commodore 64 Archives

Commodore 64 vs Amiga

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing March 3, 2017September 6, 20181980s, 1990s, 6502, amiga, amiga os, atari, atari st, commodore, commodore 64, compaq, hp, intel, kmart, motorola, Packard Bell, Personal Computer, unix, XT

Looking at the Commodore 64 vs Amiga seems a little odd, at least to me. After all, the machines were never intended to be rivals. The Amiga was supposed to succeed the 64. Commodore bought Amiga because they couldn’t make a 64 successor on their own, so they intended for the Amiga to replace it. It didn’t fully succeed, and maybe that’s why the comparison is still interesting.

Looking back, the machines may seem similar today. But in 1985 they sure didn’t.

Dave Farquhar

David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He has written professionally about computers since 1991, so he was writing about retro computers when they were still new. He has been working in IT professionally since 1994 and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He holds Security+ and CISSP certifications. Today he blogs five times a week, mostly about retro computers and retro gaming covering the time period from 1975 to 2000.

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An LCD monitor for retro computing

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 19, 2016July 27, 2022amiga, commodore, commodore 64, dell, RCA, VGA, video connector

Purists prefer CRT monitors for a more authentic experience, but if you don’t mind an LCD, here’s a good LCD monitor for retro computing. Look for a Dell 2001fp manufactured in June 2005 or before. For bonus points, try to find one with a soundbar.

Dave Farquhar

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Commodore 64 commands

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 4, 2016July 11, 2018cmd, commodore, commodore 64, unix

People frequently ask me for a list of common or useful Commodore 64 commands, including disk drive commands. Since the C-64’s built in operating system is more of a combination command line/Basic interpreter, it takes some getting used to if you didn’t grow up with it.

These commands assume a stock, unmodified C-64, freshly powered on. Many fast-load cartridges, ROM replacements, or so-called DOS wedge programs include shortcuts for these commands. But these commands work on any C-64 with a disk drive, modified or stock.

Dave Farquhar

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How to load Commodore 64 games

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing July 22, 2016April 16, 2024commodore, commodore 64

You had to know a command to load Commodore 64 games, because, unlike many other computers of its day, it didn’t automatically boot game disks when you turned it on.

Things worked best if you followed a process.

Dave Farquhar

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Commodore 64 vs 128

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing May 19, 2016October 26, 20221541, 1571, 1980s, 6502, amiga, apple, apple ii, c64, commodore, commodore 128, commodore 64, tape drive

Commodore introduced the Commodore 128 in 1985 as an upgrade path from the Commodore 64, the most popular model of computer of all time. The 128 addressed the 64’s biggest shortcomings while remaining mostly compatible with its hardware and software. That makes the Commodore 64 vs 128 a natural comparison, even more natural than comparing the 64 with the VIC-20.

The Commodore 128 was an extension of the Commodore 64, with more memory, a faster disk drive, a faster CPU, and 80-column video. It also featured a very high degree of compatibility, which helped both machines sell better.

Dave Farquhar

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Commodore 64 vs 64c

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing May 9, 2016June 2, 20241541, 1980s, 1990s, Bil Herd, c64, commodore, commodore 64, IBM, Personal Computer, Tandy, tandy 1000

The Commodore 64 went through a number of revisions throughout its long life. The most outwardly visible of those revisions was the transition from the tan, boxy C-64 to the thinner, lighter-colored 64c. If you’e wondering about the Commodore 64 vs 64c, here’s what you need to know.

Dave Farquhar

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C64 vs Apple II

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing May 5, 2016September 15, 20251980s, 1990s, 6502, apple ii, commodore 64

The C64 vs Apple II was perhaps the most epic battle of the 8-bit era. Both companies sold millions of machines, yet both nearly went out of business in the process.

Comparing the two machines with the largest software libraries of the 8-bit era is a bit difficult, but that’s what makes it fun. The two machines are similar enough that some people ask if the Commodore 64 was an Apple product. The answer is no.

As a weird aside, it was possible, with a Mimic Systems Spartan, to turn a C-64 into an Apple II. Not many did, but the reason why is another story.

Dave Farquhar

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Commodore 64 vs VIC-20

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing December 7, 2015October 26, 20221541, 1980s, 6502, amiga, atari, atari st, commodore, commodore 64, jack tramiel, Microsoft Basic, MOS, power brick, public domain

How do you compare the Commodore 64 vs VIC-20?

The Commodore 64 and its predecessor, the VIC-20, look a lot alike, and the VIC-20’s design certainly influenced the 64. The 64 is the best selling computer model of all time, and I argue the VIC-20 was the first really successful home computer. The success of the two machines allowed Commodore to surpass Radio Shack as the sales leader in the computer industry. Yes, both Commodore and Radio Shack outsold Apple.

But even though the two machines are closely related, there are significant differences between them. It’s important to remember that in the 1980s, two years was a comparatively long time because the market was moving so fast. Plus, the VIC-20 was always supposed to be an entry-level machine. In 1982, the 64 was supposed to be fairly high-end. Let’s compare and contrast the two venerable machines.

Dave Farquhar

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Why were early computers beige?

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing November 12, 2015September 5, 20191980s, 1990s, apple, apple ii, atari, atari st, Benjamin Moore, Bennington Gray, commodore, commodore 64, IBM

It’s a common question: Why were early computers beige? In some ways it seems a curious color choice today.

Dave Farquhar

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Need a Commodore motherboard? Believe it or not you’re in luck

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 23, 2015October 20, 2015amiga, amiga os, commodore, commodore 64

Individual Computers is working on, of all things, a replacement Amiga motherboard that will fit in an Amiga 500 or Amiga 1200 case.

The board will use the AGA chipset that the Amiga 1200 used, but the board will be built using a modern process, modern materials, and as many other modern components as possible.

Dave Farquhar

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