64 retails for $595.
During 1983, however, a trickle of software turned into a flood and sales began rapidly climbing, especially with price cuts from $600 to just $300 ($ to $ in ). Commodore sold the C64 not only through its network of authorized dealers, but also through department stores, discount stores, toy stores and college bookstores.
Unlike the IIe, the C64's NTSC output capability also included separate luminance/chroma signal output equivalent to (and electrically compatible with) S-Video, for connection to the Commodore 1702 monitor, providing even better video quality than a composite signal. Aggressive pricing of the C64 is considered to have been a major catalyst in the video game crash of 1983.
In January 1983, Commodore offered a $100 rebate in the United States on the purchase of a C64 to anyone that traded in another video game console or computer.
In June 1983 the company lowered the price to $300, and some stores sold the computer for $199.
TI's subsequent demise in the home computer industry in October 1983 was seen as revenge for TI's tactics in the electronic calculator market in the mid-1970s, when Commodore was almost bankrupted by TI. All four machines had similar memory configurations which were standard in 1982–83: 48 KB for the Apple II+ (upgraded within months of C64's release to 64 KB with the Apple IIe) and 48 KB for the Atari 800.
The company also published detailed documentation to help developers, while Atari initially kept technical information secret. Although many early C64 games were inferior Atari 8-bit ports, by late 1983 the growing installed base caused developers to create new software with better graphics and sound.
In the UK, the 48K Spectrum had not only been released a few months ahead of the C64's early 1983 debut, but it was also selling for £175, less than half the C64's £399 price.
Adjusted to the size of population, the popularity of Commodore 64 was the highest in Finland at roughly 3 units per 100 inhabitants, where it was subsequently marketed as "the Computer of the Republic". Rumors spread in late 1983 that Commodore would discontinue the C64.
While 360,000 C64s were sold in 1982, about 1.3 million were sold in 1983, followed by a large spike in 1984 when 2.6 million were sold.
Schools did not prefer the Educator 64 to the wide range of software and hardware options the Apple IIe was able to offer, and it was produced in limited quantities. === SX-64 === Also in 1983, Commodore released the SX-64, a portable version of the C64.
Few cassette C64 programs were released in the US after 1983 and, in North America, the diskette was the principal method of software distribution.
The first production C64s, made in 1982 to early 1983, are known as "silver label" models due to the case sporting a silver-colored "Commodore" logo.
In late 1982, Commodore introduced the familiar "rainbow badge" case, but many machines produced into early 1983 also used silver label cases until the existing stock of them was used up.
In the spring of 1983, the original 326298 board was replaced by the 250407 motherboard which sported an 8-pin video connector and added S-video support for the first time.
The ceramic package was more expensive, but it dissipated heat more effectively than plastic. After a redesign in 1983, the VIC-II was encased in a plastic dual in-line package, which reduced costs substantially, but it did not totally eliminate the heat problem.
The computer reportedly had a 30% return rate in late 1983, compared to the 5–7% the industry considered acceptable.
Creative Computing, January 1983. Amiga Format News Special.
An 8K-byte interpreted BASIC" which they assumed was because "Obviously, Commodore feels that most home users will be running prepackaged software-there is no provision for using graphics (or sound as mentioned above) from within a BASIC program except by means of POKE commands." This was one of very few warnings about C64 BASIC published in any computer magazines. Creative Computing said in December 1984 that the 64 was "the overwhelming winner" in the category of home computers under $500.
It was the only non-discontinued, widely available home computer by then, with more than 500,000 sold during the Christmas season; because of production problems in Atari's supply chain, by the start of 1984 "the Commodore 64 largely has [the low-end] market to itself right now", The Washington Post reported. === 1984–1987 === With sales booming and the early reliability issues with the hardware addressed, software for the C64 began to grow in size and ambition during 1984.
While 360,000 C64s were sold in 1982, about 1.3 million were sold in 1983, followed by a large spike in 1984 when 2.6 million were sold.
It was otherwise identical to the 1984 design, except for the two 64 kilobit × 4 bit DRAM chips that replaced the original eight 64 kilobit × 1 bit ICs.
To prevent the user from making this damaging mistake, Commodore changed the plug design on 250407 motherboards to a 3-pin connector in 1984.
By 1985, games were an estimated 60 to 70% of Commodore 64 software.Computer Gaming World stated in January 1985 that companies such as Epyx that survived the video game crash did so because they "jumped on the Commodore bandwagon early." Over 35% of SSI's 1986 sales were for the C64, ten points higher than for the Apple II.
By early 1985 the C64's price was $149; with an estimated production cost of $35–50, its profitability was still within the industry-standard markup of two to three times.
Commodore sold about one million C64s in 1985 and a total of 3.5 million by mid-1986.
Quantum Link (or Q-Link) was a US and Canadian online service for Commodore 64 and 128 personal computers that operated from 5 November 1985, to 1 November 1994.
The second revision is found on all C64s made from late 1982 through 1985.
In 1985, the retail price went down to US$149 (US$ today) and the production costs were believed to be somewhere between US$35–50 ( Commodore would not confirm this cost figure.
By 1985, games were an estimated 60 to 70% of Commodore 64 software.Computer Gaming World stated in January 1985 that companies such as Epyx that survived the video game crash did so because they "jumped on the Commodore bandwagon early." Over 35% of SSI's 1986 sales were for the C64, ten points higher than for the Apple II.
In 1986, Commodore introduced the 64C, a redesigned 64, which Compute! saw as evidence that—contrary to C64 owners' fears that the company would abandon them in favor of the Amiga and 128—"the 64 refuses to die." Its introduction also meant that Commodore raised the price of the C64 for the first time, which the magazine cited as the end of the home-computer price war.
In 1986, Commodore released the 64C computer, which is functionally identical to the original.
In 1986, Commodore released two mice for the C64 and C128, the 1350 and 1351.
In 2007, Timbaland's extensive use of the SidStation led to the plagiarism controversy for "Block Party" and "Do It" (written for Nelly Furtado). In 1986, the Sound Expander was released for the Commodore 64.
This case design was used until the C64C appeared in 1986.
The prototype SID and some very early production models featured a ceramic dual in-line package, but unlike the VIC-II, these are extremely rare as the SID was encased in plastic when production started in early 1982. ==== Motherboard ==== In 1986, Commodore released the last revision to the classic C64 motherboard.
Software sales also remained strong; MicroProse, for example, in 1987 cited the Commodore and IBM PC markets as its top priorities. === 1988–1994 === By 1988 PC compatibles were the largest and fastest-growing home and entertainment software markets, displacing former leader Commodore.
The 6581 was replaced with the MOS Technology 8580 in 1987.
The new chipset was renumbered to 85xx to reflect the change to HMOS. In 1987, Commodore released a 64C variant with a highly redesigned motherboard commonly known as a "short board".
Software sales also remained strong; MicroProse, for example, in 1987 cited the Commodore and IBM PC markets as its top priorities. === 1988–1994 === By 1988 PC compatibles were the largest and fastest-growing home and entertainment software markets, displacing former leader Commodore.
Commodore 64 software sales were almost unchanged in the third quarter of 1988 year over year while the overall market grew 42%, but the company was still selling 1 to 1.5 million units worldwide each year of what Computer Chronicles that year called "the Model T of personal computers".
it's going to shrink as part of our business." One computer gaming executive stated that the Nintendo Entertainment System's enormous popularityseven million sold in 1988, almost as many as the number of C64s sold in its first five yearshad stopped the C64's growth.
First released as Habitat in 1988, Club Caribe was introduced by LucasArts for Q-Link customers on their Commodore 64 computers.
Sam Tramiel, a later Atari president and the son of Commodore's founder, said in a 1989 interview, "When I was at Commodore we were building C64s a month for a couple of years." In the UK market, the C64 faced competition from the BBC Micro and the ZX Spectrum, but the C64 was still the second most popular computer in the UK after the ZX Spectrum.
After that, sales held steady at between 1.3 and 1.6 million a year for the remainder of the decade and then dropped off after 1989.
European programmers also tended to exploit advanced features of the C64's hardware more than their US counterparts. In the United States, demand for 8- and 16-bit computers all but ceased as the 1990s began and PC compatibles completely dominated the computer market.
Later, a smaller, sleeker 1541-II model was introduced, along with the 3.5-inch microfloppy 1581. === Commodore 64 Games System === In 1990, the C64 was repackaged in the form of a game console, called the C64 Games System (C64GS), with most external connectivity removed.
It was another commercial failure for Commodore, and it was never released outside Europe. === Commodore 65 === In 1990, an advanced successor to the C64, the Commodore 65 (also known as the "C64DX"), was prototyped, but the project was canceled by Commodore's chairman Irving Gould in 1991.
Trip Hawkins reinforced that sentiment, stating that Nintendo was "the last hurrah of the 8-bit world." SSI exited the Commodore 64 market in 1991, after most competitors.
Ultima VI, released in 1991, was the last major C64 game release from a North American developer, and the Simpsons Arcade Game, published by Ultra Games, was the last arcade conversion.
It was another commercial failure for Commodore, and it was never released outside Europe. === Commodore 65 === In 1990, an advanced successor to the C64, the Commodore 65 (also known as the "C64DX"), was prototyped, but the project was canceled by Commodore's chairman Irving Gould in 1991.
It was operated by Quantum Computer Services of Vienna, Virginia, which in October 1991 changed its name to America Online and continued to operate its AOL service for the IBM PC compatible and Apple Macintosh.
In March 1994, at CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, Commodore announced that the C64 would be finally discontinued in 1995, noting that the Commodore 1541 cost more than the C64 itself. However, only one month later in April 1994, the company filed for bankruptcy.
Quantum Link (or Q-Link) was a US and Canadian online service for Commodore 64 and 128 personal computers that operated from 5 November 1985, to 1 November 1994.
In March 1994, at CeBIT in Hanover, Germany, Commodore announced that the C64 would be finally discontinued in 1995, noting that the Commodore 1541 cost more than the C64 itself. However, only one month later in April 1994, the company filed for bankruptcy.
In the middle of 2004, after an absence from the marketplace of more than 10 years, PC manufacturer Tulip Computers BV (owners of the Commodore brand since 1997) announced the C64 Direct-to-TV (C64DTV), a joystick-based [TV game|TV game] based on the C64 with 30 video games built into ROM.
In the middle of 2004, after an absence from the marketplace of more than 10 years, PC manufacturer Tulip Computers BV (owners of the Commodore brand since 1997) announced the C64 Direct-to-TV (C64DTV), a joystick-based [TV game|TV game] based on the C64 with 30 video games built into ROM.
The product was advertised on QVC in the United States for the 2004 holiday season.
In 2007, Timbaland's extensive use of the SidStation led to the plagiarism controversy for "Block Party" and "Do It" (written for Nelly Furtado). In 1986, the Sound Expander was released for the Commodore 64.
As of 2008, it became possible to play four channel 8-bit audio samples, 2 SID channels and still use filtering. There are two versions of the SID chip: the 6581 and the 8580.
In 2011, 17 years after it was taken off the market, research showed that brand recognition for the model was still at 87%. == History == In January 1981, MOS Technology, Inc., Commodore's integrated circuit design subsidiary, initiated a project to design the graphic and audio chips for a next-generation video game console.
PC clones branded as C64x sold by Commodore USA, LLC, a company licensing the Commodore trademark, began shipping in June 2011.
As late as December 2013, there were 25 such Bulletin Board Systems in operation, reachable via the Telnet protocol.
The games were unlisted from the service as of August 2013 for unknown reasons. === THEC64 and THEC64 Mini === THEC64 Mini is an unofficial Linux-based console that emulates the Commodore 64, released in 2018 by UK-based Retro Games.
The DTV hardware is also used in the mini-console Hummer, sold at RadioShack in mid-2005. In 2015, a Commodore 64 compatible motherboard was produced by Individual Computers.
The games were unlisted from the service as of August 2013 for unknown reasons. === THEC64 and THEC64 Mini === THEC64 Mini is an unofficial Linux-based console that emulates the Commodore 64, released in 2018 by UK-based Retro Games.
It is possible to load new software ROMs into the console, which uses emulator x64 (as part of VICE) to run software, and has a built-in graphical operating system. The full-size THEC64 was released in 2019 in Europe and Australia, and was scheduled for release in November 2020 in the North American market.
It is possible to load new software ROMs into the console, which uses emulator x64 (as part of VICE) to run software, and has a built-in graphical operating system. The full-size THEC64 was released in 2019 in Europe and Australia, and was scheduled for release in November 2020 in the North American market.
All text is taken from Wikipedia. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License .
Page generated on 2021-08-05