The Commodore 64 sports 64K of memory, a leading edge video chip capable of producing images at 320 X 200 from a pallette of 16 colors, a text mode that displays 40 characters and 25 rows in upper/lowercase as well as Commodore's PETSCII graphics set, a fully programmable parallel IO port, and a high quality 3-voice, 8-octive additive synthesizer sound chip also capable of 8-bit PCM audio samples.

The Commodore 64 was largely purchased to take advantage of the amazing library of ingenious game and leisure programs produced. The Commodore 64 also introduced millions to word processing, spreadsheet accounting, tax preparation, MIDI music development, data filing and mining through databases, and computer programming.

The Commodore 64 is also known for its simplicity. The box it came in welcomes the user to "the world of friendly computing". The keyboard casing (called a "breadbox") is as charming and unintimidating as it is hard on the wrists. More than any other, the "C64" is both the quintessential home computer, and a trademark "Commodore" product.

Statistics and features:

CPU: CSG 6510

• 1 Mhz clock speed.

RAM: 64 kilobytes

ROM: 20 kilobytes

• C64 Kernal
  • Download the Kernal Rom
• CBM Basic 2.0
  • Download the BASIC Rom

Video: MOS 6569 "VIC-II"

• 320 x 200 Hi-Resolution
• 40 columns text
  • Download the Character ROM
• Palette of 16 colors.

Sound: MOS 6581 "SID"

• 3 voice stereo synthesizer/digital sound capabilities

Ports: MOS 6526 CIA x2

• 2 Joystick/Mouse ports
• Round female DIN CBM Serial port
• Male edge-connector CBM Datasette port
• Male edge-connector parallel programmable "User" port
• Round DIN CBM Monitor port
• RCA-Style RF Audio/Video port
• Female edge-connector C64 expansion port
• Power switch

Keyboard: Full-sized 62 key QWERTY

• 8 programmable function keys
• 4 direction 2-key cursor-pad

Resources:

• C64 Users Guide
• C64 Programmer's Reference
• View PLA info
• View the service manual
• View information about the VIC-II

Personal Note: Like most Commies, this was my first Commodore computer, acquired as a Christmas present in 1983. In 1986, I upgraded to a C128 and never looked back. The 64s I have now were both acquired from Good Will Computerworks here in Austin.

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