Commodore Business Machines

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Commodore Business Machines was the maker of the famous Commodore PET and Commodore 64 as well as several business and home-oriented microcomputers. After they bought out MOS, maker of the MOS 6502, they entered the computer market, starting with the KIM-1.

Early 8 bit era

The early days started out with the KIM-1. Commodre went onwards producing the PET computers. There were seveal models of PET computers including the:

  • PET 2001
  • PET 4000
  • PET 8000

Mainstream 8 bit era

The mainstream years were known for the best selling VIC-20, Commodore 64, and Commodore 128 personal computers. The Commodore 64 is probably best known as it has sold an estimated 30 million units, the most sucessfull for any single model of any computer ever.


16 bit computing

During this time, Commodore transistioned to the Amiga family with the purchase of Hi-Torro, after their deal started to fall thru with Atari. These machines were noted for having a 68000 cpu running under 8Mhz, and a coprocessor set similar in concept to the Atari 400.

Models of the time include:

32 bit machines

The move from the 68000 cpu to the 68020, 68030 and 68040 marked a transition to 32bit word computing.

Models inculde:

Around this time, Commodore also tried to enter the video game console arena with a stripped down Amiga 1200, with a built in CD player called the CD-32. However because of a patent fight, they were barred entry to the United States. Commodore was in financial trouble before the CD-32 gamble, however being locked out of the #1 video game market in the world sealed Commodores fate.

See Also