Commodore 64 facts for kids
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| Type | Home computer |
|---|---|
| Release date | August 1982 |
| Introductory price | US$ 595 (1982) |
| Discontinued | April 1994 |
| Units sold | 12.5 – 17 million |
| Operating system | Commodore KERNAL/ Commodore BASIC 2.0 GEOS (optionally) |
| CPU | MOS Technology 6510 @ 1.023 MHz (NTSC version) @ 0.985 MHz (PAL version) |
| Memory | 64 kB RAM + 20 kB ROM |
| Graphics | VIC-II (320 × 200, 16 colors, sprites, raster interrupt) |
| Sound | SID 6581 (3× Osc, 4× wave, filter, ADSR, ring) |
| Connectivity | 2× CIA 6526 joystick, Power, ROM cartridge, RF, A/V, IEEE-488 floppy-printer, digital tape, GPIO/RS-232 |
| Predecessor | Commodore VIC-20 |
| Successor | Commodore 128 |
The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, was a very popular home computer launched in January 1982. It was made by a company called Commodore International. This computer is famous for being listed in the Guinness World Records as the best-selling single computer model of all time! Experts believe between 10 and 17 million C64s were sold. It first went on sale in August 1982 for about US$595.
The C64 was the most popular computer for many families throughout the 1980s. For several years, it held a huge share of the computer market in the US. It even sold more units than computers from Apple Inc. and Atari.
A big reason for the Commodore 64's success was how it was sold. You could buy it in regular stores, not just special electronics or computer shops. This made it easy for many families to get their hands on a computer. It's often compared to the Ford Model T car, which also helped bring new technology to many homes by being affordable and widely available.
Thousands of different programs were made for the Commodore 64. These included tools for school or work, and lots of video games! The C64 also helped make the computer demoscene popular. This is a special computer art subculture where people create amazing visual and audio programs. Even today, some computer hobbyists still use the C64. In 2008, many years after it stopped being made, most people still recognized the C64 brand.
Software and Fun
When the C64 came out in 1982, its graphics and sound were really impressive. They were much better than many other computers and game consoles at the time, like the Atari 2600. The C64 is often seen as the starting point for the demoscene, where people create cool digital art and music programs.
Other articles
Images for kids
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The Commodore 64 startup screen
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Game cartridges for Radar Rat Race and International Soccer
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Commodore MAX Machine
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Commodore Educator 64
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Commodore SX-64
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Commodore 64C with 1541-II floppy disk drive and 1084S monitor displaying television-compatible S-Video
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Commodore 64 Games System "C64GS"
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The Simons' BASIC interpreter start-up screen.
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The two PETSCII character sets of the C64
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Sprites on screen in a C64 game
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Three case styles were used: C64 (top, 1982), C64C (1986, middle) and C64G (1987, bottom)
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An early C64 motherboard (Rev A PAL 1982)
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A C64C motherboard ("C64E" Rev B PAL 1992)
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Joystick ports, power switch, power inlet
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Commodore 64 ports (from left: Joy1, Joy2, Power, ROM cartridge, RF-adj, RF modulator, A/V, Serial 488 bus, Tape, User)
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C64 Direct-to-TV
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The C64 "Web.it" Internet Computer
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THEC64 Mini (top) next to an original C64
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Full-size THEC64 in its original box
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Commodore 1541 floppy drive
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Commodore 1541C floppy drive
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Commodore 1541-II floppy drive
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Commodore 1530 Datasette
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Commodore MPS-802 dot matrix printer
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Commodore VIC-Modem
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Commodore 1351 mouse
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Commodore 1702 video monitor
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See also
In Spanish: Commodore 64 para niños
