Commodore Makes Appearance with New Goods
Talk about a blast from the past: home "computer" manufacturer Commodore is returning to the scene, bringing a few new goodies to the table at CES '09.
The question one has to initially ask is this: how many Commodore 64 "laptop" computers are currently living in landfills? More than most people probably want to imagine, yet in the early 1980's, the Commodore 64 was THE home computer to own. Who cared if it took thirty minutes to load a modem program via cassette tape? So what if it's huge $595 pricetag offered 8-bit computing and 64k of memory. It still ruled the world, and gave Radio Shack's TSR model a run for its money.
Now Commodore is back, although the company currently is not resurrecting its infamous "C" series of personal computers. This time around, Commodore is entering the netbook market with its "F" and "J" series. Both devices have 10.1-inch screens, however the "F" series features a more sporty look and a keyboard sized around 85 percent of a standard full keyboard. The "J" series lends more to mobile business users, designed with a superfast E-Sata USB port and a larger keyboard. Via C7 / C8 or Intel Atom processors power both netbook models.
According to the company, the netbooks come packed with 1 and 2 GB internal memory, a 160 GB hard disk, built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, three USB ports, and Windows XP already installed (!). There's also an optional external slim line optical drive and a HDD back-up device. Both models offer a direct connection to the CommodoreWorld portal, providing various content such as digital entertainment, TV shows, and actual news channels, all accessed by a special hotkey on the netbook.
Commodore also announced its "M" series of mini-netbooks, designed especially for the worldwide One PC per Child Initiative. The "M" series comes in two models, both sporting a 7-inch screen and various "shell" colors. The company stated that it built the M-450R to run with Windows XP or CE on a RDC 800Mhz CPU with 512MB DDR, equipped with 4GB SSD (Solid State Drive) storage, WiFi, Web Cam, standard 80 keys keyboard and touchpad. The M-400 runs on Linux using Intel's Xscale 366 Mhz CPU, 128MB memory with IGB SSD, and comes equipped with WiFi, standard 80 Key-Keyboard and touchpad.
“We’re ecstatic launch our new line of Commodore netbooks and other products in USA," said President and CEO of Commodore USA Ben van Wijhe. "We are very eager to introduce to the market the new products and services exclusively developed for Commodore. The initial response from the market is very positive and retailers are willing to buy the new line of Commodore netbooks which continue the tradition of the famous Commodore C64.”
Commodore is currently displaying all netbooks at CES, however the company is also showcasing a few other products as well, including mobile internet devices and its new line of GPS devices.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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shovel Ah the old 64...Reply
Got rid of my Atari VCS & bought this real computer in 1984...
Learned how to program in basic, I remember buying PC magazines & typing in pages of text as this was how programs were distributed - you'd spend days typing it in, then days debugging your typo's (or the printing was so crap you couldn't tell an I from a 1). Moved on to Forth, C & then assembler, thus I became a GEEK!
You'd get home from work, turn the telly to the C64, start the tape drive to load a game, cook & eat dinner, have a shower, then sit down for hours of 8bit gaming goodness...
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enewmen The Commodore Amiga was WAY ahead of other PCs at the time. I wonder if it will be possible to create such a futureistic PC now with grapics 10 years ahead via onboard chipset. Also a brand-new build from scratch OS & Kernel. The Amiga can do Ray-Tracing back in late 1985 using Sculpt 3D/Turbo Silver in HAM mode (12 bit color).Reply
Instead of the C64, I was just able to get a Vic-20 for $100 - much cheaper than an Apple ]
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Pomel I too have fond memories of the C64. I am a programmer now because of my experience with the Sinclair ZX81, C64 and TRS-80. However, I don't think the folks using the name now have any connection to the ones who brought us the C64. Another company aquired the rights to the Commodore name. See the link to a story below. A bit cheesy me thinks.Reply
http://news.cnet.com/Is-Commodore-poised-for-a-comeback/2100-1041_3-5998732.html -
theubersmurf They've been making gaming computers for a while now, a year or more. It's not the same, since they're all windows platforms...Reply -
JonnyDough Can you guys please refrain from delving into the past? The old Commodore company has little to do with the company today.Reply
I doubt there are many from that era still working there still. This is about an old company and a new product. Try to focus on the present and what the company is doing today. We all know about the Commodore 64 and we really don't need a trip down your memory lane.
The only thing that Commodore has likely brought along from that ancient bit of history is the company name and a bit of experience.
Nobody brings up the history of Levi Strauss every time an advertisement about Levi jeans comes on the tele, nor do you break into a song and dance about Sears Roebuck when you hear about a department store.
This is a present day company doing present day things. That's what this brief is about. Can we focus on what they're doing and not what they did? I don't much care about the Intel of 10 yrs ago (it makes an interesting article but if I had to read about the Pentium 1 every time something about the i7 benchmarks were mentioned I'd find a new site to read). I want to know what they are doing TODAY. If I want a company history I'll go do some real research.
Thanks,
~Someone who doesn't care so much about the 1972 Chevy you owned in H.S. and has more interest in Chevy's current bailout/new vehicle lineups. -
RichR The news is about a company that was very popular in the 80s and has not been active for more than 20 years. Your complaint and examples do not make sense. Maybe you need to cut down on your caffeine or whatever is making you so worked up for nothing.Reply -
JonnyDough Rich, if they weren't active they wouldn't exist. Businesses either compete, or they die. They don't just linger around for 20 years. Maybe you should get off your mom's couch and actually get out into the world a bit, maybe take some business classes. My examples made perfect sense, maybe you just have comprehension issues.Reply