The return of the Commodore 64 home computer has become known thanks to the announcement of a new model. The Commodore 64 Ultimate is currently available for pre-order.
The original Commodore 64 was released in August 1982. It could be connected directly to a TV and allowed users to play games, work with documents, and perform many other tasks. Approximately 10,000 software applications were developed for the computer, including development tools, office applications, music editors, and workstation prototypes.
The Commodore 64, priced at $595, laid the foundation for what home personal computers could do, shaping many application scenarios that are now taken for granted. This included working with music — several sheet music editors and proto-digital audio workstations (DAWs) were available for the C64, allowing you to create projects with multiple tracks and instruments.
The model was produced until 1984, and musicians continued to use it long after sales ended. Its popularity stemmed from the SID chip, which offered three eight-octave voices, filters, and envelope control, as well as an additional fourth voice via program changes. The system was organized in such a way that the Commodore 64 could be considered a complete synthesizer.
New Commodore management, represented by engineer Christian Simpson, is bringing the computer back to the market 30 years after production ended. The Commodore 64 Ultimate model is a fully hardware-based realization of the device; the computer does not use software emulators and is built on an AMD Artix 7 FPGA chip. According to Simpson, the processor accurately reproduces the original computer's hardware configuration.
The developers claim that the computer is fully compatible with all programs released for the Commodore 64. This applies to office and music applications as well as video games, drivers, and libraries. Therefore, users will be able to use any C64 peripherals, disk drives, or cartridges released between 1980 and the 1990s. Additionally, the computer can be connected to a CRT TV for a more authentic user experience.
The company claims that compatibility with the original software library will provide customers with an authentic computer experience. Users will be able to create music with the same methods used 40 years ago: typing commands on the keyboard and programming parts.
According to Tom's Hardware, the Commodore 64 Ultimate comes with a power supply, an HDMI cable, a user manual, and a cassette drive with a USB interface. The latter contains a library of games, programs, music, and documents. The computer is equipped with a Wi-Fi module for downloading user data.
The Commodore 64 Ultimate will be available in three versions:
The computer is sold through the company's website, where a crowdfunding campaign has been organized to raise funds. This way, the manufacturer minimizes the risk of market disinterest because the computer is made to order once the specified amount has been paid. Buyers are promised a full refund if they cancel their order before it ships from the warehouse, as well as a one-year warranty.
Despite the fundraising, the computers are scheduled to be delivered to customers in October–November 2025. That's when Commodore plans to increase production and sell more units. Note that the cost of the device will increase by the end of the year — all three editions will be sold at a higher price, though the exact price increase is not specified.
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