Larry's (mostly) Commodore Computer
Collection
Here it is, my (mostly) Commodore collection! Compared to some
computer fanatics this is pretty measly, but it is also one of the
more 'theme' oriented collections than some folks.
NOTE: The images below are also
button-links to larger versions, if you want a tad better look at
them.
PHOTO-1
THE MAIN COLLECTION
This photo was taken a few years back when I
actually had enough space in my apartment to store all my machines,
many of which are now stored elsewhere (those PETs sure take up alot
of room). NOTE: If you are thinking of
collecting computers, they take alot of
storage space and shelving not to mention all the related books,
magazines, software and peripherals that go with them.
Most of these PETs were picked up from the local high school (and are
the very same machines I learned BASIC on *sigh*). There are two
rarities in this collection, one is the Commodore
P-500 and the other is the original
PET.
The computers shown, from top to bottom and left to
right:
(first row) Commodore 128, Commodore 16, Commodore Plus/4,
Commodore 64C
(second row) PET 4032 (the large screen 40 column PETs are
also known as 'Fat Forty'), VIC-20, Commodore 16, VIC-20, 2
Tandy/Radio Shack Model 100s (laptops), PET 2001 Series(with 2.0
'upgrade ROMs), Commodore Plus/4
(third row) Amiga 500, Commodore 16,
Commodore P-500 (a rare relation to the B-128
series)
(fourth row) PET 4016, an original Commodore PET (this is it,
a 1977 model, with 'calculator keyboard' and built-in datasette
drive), CBM 8032 (note the 'business keyboard compared to the PET's
'graphic keyboard'), and another 2001 series PET (with 4.0 upgrade
ROMs)
(at the bottom left) a Commodore 64 (with internal stereo SID
modification, the keyboard looks strange cause many of the keys are
from a Commodore 16.) and at that time, the acting
Silicon Realms BBS computer.
PHOTO-2
EDUCATOR 64 (model 4064)
The Educator 64 was Commodore's answer to the education market. Put a
the Commodore 64 in a solid PET case. Which makes it more durable as
well as compact with the built-in monitor (it was also a great way of
using up the monitors from the Fat Forty/8000/9000 series PETs. Many
teachers complained about the breakability of the 64s, the Educator
was an attempt at a compromise (though I bet the kids hated not
having color!)
This machine (somewhat dusty, I admit) is propped open to
reveal the guts, I plugged in a Jumpman Jr. Cartridge to help you
better visualize the circuit board's orientation and in general all
the ports are the same as a 64 except there is an earphone connector
where the power jack would be on a regular 64. The sticker on the
side cautions you NOT to plug in an external monitor. In general the
circuit board is identical to the 64s circuit board and only has
power lines and audio/video connections coming off of it for the
other system components.
To the left of the 64 motherboard is the internal speaker (not
to terribly loud or quality, but reasonable), audio amplifier circuit
and power supply. (Note the PS is nothing like the old PET supply, I
would assume it is similar to what is in a 'brick' supply in that
metal casing. The monitor is a green-screen with higher-phosphor
making it respond more like an LCD than a CRT.
Between the keyboard and the "Educator 64" logo is a quick
reference panel with a few common basic commands (such as loading
directories and programs) and Logo commands.
PHOTO-3
SP-9000 - the SuperPET!
(and some C= calculators)
The SuperPET was a design mainly developed at Waterloo University in
Ontario Canada in order to have a programming learning/development
machine that was compatible with the IBM mainframes they were using
on-campus. The main board of the SuperPET is of an 8032, after that
there are several daughterboards connected with such enhancements as
an extra 64k RAM (which is different than the 64k board in the 8096),
multiple character ROMs, true RS-232 connection (the cable hanging
out is the RS-232 connector), and 6809 co-processor. Three switches
on the right side of the case (adjacent to the RS-232 cable) adjust
what mode the computer will operate in. (I am told many superPETs
have only two switches.)
Unfortunately this current unit is in need of minor repairs
and I have yet to get the additional language/utilities diskettes to
really have fun with it.
Once I collected many of the computers, I start looking for other
stuff, magazines, books, etc. Commodore started out as a typewriter
repair shop in the 50s and later graduated to office furniture and
machinery, if you are lucky you may see a Commodore file cabinet or
desk still in use, and they also made adding machines and later
calculators.
The Calculators shown are (left to right):
- 784D
- Custom Green-Line
- Minuteman 6X
- Minuteman 6 - Probably one of the first Calulators
With the he custom greenline and rechargable GL 987R (not
pictured) required a 4.5v AC adapter the others operate on a 9V
battery. The Minuteman calculators employ RPN notation, can overflow
error if you type too many numbers and had no decimal math (though
you can have a decimal point 'lit' by sliding the power switch to a
third position). I recently purchased my first desk-model the 151P those also take up a bit of room and are
heavy. Commodore calculators and adding machines are easier to find
than some of the older PETs and are way cheaper, I have met a few
calculator collectors, it is becoming a hobby of it's own. Here are some of the C= calculators I have now:
- 208 - an adding machine (for the youn'uns out there - a calulator that uses gears instead of chips)
- C108D - looks like an early eletrionic desk calculator as the buttons are arranged kind of like an adding machine's.
- US*8 - Similar to the 108D but with a point indicator and the additional "K" key (some sort of clear?)
- US-151P - Large desk model eletronic calulator, no display all readout is done on paper tape.
- US*3 - Could be considered a pocket calculator if you had one of
those big overall pockets. Can use 4 C cell batteries or AC
adapter.
Other Commodore goodies (I have yet to find) include digital
watches and I have seen pics of a thermostat as well. Then there are
the promotional items which include suspenders with the Commodore
logo (when Commodore was offering "support" to its business
partners...), brochures and pamphlets as well as ads and articles in
magazines.
What's not pictured
My SX 64s, a 128D(cr, no keyboard), various datasettes, disk
drives, printers, modems, software programs, cartridges, books,
magazines, manuals, literature, many more calculators, adding
machines, and related thingamijigs. Also my small (relatively)
entries into 8-bit Atari (400, 800, 130XE) and Apple (][c) lines.
PHOTO-1
