Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Price Check: Commodore 64


The Commodore 64 personal computer, released in August 1982, became the best selling (17 million units) single computer model of all time, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. The Commodore 64 is commonly referred to as the C64; other less common names include CBM 64/CBM64, C= 64.

Introduced by Commodore Business Machines in August 1982 at the low price of US$595, it offered 64 kilobytes of RAM with sound and graphics performance that compared favourably with later IBM compatible computers of that time.

Unlike computers that were distributed only through authorized dealers, Commodore took the lead and also targeted department stores and toy stores and unlike computers the unit could be plugged directly into a television set to play games. A quick google search will uncover a wealth of emulator sites and programs, allowing you to experience the gameplay from the comfort of your own desktop.

To enjoy the whole hands on brown keypad experience for yourself, you can pick up a good deal on ebay from anything between $30 to $75, or you have the option of visiting a decent retro site like retrotrader. Original games (we hope) are going at anything from between $3 and $7, and if you look really really hard this seller on ebay is offering an complete light fantastic package for just $73, including 3d glasses light gun and original games. And remember be cautious out there, you could end up with a retro piece of plastic unless you look for some guarantees.

Elsewhere a c64 fridge magnet will set you back $6, unique joysticks with 30 programmed c64 games will cost you from $10 to $25. If you want to read more about the troubled history of the c64, On the edge the rise and fall of the C64 will cost $30, while a commodore logo tshirt on 8ball will set you back $20.

C64 a potted history from pchistory
C64 on Answers.com

elderly tags

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another brilliant retro offering wise Mr. Elderly. And a 40 pound proposed box of happiness... Can't say I'm not interested... Never had a true C64 y' know.

Never.

Not even once!

:(

Unknown said...

(bows and blushs) it's tough growing up when your deprived like that, your mothers lamp had it coming......

Anonymous said...

Ah,yes, never thought of an excuse like that... Your magnificent brain is once again producing astnishingly smart ... err... thingies!

Unknown said...

such serious deprivation, your inner child is trying to come through...... deeply disturbing........ the lamp hasn't got a twin by any chance....

Anonymous said...

Nope...an only child it is... Well, it was actually.

Still, C64s seem to be readily available...

Unknown said...

your mother should pay for it really, sort of compensation for the void in your soul.......

Anonymous said...

and a dark ominously gaping void it is...

Unknown said...

and an empty void two to make matters worse..... (thanks woody allen)

Anonymous said...

All praise Woody!

(which reminds me... haven't seen Sleepers yet)

Unknown said...

tut tut! it will wait...... but not for ever..... you could lose your sense of humour for example..... unlikely but its a possibility....

Anonymous said...

Oh, dear.. A frightfully terryfying idea that.

Unknown said...

aaaahh (thinks about it.......)

jeeez chr....... :0

back in a sec! (runs to change boxer shorts)

Anonymous said...

:)

Unknown said...

:)

Anonymous said...

:)

(hehehehe)

Unknown said...

(superglues gnomes fingers to his forehead) types

:)

Anonymous said...

-

Unknown said...

finally.......

:)

Anonymous said...

not even close...

:)

Unknown said...

47 years later........

:)

Anonymous said...

2 seconds later


:)

(tiripimpom!)

Unknown said...

(adjust timer dial........locks it in place, swallows key)

4 hours before gnome was born.....

:)