The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, was a popular home computer introduced by Commodore International in August 1982. It quickly became one of the most successful personal computers of all time, with an estimated 17 million units sold worldwide.
The C64 was designed to be an affordable and accessible computer for the general public. Its name came from its 64 kilobytes (65,536 bytes) of RAM, which was a huge amount of memory for a home computer at the time.
The C64 featured a 1.023 MHz MOS Technology 6510 processor, a custom sound chip called the SID (Sound Interface Device), and a high-resolution graphics chip capable of displaying up to 16 colors at a resolution of 320×200 pixels.
The computer was bundled with the Commodore BASIC programming language, which allowed users to write their own software and games. It also had a wide variety of software available, including productivity software, educational programs, and games.
The C64 was an enormous success, selling millions of units worldwide and spawning a thriving community of developers and enthusiasts. It was used for everything from gaming to business applications, and it helped to usher in the era of personal computing.
Despite its success, the C64 was eventually overtaken by newer and more powerful computers, such as the IBM PC and the Apple Macintosh. However, its legacy lives on, and it remains a beloved and iconic piece of computing history.
Fun facts about the Commodore 64:
- The C64 was initially priced at $595, which was relatively cheap for a home computer at the time.
- The C64’s graphics capabilities were considered groundbreaking at the time, and it was often used in the creation of early video games.
- The C64’s sound chip, the SID, was also highly regarded for its ability to produce realistic sound effects and music.
- The C64 had a cartridge slot on the side of the machine, which allowed users to easily add new software and games.
- The C64 was so popular in the 1980s that it was featured in a number of movies and TV shows, including “WarGames,” “Knight Rider,” and “The A-Team.”
- The C64 had a cult following among hackers and programmers, who used it to create a variety of software and even hardware modifications.
- The C64 was also used in scientific and academic settings, thanks to its affordable price and powerful capabilities.
- The C64 was officially discontinued by Commodore in 1994, but it remains a beloved classic among retro computing enthusiasts to this day.
