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Commodore 64 rises from the 80s

By Hani Megerisi

Posted on 25 Mar 2010 at 15:59

The Commodore 64, the darling of the 1980s computer world, is to return this summer.

The rights to the name were bought by Florida-based company Commodore USA, which is looking to capitalise on any lingering affection for the brand.

The new Commodore 64 retains its predecessor's all-in-one keyboard design, although the familiar beige livery is usurped by a metallic silver design. The ‘64’ no longer refers to the 64KB of memory, but (rather conveniently) to the 64-bit processor.

It will be released in a variety of configurations. The top-of-the-range model will sport an Intel Core 2 Quad processor, up to 4GB of RAM, a 2TB hard disk and gigabit Ethernet. The computer will ship with Ubuntu Linux, although it can be "upgraded" to Windows 7.

The company plans to introduce lesser-powered models designed purely for web surfing and email, that are fitted with a 5W power supply, according to company president Barry Altman.

Commodore USA has yet to announce pricing for the new-look 64, and the company's not sure whether it will arrive on these shores. “It’ll initially be released in the US [on 1 June] and maybe we’ll roll it out later to the rest of the world,” Altman added.

The original Commodore 64 was released in 1982 and swiftly became a household name. The machine continued to sell until 1994, when the firm filed for bankruptcy.

Several attempts have been made to rehash the Commodore brand over the years, including as gaming machines in 2007.

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User comments

Yay!

I loved the Commmodore 64 and the Atari ST (520 and 1040) we had when I was growing up!

At work, we get loads of laptops with damaged screens (dang kids) and it's often not worth buying a replacement screen, so we just tear the screen off and use it as keyboard-PC, just like the C64 - we all think they're fantastic! So if you can get one with desktop-power components in, I'm sold!

By bioreit on 25 Mar 2010

Yeah but things are better now

Do you really want to be typing on that keyboard.

Relieved the storage is not on a compact cassette.

Cute idea.. doubt I would want one, despite the nostalgia it evokes

By tymitoh on 25 Mar 2010

That's Just brilliant!

Buy the rights to the "E-Type" Jag. Then produce a new version with a Honda engine and Ford Escort bodywork! Everybody would want one!

"Look at my new 'E-Type' everyone - man those were the days!"

Now if they just used a remodelled version of the original box with a modern keyboard I could see people wanting one but otherwise what's the point! I can stick a C64 badge on my Tower but it wouldn't remind me of my youth!

By Coastline1 on 26 Mar 2010

I quite like it.

I associate Commodore with home computing and the device they are proposing looks like its aimed at home use. So it makes sense to me!

I quite like the idea of an easily movable all in one PC.

I also like the fact that you can get it with Ubuntu which means no problem with paying the windows tax.

So good luck to them.

By langdona1 on 26 Mar 2010

Not convinced

I loved my 64. If you could get a basic PC in the old 64 case (with a couple of extra keys) then I'd get one for the nostalgia/geekiness of it. This one looks a bit nasty and like a cheap cash-in.

By scombellack on 26 Mar 2010

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