Commodore 65
| File:Commodore logo 1980s.svg | |
| Developer | Commodore International |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Commodore |
| Type | Home computer |
| Discontinued | 1991 |
| Operating system | Commodore BASIC 10.0 |
| CPU | MOS Technology 4510 @ 3.54 MHz (65CE02-based) |
| Memory | 128 KB – 1 MB RAM (expandable to 8 MB) |
| Storage | Internal 3.5" floppy disk drive, cartridge port |
| Display | 320×200, 640×200, 640×400, 256 colors (12-bit RGB palette) |
| Graphics | VIC-III graphics chip |
| Sound | 2× MOS Technology 8580 SID chips (stereo) |
| Backward compatibility | Partial Commodore 64 software compatibility |
| Predecessor | Commodore 64, Commodore 128 |
| Successor | Amiga series (unofficial) |
The Commodore 65 (also known as C65) was a prototype 8-bit home computer developed by Commodore International in the early 1990s as a successor to the Commodore 64. It was intended to bridge the gap between the aging C64 platform and the more powerful Commodore Amiga series. Although the C65 was never commercially released, it remains one of the most advanced 8-bit systems ever designed and is notable among computer collectors and retrocomputing enthusiasts.
History
The Commodore 65 project began around 1990 under the internal name "C64DX," with the goal of offering a more powerful 8-bit machine that remained largely compatible with Commodore 64 software. It was envisioned as a stopgap product that would offer C64 users enhanced capabilities—including better graphics, faster processing, a more capable BASIC interpreter, and internal floppy disk storage.
Development was led by Commodore’s West Chester, Pennsylvania office. However, the C65 faced competition from Commodore’s own Amiga line and internal disagreements about product direction. After the departure of CEO Irving Gould and the company’s ongoing financial difficulties, the project was cancelled in 1991 before mass production began.
Specifications
The Commodore 65 combined legacy 8-bit architecture with significant improvements over the C64:
Processor
- **MOS 4510 (65CE02 core)**: An enhanced 8-bit processor running at 3.54 MHz, significantly faster than the 1 MHz CPU in the C64.
Memory
- 128 KB to 1 MB of RAM on board (expandable to 8 MB)
- 128 KB ROM containing Commodore BASIC 10.0 and KERNAL
Storage
- Built-in 3.5" double-density floppy disk drive (Commodore 1581-compatible)
- C64-compatible cartridge expansion port
Graphics
- **VIC-III graphics chip**
- Display modes up to 640×400 resolution
- 256 on-screen colors selected from a 4096-color palette
- Enhanced text modes with 80-column support
- Hardware scrolling, blitting, and split-screen features
Sound
- Two **MOS 8580 SID** sound chips for stereo output
- FM synthesis capabilities similar to the C64, but improved voice panning and output
Software
The C65 featured **Commodore BASIC 10.0**, a major update from BASIC 2.0 used in the C64. The new version introduced structured programming constructs, advanced graphics commands, and enhanced disk access.
It retained partial backward compatibility with Commodore 64 software, although the VIC-III’s different memory layout and additional instructions sometimes caused incompatibilities.
Legacy
Although the Commodore 65 never saw commercial release, around 50 to 200 prototypes were built before the project was terminated. Some of these units were later sold as surplus when Commodore was liquidated in the mid-1990s. Due to their rarity and significance, C65s are highly sought after by collectors, often fetching prices over US$30,000 at auction.[1]
The system became a subject of fascination in the retrocomputing world, inspiring various efforts to emulate or recreate its architecture. The most prominent of these is the **MEGA65**, an open-source FPGA-based recreation of the Commodore 65 developed by the Museum of Electronic Games & Art (MEGA) in Germany.[2]
Emulation and Preservation
C65 emulation has been integrated into VICE (emulator), a widely used Commodore emulator suite, and several ROM dumps are available for archival and testing purposes. The MEGA65 platform provides near-complete emulation and extension of the original C65 design.
See also
References
- ↑ "Commodore 65 prototype sells for $30,000". PCWorld. January 8, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ↑ "MEGA65 Official Website". Retrieved June 1, 2024.