Resurrected Commodore 64 Gets a Classic-Inspired Facelift
▼ Summary
– The C64C Ultimate is a follow-up to the C64 Ultimate, recreating the 1986 Commodore 64C with a slimmer case and modern color scheme but no new functionality.
– The new Commodore 64C uses the original 40-year-old injection molds to authentically replicate the plastic housing, including faint semicircular marks from the molding process.
– The C64C Ultimate includes modern upgrades like Wi-Fi, USB, and HDMI, while retaining original ports for compatibility with 1980s peripherals like floppy disk and cassette drives.
– Preorders for the C64C Ultimate start at $299.99, with shipping expected as early as September, and premium versions up to $499.99.
– The original C64 Ultimate, released earlier, accurately replicates the 1982 Commodore 64 using an FPGA chip.
The team behind the C64 Ultimate, a modern homage to the iconic 1980s personal computer powered by an FPGA chip for authentic hardware emulation, has unveiled a new iteration that mirrors its predecessor’s approach. The original Commodore 64 launched in 1982, with the Commodore 64C following in 1986,a model that kept the same internal specs but featured a sleeker chassis and an updated color palette. The newly announced Commodore 64C Ultimate follows this exact blueprint. It delivers a refreshed look for the C64 Ultimate without introducing any new features or capabilities.
To ensure the C64C Ultimate looks the part, the revived Commodore brand went to extraordinary lengths. They tracked down the original injection tooling molds used to produce the plastic casing four decades ago. The result is a shell that even retains subtle semi-circular marks from uneven cooling of molten plastic,a detail so precise it would be nearly impossible to replicate artificially.
While the C64 Ultimate (shown above) sports the more familiar retro design, the C64C Ultimate (below) offers a sleeker, more polished aesthetic. Image credit: Commodore
Like its predecessor, the C64C Ultimate includes modern upgrades such as Wi-Fi connectivity, USB ports, and an HDMI output for use with contemporary monitors. Yet it also retains the original ports from the 1986 model, ensuring compatibility with vintage peripherals like floppy disk drives and cassette tape drives. Preorders are now open, with prices starting at $299.99 and shipping expected as early as September. Premium configurations,featuring extras like LED lighting, a translucent case, and gold keycaps,can reach up to $499.99.
(Source: The Verge)