SBC 6502
6502
6809
Z80
Other
In the spirit of my collection only the 8-bit
Commodore computers are of interest to me. So I do not work with
the amazing Amiga's!
My Commodore collection timeline starts with the very first 6502
single board and ends with the dual-cpu C128 series.
MOS KIM-1Mos Technology, the original developers of the 6502 CPU range, have made an evaluation single board computer with the name KIM-1. After MOS had become part of Commodore the brand on the KIM-1 board changed to Commodore MOS KIM-1, see here. This is one of the KIM-1s in my collection, see also this page. Chuck Peddle played an important role in Mos Technology and continuated to do so at Commodore the frist years. |
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PET/CBMThe first computer made by Commodore after the MOS
take over was the PET, later called CBM series. Also
Chuck Peddle was responsible for this fine machine for
these days. Together with the Apple II and the TRS-80
this started the massproduction of ready-to-run computers
for the home and small office. |
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VIC20The first entry into the hobbycomputer world is the V(I)C20 machine. This machine had all the components of the later C64 such as the VIC videochip and serial IEC bus for periperals but with less capacity: low screen resolution, 4K RAM and very simple sound. It is therefore a mediocre machine with historical value. See here for a still operational VIC20 with 3K and 8K RAM expansion and the first single IEC drive, the VC1540. |
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C64The first C64 looks like the VIC20 on the outside, with the convenient keyboard and small desktop required. Inside the improved VIC video chip, the 64K memory and the SID soundchip made it the most popular hobbycomputer in the eighties. My C64 collection ranges from a very early model (serial 00088) to the latest C64-II. A special one has Speeddos builtin. |
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C128Dual cpu machines are always something special. The C128 combines the 6502 (at max 2 MHz) with a Z80 at 2 MHz. Also special and a bit annoying are the video outputs: the C64 compatible VIC mode and a 6545 cahracter oriented 80 column mode.The C128 can perform as a C64 clone, the C128 Basic V7 mode in 40 and 80 colums screen and as a CP/M 3.0 machine in 40 or 80 columns. Two models of the C128 are in the collection: the C128 and the C128D. The C128D is special because it has a separate keyboard and the 1571 diskdrive buildin. |
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DiskdrivesCommodore started to make floppy drives via the IEEE-488 connection. This means the drives had to be quite intelligent and in fact were complete computers (650x cpu based) with their own Disk Operating System. The faster parallel IEEE-488 bus was replaced in the consumer line with a equivalent serial bus called IEC, the result was a compact cable connection and a low transferspeed. See here for the VC1540, 1541, 1541-II, 1571, 1581, a 1541 clone, CBM2040 and CBM3040 |
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Tape drivesWe all hated the problems and slowness of cassettes,
but at a time when diskdrives were several time the price
of the computer itself it was the only way to load and
store programs and data. Commodore was no different and
made several types of (non-standard) tape drives. |
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Mouses and joysticksMouse type 1351 and 1352. |
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PrintersPrinters were made with the same and consistent design
as the diskdrives: IEEE-488 and the IEC bus. |
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MonitorsCommodore made many monitors and many variants with the same type number In the collection are two types: the CM1084 and the CM1901. |
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Commodore PCI got this Intel 286 cpu based PC10-II as part of a large Commodore lot bought for the VIC20 and monitors included. I keep it because it is not worth much and in itself a nice example of the early PC era. It reminds me of the IBM PC AT I once worked with. PC's made Commodore loose enormous amounts of money, combined with inadequate management and let it disappear. Hard to believe after selling so many hobbycomputers and the technical so advanced Amiga. |
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Music instrumentsThe SID soundchip is used to
produce sound and music. |
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Books and magazinesMany manuals, books and magazines (disk and cassette based)! |
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Publications written by me for the dutch electronics magazine about Commodore products and projects (in dutch!)
1979 |
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November |
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1981 |
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November |
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1982 |
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1983 |
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1985 |
Februari |
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