Commodore PET

Commodore PET
ManufacturerCommodore International
TypePersonal computer
Release dateJanuary 1977 (1977-01)
Introductory priceUS$ 795 (1977)
Discontinued1982
Units soldAbout 219,000
MediaCompact Cassette
5¼-inch floppy disk
8-inch floppy disk
Operating systemCommodore BASIC V1.0 – V4.0
CPUMOS Technology 6502 @ 1 MHz
Memory4–96 kB RAM
Display40×25 or 80×25 text
GraphicsMonochrome PETSCII graphics
SoundNone or beeper
SuccessorCommodore CBM-II

Commodore PET was a set of personal computers made by Commodore International. The first model was released in 1977. The name PET stood for Personal Electronic Transactor.

The PET was one of the first personal computers sold fully assembled and ready to use. It combined a keyboard, a monochrome monitor, a MOS Technology 6502 processor, and Commodore BASIC in a single case.

The first model, the PET 2001, included either 4 kB or 8 kB of RAM and a built-in cassette recorder for storing programs and data. Later models offered more memory, larger screens, and improved keyboards.

History

Startscreen of PET 2001 BASIC V1.0 with Easter egg

The PET was one of the three computers later called the "1977 Trinity", together with the Apple II and the TRS-80.

The series was discontinued in 1982.

References

  1. 1 2 Tomczyk, Tom (1984). Home Computer Wars: An Insider's Account of Commodore and Jack Tramiel. Compute! Publications. p. 12.
  2. ↑ "Commodore PET 2001 computer". Oldcomputers.net. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 Matthews, Ian (22 February 2003). "The Amazing Commodore PET". Commodore.ca. Archived from the original on 23 January 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2006.
  4. ↑ Reimer, Jeremy. "Total Share: Personal Computer Market Share 1975–2010". Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Most Important Companies". Byte. September 1995. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008.

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