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Commodore USA to launch Atom-powered PC64

by Pete Mason on 27 August 2010, 14:05

Tags: Commodore USA

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Here's one to bring back memories of those heady days of youth spent playing The Last Ninja.  All-in-one keyboard manufacturer Commodore USA has announced that it will be launching a brand new PC modelled on the original Commodore 64.

Commodore USA isn't to be confused with Commodore Gaming, who launched a series of luscious high-end PCs in 2007.  Instead, this is an American company who has been building AIO keyboards for a few years, despite some problems with the rights to use the original company logos.

All of that has been cleared up though, paving the way for the new PC64.  Shipping in an "exact replica" of the original C64 chassis - complete with attractive beige colouring - the PC will be perfect for those who have a soft-spot for 80's computing while packing up-to-date components. 

Inside will be a 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Atom D525 CPU backed-up by NVIDIA's Ion 2 chipset and 4GB DDR3.  The system will also include 1TB of mechanical storage, a choice of DVD or Blu-ray drives, built-in 802.11n WiFi and a six-in-one card reader.

Unfortunately for those who want to relive the Commodore experience, the company hasn't revealed how much the PC64 will cost.  However, CTO Leo Nigro promises that the PC64 will be available in time for the "holiday season".

HEXUS Forums :: 17 Comments

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Posted by Brewster0101 - Fri 27 Aug 2010 14:19
I think this is a nice idea, but in reality how many people are really going to spend money on this.

I wonder if they will use the same style and feel keys. The keys were horrible compared to todays standards.
Posted by BullDogg - Fri 27 Aug 2010 14:54
Brewster0101
I think this is a nice idea, but in reality how many people are really going to spend money on this.

I wonder if they will use the same style and feel keys. The keys were horrible compared to todays standards.

Agreed. It really doesn't look very comfortable to use. A nice novelty (or expensive emulator?) but I think the market will be limited, even at nettop prices.
Posted by Irien - Fri 27 Aug 2010 14:56
Seconding the problem with the keyboard - a modern 10x key keyboard has a lot of other important keys (cursor keys, Home/End/Insert/Pup/down) that just don't seem to be present in the picture. This would surely make the whole thing rather unpleasant?
Posted by BullDogg - Fri 27 Aug 2010 15:09
Irien
Seconding the problem with the keyboard - a modern 10x key keyboard has a lot of other important keys (cursor keys, Home/End/Insert/Pup/down) that just don't seem to be present in the picture. This would surely make the whole thing rather unpleasant?

Even though that picture was pulled from the Commodore USA web site, I get the feeling its just a shot of the original C64. I mainly say that because another (low quality) shot shows the optical drive popping out of the left hand side. Obviously there's no optical drive in the pic, so I'd guess it's not the new model.
Posted by Percy1983 - Fri 27 Aug 2010 15:11
Surely you could buy an good old 64 on ebay and fit what you want with a bit of work.

Would be shocked if it hasn't been done already.

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