Commodore 64 returns for retro technology fans

[luke]

Commodore 64 returns for retro technology fans
The Commodore 64, an icon of 1980s computing, is returning to take advantage of the appetite for retro technology.

The original introduced a generation to the possibilities of home computing - including classic videogames such as Elite and International Karate.

Now it is being relaunched with an up-to-date WIndows PC under its original 1980s shell.

A new company, Commodore USA, is taking orders for the machine. Commodore International, responsible for the 8-bit original, went bankrupt in 1994.

The modern version features a dual-core Intel Atom D525 processor at 1.8GHz and 2GB of RAM. It will ship with emulator software to run original Commodore 64 programmes, which had to make to with MOS 6502 processor at 1MHz and 64K of RAM.

And while 1980s Commodore 64 programmes came on cassette tapes or floppy disks, its modern imitator has a USB ports, WiFi, a multiformat memory card reader and optional Blu-Ray drive.
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Commodore USA however said its had remained "as close to the original in design as humanly possible".

The new machine, which costs around £360, will ship from May or June onwards and will appear in shops later this year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8438780/Commodore-64-returns-for-retro-technology-fans.html

[faceless]

ah now, that's my Christmas present sorted with any luck!

I spray-painted my C64 flourescent green and orange. The lads at the local computer club (in 1985) were horrified... haha

[major.tom]

That brings back some memories. I didn't have my own C=64; had to get my fix from friends and family.

This hardware doesn't look bad. Atom processor may not be top of the line, but should be enough to play any of the classic games on your TV and then some.

[faceless]

Jack Tramiel died last week. Here's a short obituary from BBC radio.
http://www.youmicro.com/songs/JackTramielObituary-2012-04-20.mp3

[eefanincan]

[faceless]

well I'd taken it apart to see how it worked and then thought that I may as well make it 'mine'. Later, my Atari ST was painted black within about 4 months.

I was never one for uniformity... haha