"Commodore 8-bit Computers - C64 the Cash Cow"
Founded by Jack Tramiel, in 1958, Commodore International was an American computer manufacturer. They released a wide variety of 8/16/32-bit computers, including the Amiga series of computers. Their most successful model was the C64 which sold more than 14 million units between 1982 and 1994.
COMMODORE 64 AT A GLANCE
- Based on MOS CPUs
- The C64 features 16 colors, 8 hardware sprites (24×21 pixels), and smooth screen scrolling
- The sound chip is the impressive SID chip by MOS with 3 channels, 8 octaves, and 4 waveforms per audio channel (triangle, sawtooth, variable pulse, noise)
- The SID chip is included in the models C64, C128, CBM-II, and MAX
Colors & Graphic Modes
C64 Graphics & Video Modes
- 320x200 pixels with 16 colors (HiRes mode)
- 320x200 pixels with 4 colors, by allowing mixing colors (MCI Mode)
- There are 5 additional video modes
- Hardware sprites & hardware scrolling
Commodore 128
- Up to 640×200 with 16 RGB colors
- Hardware sprites & hardware scrolling
Commodore 16 & Plus4
- The Commodore 16 & Plus4 models offer a considerably better color palette containing 121 composite video colors
- Hardware sprites & hardware scrolling
Sound Capabilities
Commodore 64/128 includes the fantastic 6581 SID sound chip from MOS:
- 3 channels (mono), ADSR-controllable
- 8 octaves and 4 waveforms per audio channel (triangle, sawtooth, variable pulse, noise)
- 3 ring modulators
- Multi-mode filter
- The creator of the SID chip, Bob Yannes, was also involved in the creation of the Ensoniq 5503 Chip (DOC) included in the Apple IIGS
Commodore Sales Figures
These are some basic sales figures regarding the 8-bit Commodore computers.
Table: Commodore International 8-bit computers
■ Commodore 64/128
Binaryvalue.com 2022 (c) -Sources: c64-wiki.com, studiostyle.sk, c128.com, wikipedia.com
