"Executive Computer"
The SX64 is another example of pure Commodore excellence. Taking their
immensely popular Commodore 64 and packaging it in the worlds FIRST
color portable computer was nothing short of a stroke of genius.
The SX64 is a heavy beast, surrounded by a strong metal casing with its power supply located on the bottom (or back) of the unit. The case also has a large handle for carrying it around, or for proping up the unit for use (as shown in the pictures). The unit comes with a fully compatible Commodore 64 computer inside, as well as a mostly compatible 1541 disk drive configured as drive 8. A detachable keyboard snaps onto the front to act as a protective plate for the system.
When opened the SX64 reveals a four inch, full-color monitor, and a built in speaker allow the user
to enjoy all the capabilities of the computer unit.
A small compartment
above the disk drive acts as a free bay for cables. Otherwise, the only
differences between
SX64s and standard Commodore 64s are the screen colors used at startup
and better support for the internal disk drive. The SX64 uses startup colors
more suited to the small display. The better disk drive support came at the
expense of the tape drive support built in to the regular Commodore 64.
Rumor has it that Commodore meant to also release an DX64, which would
have included a second disk drive in the free bay area. Power contraints,
so I've heard, made it impractical.
ROM: 20 kilobytes (36k w/1541)
Ports: MOS 6526 CIA x2
Personal Note:
I *love* these! Both of mine are upgraded and babyed to death.
I keep one right by my main computer in order to multi-task. :)
Both of my SX64s were acquired in the late 80's in Tucson, Arizona
at a local swap meet.
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