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.