Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
Resources
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • Newsletters
  • Resource Library
  • Forums
  • Sponsored
Go Premium
Popular Topics
  • Top Products
  • AI
  • Developer
  • Payroll
  • Security
  • Project Management
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Academy
  • Project Management
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • Big Data
  • Tech Jobs
View All Topics
Go Premium
Hardware

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

By Mark W. Kaelin January 28, 2008, 12:21 AM PST

Image
1
of 15

Thumb_c64.jpg
Thumb_c64.jpg
Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

So many good memories

So many good memories

For many of us in the baby-boom generation, the first computer we can remember having in our homes was the famous Commodore 64. In the early 1980s, this was a very successful home personal computer. It was the first computer I had that not only played games but also had word processing and a modem for downloading free and shareware applications. In many ways, the Commodore 64 was the pioneer of everything we take for granted in a personal computer world today. After soaking in some nostalgia, we plan to Crack Open this C64 to see what makes it tick.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Found it on eBay

Found it on eBay

Cara Reynolds found our Commodore 64 on eBay. Because it included the original box we couldn’t pass it up.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

It does it all

It does it all

The C64 was a true computer — not only entertainment but productivity applications too. There wasn’t really an operating system — the C64 loaded up a flavor of basic and waited for you to load a program.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

Even in the early 1980s, computer makers were trying to create a friendly user experience.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Specs

Specs

Not impressive by today’s standards, but surprisingly engaging in its day.

Note the emphasis on sound — sound consisting of more than beeps was revolutionary.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Now that's a keyboard

Now that's a keyboard

The keyboard layout has changed much in over 20 years, but there is one thing different about the C64 version. Note the ASCII and color labels on the keys when in the function mode. Sometimes the best graphics when programming in Basic were created with clever use of ASCII characters.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Famous logo

Famous logo

The Commodore 64 has a simple yet memorable logo.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Function keys

Function keys

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Control ports

Control ports

The label says control port, but they are really just the holes you plug your joystick into.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Connect to the outside world

Connect to the outside world

The large connection is where you would hook your external modem. Yes, even in the early 1980s there was an online world to tap into. Back then we referred to them as electronic bulletin boards.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Now that is a power brick

Now that is a power brick

It took a lot of power brick to make the right amount of power for a Commodore 64.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Power specs

Power specs

The C64 power brick is a monstrosity when compared to the power bricks you see for electronics today.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

No coupler needed

No coupler needed

Our C64 came with two 300 baud modems. This is the first one.

How fast is 300 baud? Well, if a snail equals 300 baud, you have to consider the speed of the Earth hurling around the sun to be Gigabit speed.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

I had a modem like this

I had a modem like this

What could you download at 300 baud? Text mostly. At this speed, you received text at about the same speed you could read it.

Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

Self contained

Self contained

To see what a Commodore 64 displayed you had to hook it up to a television. We plan to see our C64 in action before we take it apart. Stay tuned.

  • Hardware
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64

    Your email has been sent

Share: Dinosaur sightings: The Commodore 64
Image of Mark W. Kaelin
By Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology industry, software, hardware, gaming, finance, accounting, and technology geekdom for more than 30 years.
  • Account Information

    Contact Mark W. Kaelin

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Mark W.'s content

Daily Tech Insider

If you can only read one tech story a day, this is it.

TechRepublic TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on X
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on YouTube
  • TechRepublic on Pinterest
  • TechRepublic RSS
Services
  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • Careers
Explore
  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Editorial Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Privacy Policy
© 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
CLOSE

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

Already registered? Sign In
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

* - indicates required fields

CLOSE

Sign in to TechRepublic

Not a member? Create an account
Use Facebook
Use Linkedin

Lost your password? Request a new password

CLOSE

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support.

Back to login
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

No thanks, continue without
1 Finish Profile
2 Newsletter Preferences
CLOSE

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

Newsletter Name
Subscribe
Daily Tech Insider
Daily Tech Insider AU
TechRepublic UK
TechRepublic News and Special Offers
TechRepublic News and Special Offers International
Executive Briefing
Innovation Insider
Project Management Insider
Microsoft Weekly
Cloud Insider
Data Insider
Developer Insider
TechRepublic Premium
Apple Weekly
Cybersecurity Insider
Google Weekly
Toggle All
No thanks, continue without

You're All Set

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.

Back to Home Page
×