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The Commodore 64 is back from the dead
THE ANCIENT Commodore 64 is back from the dead and like all good zombies it is apparently "better than ever".
The new Commodore 64 features a design that mimics the classic machine, but the computer will actually be functional in modern terms with current applications thanks to a mini-ITC motherboard, a dual-core Intel 525 Atom processor, between 2GB and 4GB of DDR3 RAM and an Nvidia Ion2 graphics chipset.
Users can wow their friends as they play modern games on the obsolete looking device, which carries the traditional taupe brown colour that it probably acquired as it climbed out of its dusty grave.
The Zombiedore 64 includes an updated keyboard, which has Cherry brand key switches and an IBM classic mechanism and click sound. The keys look the same, but reportedly they have a better action and feel.
Other new features include a DVD drive with an option for a Blu-ray drive, a multi-format card reader, several USB slots, the ability to display full HD 1080p video on monitors and TVs, and WiFi capability.
For the nostalgic among us there is a Commodore 64 emulator built into the boot menu, allowing users to play classic 8-bit games. We trust that the modern PC inside is powerful enough to manage this.
Windows can be installed, while keeping the Commodore operating system as well, creating a dual-boot computer. We imagine it can run Linux, too.
Prices range from $250 for the basic case and keyboard to $895 with the full computer inside. µ
Tags: Hardware
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mycelo, It does have audio in obliviously but you cant load a commodore 64 cassette into an emulator like that, That's not how commodore tapes work, You can buy an adapter though.
wow!, what a surprise this is!
i can't wait to see it in real life!
he he he he he he he he he
"thanks to a mini-ITC motherboard"
Please link to mini-ITC specification.
So I guess it has the audio in for my blocky cassete recorder, right?
Otherwise I'm out.
:-)
Remember 'Revenge of the Mutant Camels'?
Amiga is alive and kicking. Amiga OS is in version 4.1, and the sam460ex boards it runs on are in circulation.
http://www.acube-systems.biz/index.php?page=hardware&pid=5
http://hyperion-entertainment.biz/
OK, this is pretty cool. Though for the amount of money they're asking for the "C64 Standard", it really ought to be something like an AMD quad-core. Not sure if there's a mini-ITX motherboard that'll take a quad-core, but if there is, it should be in there.
Agreed that they should include a bunch of the old games, since the whole appeal of this new C64 is the retro factor. The original appeal of the C64 over the Apple ][+ was always its value. The current owners of the Commodore marks would do well to remember that.
I'm glad it has the "IBM-style" keyboard. Those remain great keyboards.
It is using the atom processor. If they decide to go AMD Fusion later I might think about it, but other than that it will be a dog. The Amiga was the king in its day.
It looks like they stuffed a standard mini-itx board in the full sized model. It seems kind of steep if that's really what was done, but the modding possibilities should be wonderful.
$895 is a bit steep for a Blu-Ray player. I can get one for $150 or so. The rest is useless if you don't have software for it.
However, if they throw in a large collection of the classic Commodore games, and make sure the emulator can actually run them, then I'm interested.
Amiga coming back to life.
I bet you can't plug it into the UHF socket of your TV!
I'm almost tempted to get one.