Commodore C128

The Commodore 128, released by Commodore International in January 1985, was a successor to the popular Commodore 64 home computer. It was designed to provide backward compatibility with the Commodore 64 while also offering improved hardware capabilities and software compatibility with the CP/M operating system. Here's a closer look at its history:

1. Development and Release: The development of the Commodore 128 began shortly after the release of the Commodore 64 in 1982. Commodore aimed to create a more advanced successor that could capitalize on the success of the Commodore 64 while addressing some of its limitations. The Commodore 128 was officially unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 1985 and was released later that year.

2. Hardware: The Commodore 128 featured three operating modes: C128 mode, which provided compatibility with the Commodore 64 and its software library; CP/M mode, which allowed users to run software designed for the CP/M operating system; and C128 mode, which offered enhanced hardware capabilities and expanded memory. The system was powered by a MOS 8502 microprocessor running at 1 MHz (or up to 2 MHz in C128 mode), with 128 kilobytes of RAM (expandable to 512 kilobytes), and built-in support for both 40-column and 80-column text display modes.

3. Software Compatibility: The Commodore 128 was designed to be compatible with a wide range of software, including games, productivity applications, and development tools. It could run most software designed for the Commodore 64 without modification, thanks to its built-in Commodore 64 mode. Additionally, the inclusion of CP/M compatibility allowed users to run thousands of CP/M software titles on the Commodore 128.

4. Peripherals and Accessories: Commodore offered a variety of peripherals and accessories for the Commodore 128, including disk drives, printers, monitors, and expansion cartridges. One notable accessory was the Commodore 1571 disk drive, which offered enhanced storage capabilities and faster disk access compared to earlier models.

5. Legacy: The Commodore 128 enjoyed moderate success in the home computer market, particularly among users who appreciated its backward compatibility with the Commodore 64 and its expanded hardware capabilities. However, it faced stiff competition from other home computers and the growing popularity of IBM-compatible PCs. Commodore discontinued the Commodore 128 in 1989, but it remains a beloved platform among retro computing enthusiasts, who continue to develop software and hardware for the system to this day.