Commodore 16

Last updated
Commodore 16
Commodore 16 logo-3-01.svg
Commodore 16 002a.png
Commodore 16
Manufacturer Commodore Business Machines
Product familyCommodore 264 series
Type Home computer
Release date1984;40 years ago (1984)
Introductory priceUS$99(equivalent to $280 in 2022)
Discontinued1985;39 years ago (1985)
Units shipped1,266,000 (worldwide)
Media ROM cartridge, Compact Cassette
Operating system Commodore KERNAL/BASIC 3.5
CPU MOS Technology 7501 or 8501 @ 0.89/1.76 MHz (avg. approx. 1.1 MHz) [1]
Memory16 KB RAM + 32 KB ROM [2]
Display320×200, 320×160 (with 5 lines of text), 160×200, 160×160 (with 5 lines of text)
Graphics TED (320 × 200, 121 colors) [2] [3]
Sound TED (2 channels, 4 octaves + white noise) [2]
Input Keyboard (66 keys, 4 function keys, 4 cursor keys), Joystick
Dimensions40.7 cm × 20.4 cm × 7.7 cm (16.0 in × 8.0 in × 3.0 in) [2]
Related Commodore Plus/4
Commodore 116
Commodore 116 Conte (transparent bg) (shadow).png
Type Home computer
Input Keyboard
Original Commodore 16 box Commodore 16 001 (fair use).jpg
Original Commodore 16 box

The Commodore 16 is a home computer made by Commodore International with a 6502-compatible 7501 or 8501 CPU, released in 1984 and intended to be an entry-level computer to replace the VIC-20. A cost-reduced version, the Commodore 116, was mostly sold in Europe.

Contents

The C16 and C116 belong to the same family as the higher-end Plus/4 and are internally very similar [4] : 24  to it (albeit with less RAM – 16 KB rather than 64 KB – and lacking the Plus/4's user port [2] and Three-Plus-One software). Software is generally compatible among all three provided it can fit within the C16's smaller RAM and does not utilize the user port on the Plus/4.

While the C16 was a failure on the US market, it enjoyed some success in certain European countries and Mexico.

Intention

The C16 was intended to compete with other sub-$100 computers from Timex Corporation, Mattel, and Texas Instruments (TI). Timex's and Mattel's computers were less expensive than the VIC-20, and although the VIC-20 offered better expandability, [5] [6] a full-travel keyboard, and in some cases more memory, the C16 offered a chance to improve upon those advantages. The TI-99/4A was priced in-between Commodore's VIC-20 and Commodore 64, and is somewhat between them in capability, but TI was lowering its prices. On paper, the C16 was a closer match for the TI-99/4A than the aging VIC-20.

Commodore president Jack Tramiel feared that one or more Japanese companies would introduce a consumer-oriented computer and undercut everyone's prices. [7] Although Japanese companies would soon dominate the U.S. video game console market, their feared dominance of the home computer field never materialized. Additionally, Timex, Mattel, and TI departed the computer market before the C16 was released.

Description

Outwardly the C16 resembles the VIC-20 and the Commodore 64, but with a dark-gray or dark-brown case and light-gray keys. The keyboard layout differs slightly from the earlier models, adding an escape key and four cursor keys replacing the shifted-key arrangement the C-64 and VIC inherited from the PET series. The C16 is in some respects faster than the Commodore 64 and VIC-20; the processor runs at a speed roughly 75% faster, and the BASIC interpreter contains dedicated graphics commands, making drawing images considerably faster.

The system was designed around the TED chip which included NTSC and PAL video, sound and DRAM refresh functionality. Though according to the designer it "was supposed to be as close to a single-chip computer as we could get in the 1980s," [8] : 38  the CPU, RAM, ROM and some glue logic were still on their own separate chips. (This was considerably less integrated than microcontrollers of the day, but those did not generally offer video and sound functionality.)

The C16 has 16 KB of RAM with 12 KB available to its built-in BASIC interpreter. The TED chip offered a palette of 121 colors, which was considerably more than the 16 colors available on the Commodore 64's VIC-II video chip, but it lacked the VIC-II's sprites and the sound capabilities were not as advanced as the SID also used in the Commodore 64.

From a practical user's point of view, three tangible features the C16 lacks are a modem port and VIC-20/C64-compatible Datasette and game ports. Commodore sold a C16-family-specific Datassette (the Commodore 1531) and joysticks, but the pins are identical to those used on the Commodore 64, so can be used with a simple adapter, in fact Commodore themselves sold Commodore 16 models with C2N datasettes designed for the Commodore 64 with adapters after the initial production run. The reason for changing the joystick ports was to reduce size. [9] The C16's serial port (Commodore's proprietary "serial CBM-488 bus", was a variation of the Commodore PET IEEE interface as used on the VIC-20 and Commodore 64, which meant that printers and disk drives were interchangeable with the older machines. As it was a serial interface, modems could be connected with a suitable interface. Partially for cost reasons, the user port, designed for modems and other devices, was omitted from the C16 (although the connections for it were still present on the system board). Despite costing less than the Plus/4, the C16's keyboard was higher quality and easier to type on.

Commodore 16 main PCB, standard version Commodore 16 Main PCB.jpg
Commodore 16 main PCB, standard version
Early Commodore 16 single layer PCB (prototype), not used in regular series model C16pi.jpg
Early Commodore 16 single layer PCB (prototype), not used in regular series model
European box, Commodore 16 prototype (bottom left) and a regular series model with black case C16OVPPS.jpg
European box, Commodore 16 prototype (bottom left) and a regular series model with black case

The Commodore 16 is one of three computers in its family. The even-less-successful Commodore 116 is functionally and technically similar but was shipped in a smaller case with a rubber chiclet keyboard and was only available in Europe. The family's flagship, the Commodore Plus/4, was shipped in a similar case but has a 59-key full-travel keyboard (with a specifically advertised "cursor key diamond" of four keys, contrasted with the VIC-20's and C64's two + shift key scheme inherited from the PET), 64 KB of RAM, a modem port, and built-in entry-level office suite software. Although shipped with 16K from the factory, it was possible to modify the C16 for 64K, making it able to run any Plus/4 software except applications that required the user port or built-in programs.[ citation needed ]

The C16 had a memory expansion port, labelled as a cartridge port on the machine, but referred to as a memory/cartridge port in the manual. Commodore never sold a memory expansion for the C16, but they were available from third party developers. With 64 kB, the C16 is identical to the Plus/4, except for the built in software of the Plus/4.[ citation needed ]

Hardware designer Bil Herd notes that the C116 is the original member of this family of computers and is the original vision as imparted by Jack Tramiel to the engineering department. It was designed to sell for $49 to $79. The C16 and the Plus/4 came later and were mostly driven by the company trying to figure out what to do with the new computer family after Tramiel's departure from Commodore.

In an early stage of development of the C16, Commodore was planning to have single layer PCBs built in as an attempt of cost reducing, with the manufacturing cost of such a PCB being around $12. [10] But these plans were later discarded possibly due to technical problems. [11] It was the first and only attempt of Commodore using single layer PCBs inside their computers, and only one such PCB is known to be preserved.

Market performance

The C16 was a major failure in the U.S. and was discontinued within a year, but it sold reasonably well in Europe as a low-end game machine (over 90% of all C16 software was produced by European developers) and in Mexico as well.

The C16's failure in the US market was likely due to a lack of software support, incompatibility with the C64, and lack of importance to Commodore after its competitors withdrew from the market.

A total of 1 million Plus/4s, C16s, and C116s were sold, with the latter two accounting for about 60% of its total volume.

Beginning in 1986, remaining C16, C116 and Plus/4 inventories were sold at a much-reduced price on the Eastern Bloc market, chiefly Hungary. Hungary did not produce any home computers at the time, the Soviet and Bulgarian models were far too expensive for most Hungarians while the East German models were not for sale to private parties, and most Western models were completely unavailable. Thus, this move by Commodore was the first chance for many people in Hungary to own a computer at all. It created a fanbase that lasted well into the 1990s and that contributed several unofficial ports of popular Commodore 64 programs. [12] [ citation needed ]

Mexico

In Mexico, the C16 was sold as a beginner's computer from early 1985 to 1992. Aurrerá supermarkets distributed them with Grupo Sigma S.A., a local distributor of Commodore USA. The computer was marketed as "Sigma-Commodore 16" [13] (all other Commodore computers sold in Mexico had the same moniker). Basically, this model is the same as the American/European C16; as it doesn't have the "Ñ" key needed for writing the Spanish language, the only difference is the custom label.

Aurrera Supermarket also sold software, peripherals and books about to how to program Commodore Computers. All this merchandise was displayed in special modules at the electronics department called "El Universo de la Computación" (The Universe of the Computer Science). The success of Commodore in Mexico was in granted by the fact that Aurrera Supermarket let anyone test the machines in store, so people gathered to play games and exchange programs in unofficial computer clubs. [2]

At least four annual software writing contests were held sponsored by Aurrera Supermarket, Grupo Sigma and Commodore between 1985 and 1989. [14] These contests had entries for programming, custom hardware and computer graphics for the C16, C64, C128 and Amiga. Prizes included money, Commodore software and hardware and the right to have the software published by Grupo Sigma for the local market. The contest winners had limited sales restricted only to Mexico, so the resulting original software is almost impossible to find.

Grupo Sigma stopped supporting the brand in mid-1993, in favor of the growing (and more profitable) IBM PC compatible market.

Video

15 colours in 8 luminance, giving 120 shades of colour levels plus Black.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore 1541</span> External 5¼-inch floppy disk drive for the Commodore C64 homecomputer

The Commodore 1541 is a floppy disk drive which was made by Commodore International for the Commodore 64 (C64), Commodore's most popular home computer. The best-known floppy disk drive for the C64, the 1541 is a single-sided 170-kilobyte drive for 5¼" disks. The 1541 directly followed the Commodore 1540.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore 64</span> 8-bit home computer introduced in 1982

The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, is an 8-bit home computer introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International. It has been listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest-selling single computer model of all time, with independent estimates placing the number sold between 12.5 and 17 million units. Volume production started in early 1982, marketing in August for US$595. Preceded by the VIC-20 and Commodore PET, the C64 took its name from its 64 kilobytes(65,536 bytes) of RAM. With support for multicolor sprites and a custom chip for waveform generation, the C64 could create superior visuals and audio compared to systems without such custom hardware.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore International</span> American home computer and electronics manufacturer

Commodore International was an American home computer and electronics manufacturer founded by Jack Tramiel. Commodore International (CI), along with its subsidiary Commodore Business Machines (CBM), was a significant participant in the development of the home computer industry in the 1970s to early 1990s. In 1982, the company developed and marketed the world's second-best selling computer, the Commodore 64, and released its Amiga computer line in July 1985. Commodore was one of the world's largest personal computer manufacturers, with sales peaking in the last quarter of 1983 at $49 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MOS Technology 6510</span> 8-bit microprocessor

The MOS Technology 6510 is an 8-bit microprocessor designed by MOS Technology. It is a modified form of the very successful 6502. The 6510 is widely used in the Commodore 64 (C64) home computer and its variants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atari 8-bit family</span> Home computer series introduced in 1979

The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers introduced by Atari, Inc. in 1979 with the Atari 400 and Atari 800. As the first home computer architecture with coprocessors, it has graphics and sound more advanced than most of its contemporaries. Video games were a major appeal, and first-person space combat simulator Star Raiders is considered the platform's killer app. The "Atari 8-bit family" label was not contemporaneous. Atari, Inc., used the term "Atari 800 [or 400] home computer system", often combining the model names into "Atari 400/800" or "Atari home computers".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Tramiel</span> American businessman and Holocaust survivor (1928–2012)

Jack Tramiel was an American businessman and Holocaust survivor, best known for founding Commodore International. The Commodore PET, VIC-20, and Commodore 64 are some home computers produced while he was running the company. Tramiel later formed Atari Corporation after he purchased the remnants of the original Atari, Inc. from its parent company. He was one of 6 people spotlighted when the computer was denoted "Machine of the Year" by Time magazine in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore 128</span> Home computer released in 1985

The Commodore 128, also known as the C128, C-128, or C= 128, is the last 8-bit home computer that was commercially released by Commodore Business Machines (CBM). Introduced in January 1985 at the CES in Las Vegas, it appeared three years after its predecessor, the Commodore 64, the bestselling computer of the 1980s. Approximately 2.5 million C128s were sold during its four year production run.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VIC-20</span> 1981 home computer by Commodore

The VIC-20 is an 8-bit home computer that was sold by Commodore Business Machines. The VIC-20 was announced in 1980, roughly three years after Commodore's first personal computer, the PET. The VIC-20 was the first computer of any description to sell one million units. It was described as "one of the first anti-spectatorial, non-esoteric computers by design...no longer relegated to hobbyist/enthusiasts or those with money, the computer Commodore developed was the computer of the future."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore PET</span> Personal computer system

The Commodore PET is a line of personal computers produced starting in 1977 by Commodore International. A single all-in-one case combines a MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor, Commodore BASIC in read-only memory, keyboard, monochrome monitor, and, in early models, a cassette deck.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TI-99/4A</span> Home computer by Texas Instruments

The TI-99/4 and TI-99/4A are home computers released by Texas Instruments in 1979 and 1981, respectively. The TI-99 series competed against home computers such as the Apple II, TRS-80, Atari 400/800, and VIC-20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore Plus/4</span> 1984 home computer by Commodore International

The Commodore Plus/4 is a home computer released by Commodore International in 1984. The "Plus/4" name refers to the four-application ROM-resident office suite ; it was billed as "the productivity computer with software built in".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAX Machine</span> 1982 home computer

MAX Machine, also known as Ultimax in the United States and Canada and VC-10 in Germany, is a Video game console designed and sold by Commodore International in Japan, beginning in early 1982, a predecessor to the popular Commodore 64, also sharing a lot of components with the C64. The Commodore 64 manual mentions the machine by name, suggesting that Commodore intended to sell the machine internationally; however, it is unclear whether the machine was ever actually sold outside Japan. When it was officially presented, in Tokyo, for the first time, it was named Commodore VICKEY.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore Datasette</span> Dedicated magnetic tape data storage device

The Commodore 1530 (C2N) Datasette, later also Datassette, is Commodore's dedicated magnetic-tape data storage device. Using compact cassettes as the storage medium, it provides inexpensive storage to Commodore's 8-bit computers, including the PET, VIC-20, and Commodore 64. A physically similar model, Commodore 1531, was made for the Commodore 16 and Plus/4 series computers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore 65</span> Prototype computer

The Commodore 65 is a prototype computer created at Commodore Business Machines in 1990–1991. It is an improved version of the Commodore 64, and it was meant to be backwards-compatible with the older computer, while still providing a number of advanced features close to those of the Amiga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C64 Direct-to-TV</span> Games console

The C64 Direct-to-TV, called C64DTV for short, is a single-chip implementation of the Commodore 64 computer, contained in a joystick, with 30 built-in games. The design is similar to the Atari Classics 10-in-1 TV Game. The circuitry of the C64DTV was designed by Jeri Ellsworth, a computer chip designer who had previously designed the C-One.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atarisoft</span> Brand name by Atari, Inc.

Atarisoft was a brand name used by Atari, Inc. in 1983 and 1984 to publish video games for non-Atari home computers and consoles. Each platform had a specific color for its game packages: video games sold for the Commodore 64 were in green boxes, games for the TI-99/4A in yellow, the IBM PC in blue, and so on.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore 64 peripherals</span>

The Commodore 64 home computer used various external peripherals. Due to the backwards compatibility of the Commodore 128, most peripherals would also work on that system. There is also some compatibility with the VIC-20 and Commodore PET.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bil Herd</span>

Bil Herd is a computer engineer who created several designs for 8-bit home computers while working for Commodore Business Machines in the early to mid-1980s.

Commodore 64 disk/tape emulation and data transfer comprises hardware and software for Commodore 64 disk & tape emulation and for data transfer between either Commodore 64 (C64), Commodore (1541) disk drive or Commodore tape deck and newer computers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commodore D9060</span> Family of hard drives

The Commodore D9060/D9090 Hard Disks were the only family of hard drives that Commodore made for both the home and business market. The electronics are identical in the D9060 and the larger D9090 unit; the only difference is the size of the installed hard drive, with a jumper set to distinguish between 4 or 6 disk heads. Originally intended for the metal-cased PET/CBM series of computers, they are compatible with the VIC-20, Commodore 64 and later models with an adapter.

References

  1. ↑ "Commodore 16". c64-wiki.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "COMMODORE > C16". old-computers.com. Archived from the original on 5 January 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  3. ↑ Persson, Andres. "Plus/4 - 121 colors in 1984!". boray.se. Anders' computer museum. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  4. ↑ SERVICE MANUAL MODEL PLUS 4 COMPUTER PN-314001-04 (PDF). Commodore Business Machine. 1 October 1984. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2020.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  5. ↑ "MATTEL ELECTRONICS > Aquarius". old-computers.com. Archived from the original on 4 October 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "SINCLAIR > ZX 81". old-computers.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "The Commodore 64". pc-history.org. Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Herd, Bil; Morabito, Margaret (2021). Back into the Storm: A Design Engineer's Story of Commodore Computers in the 1980s (Kindle ed.). ISBN   9798534584950.
  9. ↑ The Commodore C116 as shown by Bil Herd on YouTube
  10. ↑ YouTube.com: Life at Commodore (Act II) — Bil Herd. Retrieved15 February 2022.
  11. ↑ Herd, Bil (12 May 2017). "Re: Hardware rarities from Rob Clarke's..." plus4world.powweb.com/forum. Commodore Plus/4 World. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  12. ↑ "History of the Commodore 264 series of microcomputers, with focus also on Hungary". The C16-Plus/4 retro page.
  13. ↑ "Sigma Commodore 16 - Hardware - Plus/4 World". Plus4world.powweb.com. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  14. ↑ "Grupo Sigma S.A. Commodore Details". Plus/4 World Team. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.