Commodore 64

Commodore 64
TypeHome computer
Release dateAugust 1982 (1982-08)
Introductory priceUS$ 595 (1982)
DiscontinuedApril 1994
Units sold12.5 – 17 million
MediaROM cartridge
5¼-inch floppy disk
Compact Cassette
Operating systemCommodore KERNAL/
Commodore BASIC 2.0
GEOS (optionally)
CPUMOS Technology 6510
@ 1.023 MHz (NTSC version)
@ 0.985 MHz (PAL version)
Memory64 kB RAM
20 kB ROM
GraphicsVIC-II (320 × 200, 16 colors, sprites, raster interrupt)
SoundSID 6581 (3× Osc, 4× wave, filter, ADSR, ring)
Connectivity2× CIA 6526 joystick, Power, ROM cartridge, RF, A/V, IEEE-488 floppy-printer, digital tape, GPIO/RS-232
PredecessorCommodore VIC-20
SuccessorCommodore 128

The Commodore 64 was a bestselling, 8-bit home computer from the 1980s. It was created by Commodore International, and it entered the market in 1982. Around 17 million units are believed to have been sold. The Commodore 64 is often credited with making personal computers popular amongst the masses. This quality sparked comparisons with the Ford Model T. The Commodore 64 was offered at relatively low prices, and was available in malls, department stores, and toy stores instead of solely in the shops of authorized dealers.

Hardware

Startscreen of C64 BASIC V2.0

The Commodore 64 used a MOS Technology 6510 processor and had 64 kB of RAM.

It could display up to 16 colors and supported hardware sprites through the VIC-II graphics chip. Sound was produced by the SID chip, which provided three sound channels and became famous for its music and sound effects.

Legacy

The Commodore 64 is listed by Guinness World Records as the best-selling single desktop computer model of all time.

Around 17 million units are believed to have been sold worldwide.

The computer remains popular with collectors and retro-computing enthusiasts, and new software is still being developed for it.

References

  1. ↑ "World of Commodore Brochure (1983)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-03-14. Retrieved 2013-04-06.
  2. ↑ July 1982 Commodore brochure
  3. ↑ "How many Commodore 64 computers were sold?". Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  4. ↑ Reimer, Jeremy. "Personal Computer Market Share: 1975–2004". Retrieved 2009-07-17.
  5. 1 2 3 Mihelich, Peggy (2007-12-07). "Commodore 64 still loved after all these years". CNN. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  6. ↑ Kahney, Leander (2003-09-09). "Grandiose Price for a Modest PC". Wired. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  7. ↑ Martin, Douglas (2012-04-10). "Jack Tramiel, a Pioneer in Computers, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  8. ↑ Reimer, Jeremy (2007-10-22). "A history of the Amiga, part 4: Enter Commodore". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  9. ↑ McLean, Prince (2009-09-06). "Apple approves Commodore 64 emulator for iPhone". Apple Insider. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2013-01-22.
  10. 1 2 Perry, Tekla S.; Wallich, Paul (1985). "Design case history: the Commodore 64". IEEE Spectrum. 22 (3): 48–58. doi:10.1109/MSPEC.1985.6370590.
  11. ↑ "Best-selling desktop computer". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  12. ↑ Swenson, Reid C. (2007). "What is a Commodore Computer? A Look at the Incredible History and Legacy of the Commodore Home Computers". OldSoftware.com. Retrieved 19 November 2007.

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