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Commodore Announces New Quad-core C64x Extreme

By - Source: Commodore

Haven't you heard that the 80's are back?

Earlier this year, Commodore released a modernized version of its Commodore 64 keyboard PC with Intel's dual-core Atom 525 CPU, Nvidia Ion 2 graphics, 2GB of DDR3 memory (expandable to 4 GB), an optical drive, and more. This week, the company revealed that it is now shipping production orders for the new Commodore 64 Extreme model, otherwise known as the C64x-EX.

The C64x-EX is perfect for Commodore fans that love the iconic Commodore design but want the extra oomph that the Atom-based model doesn't provide. Packing a 2nd generation Sandy Bridge 2.2Ghz 64-bit Intel core i7 (Quad Core/Eight Threads CPU [i7-2720QM]), the C64x-EX boasts a 2TB HDD, 8GB of RAM, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, 5 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 e-SATA port, SPDIF, HDMI, DVI and VGA display connections, a slot loaded R/W DVD drive, built in Ethernet and Wireless N Wi-Fi. As far as OS is concerned, the C64x-EXTREME comes with Linux Mint 11 and will dual boot with the "retro inspired" Commodore OS Vision when released.

Priced at $1499, this puppy isn't cheap, but you can't really put a price on nostalgia, can you? It's guaranteed to ship by Dec 15th if ordered before the 25th of this month, but Commodore says it has some recently produced C64x-EX units in stock that are guaranteed to ship within one business day.


There are 54 Comments. B
Top Comments
  • 24
    brothermist , November 7, 2011 3:12 AM
    cool as oldschool hell... but $1500
    pass
  • 10
    southernshark , November 7, 2011 3:50 AM
    tuch92Well, it has Linux on it.. so unless you dual boot or run through WINE, no. On a related note, It makes me happy to see it's shipping with Linux



    Linux is dead. We know it because some idiot who writes a blog told us so, and Tom's reposted it so that we could all know about it.
Other Comments
  • 24
    brothermist , November 7, 2011 3:12 AM
    cool as oldschool hell... but $1500
    pass
  • 7
    brothermist , November 7, 2011 3:13 AM
    oh, and the optical drive should be in a 1541 case.
  • 7
    clonazepam , November 7, 2011 3:14 AM
    some good photos at http://hothardware.com/News/Commodore-USA-Puts-C64x-Extreme-On-Sale/
  • -1
    JOSHSKORN , November 7, 2011 3:28 AM
    clonazepamsome good photos at http://hothardware.com/News/Commod [...] e-On-Sale/

    Nice share.

    I guess I'll have to say it...don't want to but really, I'm curious. CAN it run Crysis? I don't see a dedicated video card. Actually it's not Crysis I care about, it's the newer games...like BF3, MW3, Black Ops. I saw a guy play CoD4 online with an integrated graphics card from a laptop, it was a little choppy...not for me.
  • -2
    dogman_1234 , November 7, 2011 3:28 AM
    Win!
  • 8
    tuch92 , November 7, 2011 3:40 AM
    JOSHSKORNNice share.I guess I'll have to say it...don't want to but really, I'm curious. CAN it run Crysis? I don't see a dedicated video card. Actually it's not Crysis I care about, it's the newer games...like BF3, MW3, Black Ops. I saw a guy play CoD4 online with an integrated graphics card from a laptop, it was a little choppy...not for me.


    Well, it has Linux on it.. so unless you dual boot or run through WINE, no.

    On a related note, It makes me happy to see it's shipping with Linux:) 
  • 10
    southernshark , November 7, 2011 3:50 AM
    tuch92Well, it has Linux on it.. so unless you dual boot or run through WINE, no. On a related note, It makes me happy to see it's shipping with Linux



    Linux is dead. We know it because some idiot who writes a blog told us so, and Tom's reposted it so that we could all know about it.
  • -2
    jiyung , November 7, 2011 4:53 AM
    Trying to compete with Alienware and the Razer Blade??
    Hahaha
  • 0
    clonazepam , November 7, 2011 4:58 AM
    Just need to find a really ancient crt monitor, hopefully without any cigarette stains, and you're good to go...
  • 0
    runswindows95 , November 7, 2011 4:59 AM
    Personally, I like the concept of it. It's a truly portable workstation you can take anywhere as long as you have a screen waiting for you.
  • 1
    anonymous@guest , November 7, 2011 5:31 AM
    Old news, TH.
  • 9
    NuclearShadow , November 7, 2011 5:42 AM
    But can it play Uridium? (Thumbs up if you remember that game)

    I realize it is likely due to the size limit but the lack of a dedicated GPU makes it simply undesirable for that price nostalgia or not.
  • 0
    clonazepam , November 7, 2011 5:55 AM
    The next nostalgic release will include the older case designs of the Tandy 1000 and Packard Bell systems, though nowadays, they include rubberized chain-mail gauntlets for the squeamish system builders.
  • 1
    ikyung , November 7, 2011 6:26 AM
    I actually still have my old Commodore 64 in my closet. Working condition with the box. Hopefully, it will be worth something in 30-40 years when I retire haha.
  • -1
    blppt , November 7, 2011 7:01 AM
    "The next nostalgic release will include the older case designs of the Tandy 1000 and Packard Bell systems"

    Unlike PB, my C64-C was very reliable. I dont think too many people will be nostalgic for the malfunctioning messes that PB put out in the US.
  • 3
    stm1185 , November 7, 2011 7:07 AM
    I'd rather they did an Arm version for $500 with a Tegra 3 quad core SOC and a custom version of Linux. $
  • -1
    xx_pemdas_xx , November 7, 2011 7:25 AM
    NuclearShadowBut can it play Uridium? (Thumbs up if you remember that game)I realize it is likely due to the size limit but the lack of a dedicated GPU makes it simply undesirable for that price nostalgia or not.
    Maby with a PCI x16 felxable extender you could mod your own GPU into it... but why not start with an origanal and build it ground up??

  • -1
    nebun , November 7, 2011 7:39 AM
    they should have instilled an nvidia 480 mobile sli setup for that price
  • -1
    dalauder , November 7, 2011 9:44 AM
    Why don't they attempt to market quality portable computers at a reasonable cost like the product that made the Commodore64 a classic? They actually could find a place in the world today for a device that wireless hooked up to your TV and did everything you need a computer to do for $200 (Atom CPU & Linux). Or $600 and put an i5-2310M and GT 540M in it (Windows Optional)?

    Instead, they want to market an overpriced novelty item on nostalgia...I'm just saying that if I went through the trouble to produce it at all, I'd produce a product with a target market wider than "nerds who got rich in the 80's".
  • 0
    rjandric , November 7, 2011 10:01 AM
    The price is understandable since it's entirely R&Dd and made in USA. Back in the day, average machine was this expensive ('80s). I still have 2 C64s one that works and second one for parts and 1541 with bunch of retail games. Emulator on my Mac Pro is OK, but nothing beats the sound of SID coming from the TV.
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