Introduced in 1982, and on the market until 1994, the Commodore 64 was the highest-selling single computer model of all time, but the C64 wasn't the only computer produced by Commodore International or its affiliate, Commodore Business Machines.
Its first computer was the Commodore Kim-1, which was actually developed by MOS Technology in 1976, but MOS Technology later became Commodore Semiconductor Group. Intended for engineers, it quickly gained popularity with hobbyists, particularly given that it could be purchased as a kit for less than $250.
In 1977, Commodore International released the Commodore PET, which combined a microprocessor based on the Kim-1, Commodore BASIC in ROM, a keyboard, monitor, and a cassette deck for storage. The PET failed to get traction due to production problems that let a delivery date behind the TRS-80 and the Apple II. However, the PET formed the basis for its entire 8-bit product line, which included the Commodore 64.
Released in 1981, the Commodore VIC-20 was the first computer of any kind to sell a million units, and was one of the first general-purpose computers, designed to compete with the Apple II.
Released in 1981 and discontinued in 1984, the Commodore CBM-II was a short-lived series of 8-bit PCs from Commodore Business Machines. It was available in two series, the P series for personal computer usage and the B series for business use. However, due to the popularity of the C64, the P series was canceled in the United States even before it was officially released.
Also known as Ultimax, the Commodore MAX Machine was designed and marketed by Commodore International in Japan in 1982 and was rarely sold outside of Japan.
Also known as the C64 or the CBM 64, the Commodore 64 was an 8-bit PC that was distributed from 1982 to 1994, and still popular among collectors and hobbyists. The C64 dominated the low-end market throughout most of the 1980s, claiming forty percent of the US market, outselling IBM-compatibles, Apple computers, and the Atari family of computers. Much of its success is credited to its availability in regular retail stores rather than strictly in electronics or computer stores. Although the C64 has been off the market for more than twenty-five years, it still enjoys a high degree of brand recognition.
Also known as PET 64 and Model 4064, the Commodore Educator 64 was distributed to schools by Commodore Business Machines as a replacement for the aging PET systems.
The Commodore SX-64 (Executive 64) was a portable version of the C64. Although not a laptop, it featured a built-in five-inch composite monitor and floppy drive, and included a sturdy handle. Released in 1984, it was discontinued in 1986.
The Commodore 16 was designed to be an entry-level computer, replacing the VIC-20, and a low-end member of the Plus/4 family. Although it failed in the US market, it enjoyed some popularity in Mexico and Europe. The Commodore Plus/4 was released in 1984 and included a ROM-resident office suite of a word processor, spreadsheet, database, and graphing. Incompatible with the C64, it was a failure in the US market. The Commodore LCD was an LCD-equipped laptop that was introduced in 1985 but never released. The Commodore 128 was the last 8-bit PC released by Commodore Business Machines. It was produced from 1985 to 1989 and intended as a successor to the C64.
Created in 1990, the Commodore 65 never progressed beyond the prototype stage.
Produced by Commodore International, the Amiga series ran from 1985 to 1996, and included the Amiga 1000, 500, 2000, 2500, 1500, CDTV, 3000, 4000, 600, and 1200. The best-known model was the Amiga 500, which was one of the leading home computers in the late 1980s and early 1990s, selling about five million units. A combination of poor marketing and a failure to keep up with the technological advances of its earlier versions resulted in a loss of market share to the Apple Macintosh and the wide variety of inexpensive IBM-compatible PCs.
Commodore filed for bankruptcy in 1994, after which Escom continued production of the Commodore Amiga 1200 until 1996.
Between 1987 and 1993, Commodore Business Machines produced a line of low-end Commodore PC compatibles, which included the Commodore Colt, PC1, PC10, PC20, PC30, and PC40.
The focus of this category is on the Commodore computer product line. The resources listed here may include informational sites, historical computer sites for any or all of the Commodore line, user and collector groups, and other sites whose chief content is the Commodore computer line.
Recommended Resources
The Amiga was a family of personal computers introduced by Commodore in 1985 and discontinued in 1996. The Amiga used its own proprietary operating system, known as the AmigaOS, and later Amiga Unix, although Linux and NetBSD are available for the classic Amiga platform. Amiga Kit distributes and sells PowerPC-based hardware under the AmigaOne brand, running AmigaOS 4. A support forum, developer page, a wiki section, and an online store are featured.
http://www.amiga.org/
AMIGA Commodore Computer Center
Located in Boise, Idaho, the AMIGA Commodore Computer Center sells Amiga and Commodore C64/128 computers, hardware, software, disk drives, monitors, printers, ribbons, mice, joysticks, cables, hardware covers, blank disks, old books, and magazines. Its catalog of products for Amiga and C64/128 software and hardware, as well as available magazines and other products, may be viewed online or printed catalog is available for purchase. Other online resources are posted.
https://commodorecomputercenter.com/
Bo Zimmerman: Commodore Computer
The site author was introduced to Commodore computers with a Commodore PET-4032 while in the 6th grade, later buying a Commodore 64. A section of his home page devoted to the Commodore includes photos of marketing brochures, information on every piece of Commodore equipment he is familiar with, several photos, FTP files, BBS programs, C64/C128 applications, a Commodore Telnet BBS page, and information on GEOS, a GUI interface for the C64.
http://www.zimmers.net/commie/
The C-64 Portal is a directory and informational base for organizations, events, discussions, and information relating to the Commodore 64 line of computers. Its C64-related news servers cover news about C64 game remakes, related web pages, and PC software, along with C64 retro activities. Commodore hobbyists and collectors are encouraged to contribute information and schedules of events for inclusion. Its rules for submitting news are stated, and a search field is included.
http://www.c64.sk/
Geared toward Commodore 64 nostalgia, the site offers exclusive material about the C64 home computer, including contemporary C64-related events and past developments within the C64 scene, including the game culture based on the Commodore 64. Games and demos are available, along with interviews with some of the people who created games for the C64, as well as those who have participated in the C64 cracking scene, and a gallery of photographs.
http://www.c64.com/
The CCS64 is a Commodore 64 emulator for PCs, and perhaps other platforms in the future, emulating a number of functions of the old C64 system, including the main C64 console, up to four 1541 disk drives, the C2N cassette recorder, and many of the old C64 cartridges, including hardware expansions that were plugged in at the back of the computer. Available for download from the site, easy start-up instructions and documentation are also available, along with other resources.
http://www.ccs64.com/
Hosted by ProBoards, the site is a discussion forum for collectors and aficionados of the C64 computers. Although anyone may read the content of the forum, participation in discussions requires registration and a login. Topics include general discussions, meetings and events, hardware, software, programming, emulators, and BBS, as well as the Commodore SX-64, C64GS, THEC64 and CHEC64 Mini, Commodore PET, 128, VIC-20, 16 and Plus/4, and Amiga.
https://everythingc64.boards.net/
People with an interest in the Commodore 64, SX-64, and Commodore 128 are invited to become members of this organization, which also discusses the Commodore Amiga, VIC-20, Commodore 16, Plus/4, CBM PET, and the C64 Direct-to-TV, and any other topics related to the Commodore. Meeting schedules, a calendar of events, projects, and several Commodore resources covering repairs, documentation, magazines, hardware, software, and other topics are featured.
https://www.commodorecomputerclub.com/
Maintained by the Commodore Computer Club of Vancouver, Washington, the museum is currently only available as a website, although the club is planning on a public location in the future, estimated to be mid-2020. Computers that have been collected for display include the Commodore 64, Executive SX-64, VIC-20, Amiga 1000, 2000, 500, 600, and 1200, CDTV, PET 2001, 4032, and CBM 8032, Commodore 16, and Commodore Plus/4. Monthly meeting schedules are posted.
https://www.commodorecomputermuseum.com/
Available in contemporary HTML, as well as in HTML 1.0 for those who are accessing the site with text-only browsers, the site highlights Commodore products and offers a history of the company and the key people within the company, as well as a gallery of photographs of Commodore advertising, brochures, and promotional items. PDF copies of articles published about Commodore are available, as are manuals, parts lists, emulators, and downloads.
https://www.commodore.ca/
Commodore is a brand that began with the manufacture of typewriters in 1955 and went on to produce computers that played a significant role in the computer revolution, including the Commodore 64, the best-selling single computer in history. Closing in the mid-1990s, this site represents a newly resurrected Commodore, with a mission to prevent the Commodore brand from entering into obscurity, currently offering C64 applications, games, and music, as well as promotional items.
https://commodore-cbm.com/
Commodore Service Manuals & Other Stuff
Maintained by Sami Rautiainen, the site offers the text of the C64 service manual, programmer’s reference guide, and CP/M Cartridge, as well as service manuals for the Commodore Plus/4, 1540/1541, 1571, 1581, 2031, 8050/8250, C2N/1530/1531, and the firmware source code for the 1571. Advertisements, system specifications for the C64DX/C65, Commodore 1084S schematics, the Commodore 128 CP/M Plus source code, and other documents are included.
http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Commodore/
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer that first came on the market in January of 1982, dominating the market for most of the 1980s, and is still in use by several computer hobbyists, with new games still being produced for it. Focused on the Commodore64, the site offers game reviews, a music archive, downloadable C64 applications, an online historical archive, a help section, and an active discussion forum with a wide range of C64 topics. Registration is required for participation.
https://www.lemon64.com/
Powered by phpBB forum software, Melon64 is largely focused on the Commodore 64 line of computers. While anyone may read the forum discussions, participation requires registration and a login. Topics include general chit chat, emulation, hardware, a help section, software, 8-bit machines, and 16-bit machines, BASIC, assembly, and other programming languages used with the C64, and a buy, sell, and trade area where members can post items wanted or for sale.
http://www.melon64.com/
Retro Computer Scene by CBM8bit
Focused on Commodore computers, and particularly the C64, the site includes its Web-Drive section, where retro computer files may be uploaded and shared by those who register an account on the site. Viewers may also submit articles, FAQs, or photos for consideration of inclusion on the site, and another section highlights screenshots of retro computer and console game scores, sorted alphabetically, as well as articles written by Ray Carlsen, and a discussion forum.
https://cbm8bit.com/
Seattle Commodore Computer Club
Dedicated to computers from the 1980s and 1990s, the club is designed for those who still enjoy using their Commodore 64, VIC-20, Amiga 500, or other computers made by Commodore International or Commodore Business Machines, although members with other vintage computers, such as the Apple II and TRS-80, are welcome also. Membership information, meeting schedules, an informational blog, a request for donations, and an online store are featured.
http://www.sea-ccc.org/
The Commodore 64 Scene Database is designed to gather information about the C64 hobby and collector scene, where it can be stored, cross-referenced, and made available to other fans of the C64 computer. The database includes information about the C64 scene, groups, releases, and events related to the C64. Forums are available for CSDb entries, discussions, coding, requests, pixeling, questions, feedback, composing, productions, bug reports and information.
https://csdb.dk/
