Commodore USA announced on Wednesday that it will be launching an all-in-one keyboard computer, branded as the PC64, that should be on sale before Christmas.
The device will feature an exact replica of the original beige Commodore C64 chassis, but under the bonnet it will house more modern specifications that include a dual-core Intel Atom 525 CPU with Nvidia Ion2 graphics, 4GB DDR3 memory, 1TB hard drive and a CD/DVD drive. A Blu-ray drive is available as an optional extra.
On the connectivity front, the PC64 offers HDMI-out, dual-link DVI, six USB ports, integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 6-in-1 media card reader. Pricing has not yet been disclosed.
Commodore USA announced in March that it was reviving the much-loved Commodore brand, but ran into problems when it transpired that company chief executive Barry Altman had negotiated a licensing agreement with a company — Commodore Gaming — that was itself a licensee of the brand. The actual holder of the rights to the brand was Commodore Licensing BV, itself a subsidiary of Asiarim Corp.
"We are ecstatic to be partnering with Commodore Licensing BV in this new, exciting product launch," Altman said in a statement on Wednesday. "The legacy of the Commodore C64, which sold over 30 million units, making it the best-selling computer of all time, and our reintroduction of this legendary form factor, combined with the world's most recognisable consumer electronics brand, is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Commodore Licensing BV was formed from Commodore International, but not from the original company that declared itself bankrupt in 1994. Since that point, the Commodore brand has passed through a number of companies' hands, including Escom and Tulip Computers, before being picked up by Yeahronimo Media Ventures — which subsequently changed its name to Commodore International Corporation.
Talkback
Way to go Barry! I'll be happy to Beta test the first shipment. Pete
Sounds great! I'm a fan already.
But will it run all the old software that I have boxed in my closet?
No way will it run the old C64 software, but then why would anyone want it to? I still have a VIC20, from 1981, and a C 128D from 1987. The 128 still runs like new. Would like to know the cost first. From the specs it looks like it could be an expensive adventure.
Of course it can run the old C64 software via one of the available emulators. To me, this would be a sweet offering if the price of the machine included licenses to some of the old games, and if the games and emulator were preinstalled on the machine. Just press Run/Stop-Restore to start the emulator... That would be great.
Welll.. with VICE you will be able to run C64 software?
http://www.viceteam.org/ works perfect
Yes there are quite a few 64/128 and even Amiga emulators out there. And all kinds of sources for software. Vice is a good one. There are ways to connect 1541 drives...1581 drives, at least there were, for not too much, if your PC has a serial port. I haven't looked lately but maybe even mods for The old 64 serial to USB, not sure. There is quite a fanbase out there. Commodore programs were very elegant, do a lot with not much. Not like the bloatware of today...
Can a neo-Amiga be far behind?
(srsly, Amiga is still one of the most innovative personal computers out there, ahead of its time - almost every programmer I knew bought one when they came out - a 68000 with a flat 16Mb address space when the IBM/Microsoft PC was struggling with 640Kb limits and weird address constraints - and the Amiga chipset configuration favoring separation of media functions presaged the configurations of current personal computing devices, including all mobile devices, and this at a time when the Mac was seriously brain-challenged)
and some of the most fun software I ever encountered ran on the Amiga - some of it more addictive than a modern Wii
just sayin'
(oh yeah, did I mention the multi-tasking OS on the Amiga that even today makes Microsoft Windows look fairly brain-dead?)
Check out the top of the line:
http://www.commodoreusa.net/catalog/item/7429988/7831361.htm
Commodore (and Amiga and Atari) are only brands familiar to people who grew up in the 80's - one generation ago. Their kids probably never heard of these brands and so could care less. As an 80's guy, I would not buy it and nostalgia aside, I predict this product is going to be a flop. Anthony Maw, Vancouver, Canada
I look forward to the PCVIC20, PCPLUS4
DONT DO tHE PC16
The above specs are impressive like apart form the 1tb drive that's a bit ott 500gb would have sufficed, but the price would have to be right and for the above specs that would be in order of around £350 mark, baring in mind you can put together a top of the range asus socket 1156 mainboard along with an i7 cpu and 4gb ddr3 2133 Mhz ram for £500.
The website link ator posted has some misleading information caused by outdated spec posting's like, it also showcases other models which I think clouds the overall perspective of what they are trying to achieve here, maybe they should just focus on the above model first and then offer an updated 1156 socket i model's later on.
Infact sticking an 1156 socket in there from the onset would have being a far better idea because that would then have allowed them to furfill the three main area's i3, i5, i7, and make them very competitive.
Either way it's nice to see some one trying to revitalise the budget end of the home market as for the above comments talking about running old c64 software's, as already mentioned emulator's but here's a better idea learn to program your own again.