Flashermac Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 Fans of retro computing will soon be able to buy a modern PC clad in a classic case. Commodore is making a Windows PC that fits inside a boxy beige shell that looks exactly like its original C64. The 8-bit machine was released in 1982, had 64 kilobytes of memory and became one of the best-selling computers ever. Commodore's updated version will run Windows 7 but also has an emulator capable of playing games written for its ancestor. Commodore has started taking orders for the C64x, priced at $595 (£364), and said the machines would ship between May and June. It is expected to appear in shops later in the year. The machine's internal hardware will be based around a dual-core Intel Atom D525, a chip typically found in notebook computers. Its 1.8Ghz chip is far faster than the 8-bit 1MHz MOS 6502 processor used in the 80's original. The C64x will also use an integrated Nvidia graphics chip and buyers have the option of equipping a model with a Bluray DVD player. All the hardware for the machine fits inside the keyboard case. The first models will sport the same taupe colour scheme as the original along with a "clicky" keyboard familiar to anyone who used the older C64 or its predecessor, the Vic 20. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12997245 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radioman Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 But it just wont feel right unless they include the cassette tape interface Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 It used a 6510 CPU. The 6510 predecessor was the 6502. Programming that in Assembly language was in of itself a skill all by itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 What preceded the 6502 was the 1702 eprom. The 1702 was a novel concept in technology. Another promising, earlier CPU was the Z80 which unfortunately disappeared along with the 6500 family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 The Z80 has not disappeared, nor the 6500 family. The 6800 and 8080 family are also still around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 The Z80 has not disappeared, nor the 6500 family. The 6800 and 8080 family are also still around. They are probably used in embedded products. My first computer was a Z80. A friend of mine built his before I built mine. I can't remember his processor, but in order to get it started, he had to flip switches. Mine had an eprom. He had switches an Leds for readouts. I was one of the first to get a keyboard. For a monitor, I converted a 25" TV to be used as a monitor. I had one friend who tied his computer to a teletype. Wished I kept all of that junk - now museum pieces. Back then, everything was assembly language. Today, I don't even think assembly language is taught let alone used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 kb0EdBO_d50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted April 7, 2011 Report Share Posted April 7, 2011 I still have an 8085 SDK (System Development kit). You program it via the hex keypad. Had a Z80 SDK, but sold it several years ago at the flea market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 kb0EdBO_d50 Looks good! My friend's PC was more primitive. It might have been based on an 8080. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 I liked that video. Sad, the kid's today know nothing about machine language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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