Commodore 64

8-bit home computer introduced in 1982

The Commodore 64 was a bestselling, 8-bit home computer from the 1980s. It had 64kb (65536 bytes) of RAM (Random Access Memory). It was created by Commodore International, and it entered the market in 1982. Around 17 million units are believed to have been sold.[5] The Commodore 64 is often credited with making personal computers popular amongst the masses. This quality sparked comparisons with the Ford Model T.[6][7] The Commodore 64 was offered at relatively low prices,[8] and was available in malls, department stores, and toy stores instead of solely in the shops of authorized dealers.[5][9]

Commodore 64
TypeHome computer
Release dateAugust 1982 (1982-08)[1][2]
Introductory priceUS$ 595 (1982)
DiscontinuedApril 1994
Units sold12.5[3] – 17[4] million
Operating systemCommodore KERNAL/
Commodore BASIC 2.0
GEOS (optionally)
CPUMOS Technology 6510
@ 1.023 MHz (NTSC version)
@ 0.985 MHz (PAL version)
Memory64 kB RAM + 20 kB ROM
GraphicsVIC-II (320 × 200, 16 colors, sprites, raster interrupt)
SoundSID 6581 (Osc, wave, filter, ADSR, ring)
ConnectivityCIA 6526 joystick, Power, ROM cartridge, RF, A/V, IEEE-488 floppy-printer, digital tape, GPIO/RS-232
PredecessorCommodore VIC-20
SuccessorCommodore 128

Other articles change

References change

  1. "World of Commodore Brochure (1983)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  2. July 1982 Commodore brochure
  3. "How many Commodore 64 computers were sold?". Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  4. Reimer, Jeremy. "Personal Computer Market Share: 1975–2004". Retrieved 2009-07-17.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Mihelich, Peggy (2007-12-07). "Commodore 64 still loved after all these years". CNN. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  6. Kahney, Leander (2003-09-09). "Grandiose Price for a Modest PC". Wired. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  7. Martin, Douglas (2012-04-10). "Jack Tramiel, a Pioneer in Computers, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  8. Reimer, Jeremy (2007-10-22). "A history of the Amiga, part 4: Enter Commodore". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  9. McLean, Prince (2009-09-06). "Apple approves Commodore 64 emulator for iPhone". Apple Insider. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2013-01-22.