Commodore 128D turned on after 30years! Will it go boom!?!
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Commodore 128D (USA)
Released: January 1987
Price: US $499.95.
CPU: MOS 8502 @ 2 MHz
Zilog Z-80A @ 4 MHz
Sound: 3 channels of sound
RAM: 128K, 512K max.
Display: 16 colors, 640 X 200 max.
40/80 X 25 column text
Ports: Serial, video (composite), RF video (TV)
RGBI (hi-res), expansion (game cart)
Control 1,2 (joysticks), user port, cassette
Strorage: internal 340K 5-1/4" floppy drive
OS: BASIC in ROM, CP/M
The Commodore 128 and 128D came out in 1985, the same year as the amazing Commodore Amiga. The 128D even looks like the Amiga!
There were three major versions of the C128:
the one-piece Model 128 ($299.95) seen here to the right
the two-piece plastic case 128D
the two-piece metal case 128D ($499.95), as seen above.
The 128 is a one-piece model, with a built-in keyboard and optional external floppy drive.
Both 128D models have an internal 5-1/4" floppy drive, and a separate keyboard - a more professional design.
There was originally only one version of the 128D, with a plasic case and a carrying handle, but it failed the FCC regulations for RF emissions, so it was only sold outside of the U.S. This was in 1985.
Two years later, Commodore finally had a version for sale in the U.S. This model is known as the 128DCR, for Cost Reduced. It has a metal case, and a new, cheaper motherboard and floppy drive.
The Commodore 128 family of computers are very unique - having more than one main CPU gives them the ability to run three different operating system:
C64 Mode - 1Mhz, 8502 CPU with 6510 emulation, 99.8% compatible with Commodore 64 BASIC 2.0 hardware and software, accessed by holding down the [Commodore] key while booting, or by typing "GO 64" from the C128 Mode.
C128 Mode - 2Mhz 8502 CPU, 128K Memory, 80 x 25 RGB display, advanced BASIC 7.0 with many new commands including powerful high resolution displays and graphics manipulation.
CP/M Mode - 4Mhz Zilog Z-80 CPU, 100% compatible with CP/M 3.0 applications such as Turbo Pascal and WordStar. Accessed by booting with a CP/M disk in the drive, or by typing "BOOT" from the C128 Mode.
Why these three operating systems? Good question. While the Commodore 128 has a nice, high resolution 80 column display, the most powerful BASIC programming language ever released by Commodore, and a built-in C64 mode for convenience, it wasn't enough to compete with the new crop of computers.
By 1985, IBM PCs and MS-DOS were taking over the world, and few new and successful computers were entering the market. CP/M, the world's most common operating system before MS-DOS arrived, was fast becoming irrelevant.
The 128D was Commodore's last and best 8-bit computer, possibly the best 8-bit computer ever?
#commodore #amiga #fpga #games