Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12997245 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12997245)
QuoteFans 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.
Would bring more authenticity to emulation, but I dunno if I could use a C64 keyboard. Its just a gimmick really, nice idea though.
I would be interested in seeing the inputs and output options to tv's and monitors.
I know that they're appealing mainly to the US demographic that grew up with C64s ... but WHY did they choose a computer that was uglier than an Apple III cross-bred with Anne Widdecombe and ... something very dirty beige?
Also, it's Atom based, and I know that's because of the design time, etc, but these days you'd want a nice little AMD Fusion board.
But the keyboard should be good to use - cherry switches etc. Tiny return key though - CPC got that right.
It's been briefly discussed before. I would be tempted, for sure, but NOT for an Atom platform. WTF? I would think they would be able to fit a nice micro-factor normal PC in there... also the mem and HDD space are underwhelming at those prices...
I'm wrong for sure, this is only a "IMHO" post:
But that poorly designed web page, the fact that all images are actually renders, not real pictures of the machine, emulator's captions...
It seems very scamming to me.
Could we expect some degree of support for those machines?
Anyone knows something about that "Commodore USA"? They're not the ones who frighted to keep Amiga alive, sorry, something is "smelly".
I agree; when I first saw the site opening up I thought "cute!". But then it just stayed cute and silly, not a professional job.
Also, no, that's not the Commodore you know, Commodore has been dead for many, many years. They just drag the corpse -erm, brand name around, buying and selling it. I have lost count of how many companies have actually owned the name.
I wouldn't choose it, because it's a pc in a box!
Now, if we had a portable cpc which emulated the real hardware, or a cpc in a joystick I would be interested.
(Like c64dtv ;) but cpc of course)
Yes, but for someone like me, who is looking for a small-footprint solution and has a thing for retro goodness, it'd be ideal...
That said, the ergonomics are probably way too bad for today's world. Raised keyboard, raised keys... I can't see anyone typing for long!
Or maybe they're going for the full retro solution and that's why the HDD is small - you have to retype your programs every time you turn it on.
Quote from: Gryzor on 10:14, 08 April 11
Or maybe they're going for the full retro solution and that's why the HDD is small - you have to retype your programs every time you turn it on.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
That is the point! 80's at its best!
Not joking, my private WIP .CDT is build at speed write 0! 299 laps from Devil's TapeDesk counter!
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I would have pay for a brand new REAL C64!not for an Atom...
I think lots of us would pay for a new retro machine. Well, probably not gonna happen. Even if electronics have come down in costs (though some would have to be replaced with newer components), building the case is a very expensive exercise...
The "C64 in a joystick" was actually a better and clever offer...
Just too bad we can't find them anymore... :-\
THIS... is what I would call some backside-screwery...
Quote from: Gryzor on 16:49, 08 April 11
I think lots of us would pay for a new retro machine. Well, probably not gonna happen. Even if electronics have come down in costs (though some would have to be replaced with newer components), building the case is a very expensive exercise...
You're right, build a NEW case is too much expensive.
But electronic components, are "alive beings", and die (doped silicon always degenerate, only matter of how many years are needed to break transistors)
So, a nice FPGA to replace the entire internal of our computers could be nice (you can still keep old circuitry in a box, R.I.P.)... yes, I know, there're still problems with another parts degeneration, mainly keyboards, but they are (or could be) "easily" fixable.
Only thinking about how many of my computers will boot in 20-30 years...sip!
Quote from: MacDeath on 09:15, 10 April 11
The "C64 in a joystick" was actually a better and clever offer...
Just too bad we can't find them anymore... :-\
I gaze across to the other-side of my "retro room" and I see on a shelf two C64's, one in the original box. I then look to the shelf below and see one that I 'hacked apart' to fit into a 1940s valve radio casing, along with a 3" screen - it's not finished yet, but does work.
Now, if Only I could do something similar with a CPC.....
I *need* a robot arm.
Can't think why.
to serve you fresh beers ? ::)
Quote from: redbox on 15:47, 11 April 11
I *need* a robot arm.
Can't think why.
to control the joystick of course - so you can play the C64 remotely whilst working 4000 miles away from home!
Why? 'cos some idiot decided to place the C64 into a massively huge case, rendering it not an option to take through airport security ???
u can never have enough retro robot arms. one day I'll make 'Huey' and 'Dewey'....so they can prune the garden whilst I'm not there 8)
EDIT: http://www.tnhsmith.net/Other/Orbduino/index.htm (http://www.tnhsmith.net/Other/Orbduino/index.htm) - robot arms are cool :P
Quote from: ynot.zer0 on 18:31, 11 April 11
Why? 'cos some idiot decided to place the C64 into a massively huge case, rendering it not an option to take through airport security ???
Not quite - I got one from Amsterdam (complete with brick PSU) and I got through secutiry just fine :)
Quote from: ynot.zer0 on 18:31, 11 April 11u can never have enough retro robot arms. one day I'll make 'Huey' and 'Dewey'....so they can prune the garden whilst I'm not there 8)
Oh wow, passing reference to a (sad) true classic: Silent Running http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067756/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067756/) with soundtrack "Rejoice in the sun" by Joan Baez.
BTW, someone built a projector into Yet Another Familiar Droid: http://diy-community.de/showthread.php?22240-R2D2-Beamer-DIY (http://diy-community.de/showthread.php?22240-R2D2-Beamer-DIY)
I personally never really like the old C64 keyboard, it looked much better in a Slimline case like it's C128 Cousin!
The best looking 8-bit computer was, and is, the CPC 464, some people don't like the coloured keys, but I do.
Runner-up is probably the enterprise/elan/einstein or whatever they decided to call it.
The classiest computer was the MTX 512 with its sleek black metal cases (including the expansion box).
Quote from: steve on 13:39, 03 July 11
The best looking 8-bit computer was, and is, the CPC 464, some people don't like the coloured keys, but I do.
Runner-up is probably the enterprise/elan/einstein or whatever they decided to call it.
The classiest computer was the MTX 512 with its sleek black metal cases (including the expansion box).
Wha, not a CompuColor 1? Perhaps it's the cutest looking 8-bit going around! :D Not bad for a machine which is 36 years old! ;)
(http://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Compucolor_1_System_1.jpg)
(http://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/intecolor_compucolor2_1.jpg)
Seems to have more colours on keyboard than on screen, lol...
My cousin had an Enterprise 64. It was like a mixture of a CPC464 (keyboard colours) and a Spectrum+ (key shape). I remember being very jealous of the built in joystick, but I can't think why, it was crap.
Bryce.
Yeah, Enterprise64/128...
The computer Amstrad is supposed to have copied but rushed to the release before and won.
Enterprise is quite good computer, a sweet cross between Speccy and CPC in an even better way.
the Joystick on keyboard is more to be treated as a pointing device than a game device... but a trackball instead would have been really precursor and wiser/clever choice... actually...
It is fun that the enterprise was one of those rare computer with a lot of artisanal Amstrad Ports...
Anyway I always find the CPC664 cuter than the 464 or 6128.
Bigger too than 6128... as the 664 was really the Disk version of the 464.
While the PLUS / CPC6128 compact keyboard is clearly better, the blue keys on 664 are damn good looking.
I wish the PLUS had those blue keys...
@cp/m user, I did not recognise the compucolor in your photograph (you can tell it is 36 yrs old by the 8-track cartridge player used for loading software) :laugh: , MacDeath's was more like the machine I remembered, but I have to say they really did put too many colours on the keyboard.
Quote from: steve on 10:10, 04 July 11
@cp/m user, I did not recognise the compucolor in your photograph (you can tell it is 36 yrs old by the 8-track cartridge player used for loading software) :laugh: , MacDeath's was more like the machine I remembered, but I have to say they really did put too many colours on the keyboard.
Apparantely 8-track cartridge players did exist in 1975 according to these guys (http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=565) and if you wanted a Compucolor in 1977 they were like $2750 - and I'm guessing that was for a 8001 model, the 8051 was the same only with a larger 19 inch monitor, the one pictured in MacDeath's post is its successor the Compucolor II (http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=560) which came out in 1977, which I think looks horrid compared to the colour scheme on the original machines!
The Enterprise 64 (got one! got one!) is and looks fantastic. And I also happen to like the joystick - for someone like me, who preferred keys over joysticks, it would have been a decent replacement for the times one was required.
Also the SAM Coupe' is real cute (got one, love it to bits)...
Jealous :'(
Bryce.
Pretty darn expensive, both of them... don't know what I was thinking.