Commodore breathes new life into iconic C64 computer

by Steven Mostyn - Apr 8 2011, 07:27

If you’re a 30+ technophile with a penchant for retro computing, chances are you’ll begin drooling profusely when we tell you that Commodore is back… and it’s brought the iconic C64 with it.

Likely to appeal to nostalgic hardware lovers for its beautifully clunky and horrifically beige aesthetic, the revamped C64x keyboard actually hides a modern computer equipped with, as standard, a 1.8GHz dual-core Atom D525 processor, 2GBs of RAM, NVIDIA’s Ion2 graphics chipset (DDR3, 512MBs), a multi-format card reader, and USB support.

However, securing a revitalized Commodore 64x doesn’t come cheap, and anyone wanting a computer capable of serving as anything more than a repackaged Netbook will have to pay well above the odds for the privilege. Plus, it’s worth noting that, while Windows is supported, the C64x systems run on the Ubuntu 10.04 LTS operating system.

The Basic C64x costs $595 USD (even without the burden of Microsoft licensing), which delivers all of the aforementioned fixtures and fittings. However, an investment of $895 USD is required in order to enjoy anything resembling ‘a proper’ computer.

As such, the top-tier Ultimate C64x throws a healthy 4GBs of RAM into the mix, along with a spacious 1TB hard disk, an integrated Blu-ray drive, Bluetooth connectivity, and Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) network support.

But then, the Ultimate’s accompanying price point leaves anyone interested in Commodore’s resurrection treading perilously close to the kind of expense associated with Apple’s MacBook systems.

Yet, despite reservations with regard to obvious disparities between pricing and performance, hardened Commodore romantics are unlikely to be swayed when that classic ‘clicky’ keyboard is within their grasp.

Plus, each system also comes with an emulation functionality and a classic game package, which allows users to enjoy some of the great 8-bit software titles that helped make the original C64 one of the world’s most popular home computers.

The C64x line is expected to officially launch before the close of 2011.

Those with even longer memories may want to resist the C64x’s charms in favour of Commodore’s upcoming VIC-Pro, which is based on the awesome VIC 20 and comes with a choice of Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors, integrated graphics, and prices running from $500 USD to $1,200 USD.

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