Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Commodore 64 - 2025

maflynn

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
Original poster
May 3, 2009
74,849
45,190
I stumbled upon that the original designers of the commodore 64 bought back the rights and are looking to produce a nostalgic version of the C64. I never owned own, I debated between this and the Color Computer, and in many ways I had regretted the move. It wasn't too long until I actually saved up the money to buy a IBM PC/XT, but that's a story for another thread

Modernized Commodore 64 remake with 99% compatibility coming soon

If you want one, you can pre-order now via Commodore with a “no quibble money-back guarantee” for a full refund if you ever change your mind. The standard price is $349, but there’s an early bird special that lets you snag one for $299 if you’re quick—and if you buy two, you can get an additional 10% off your order.
Click to expand...

www.commodore.net

Home | Commodore

Honouring the past. Innovating the future. This is the first real Commodore computer in over 30 years, and it's picked up a few new tricks.
www.commodore.net www.commodore.net

1754258527865.png
 
  • Like
  • Love
  • Wow
Reactions: Janichsan, edubfromktown, arefbe and 6 others
Very cool, but if you are at all inclined to delve into retro computing, just buy a MiSTer.

No stake, but I can highly recommend the Mister Multisystem (1 or 2!)

multisystem.uk

MiSTer Multisystem² | All-in-one FPGA console

A next-generation, all-in-one consolised retro gaming machine which uses FPGA hardware emulation for the most accurate gaming experience.
multisystem.uk multisystem.uk

That said it is cool to be able to still support the original creators. Especially if you must have this terrible keyboard :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reverend Benny
maflynn said:
My point wasn't to be able to run old software but to have a piece of history, so to speak. For nostalgia sake, it might be cool to own on of these.
Click to expand...

My first computer still runs and a few years ago I started exploring it again. There's something different about having a genuine original experience (or something close to it) vs just running the software via an emulator. It might simply be that I have memories of what it was like to use it in the past coloring my experience, but I found myself really enjoying the experience.

I thought I'd run a few programs, play a game for a minute and go "Well that was fun, back in the box you go." That wasn't what happened. If something took a long time to load, it wasn't frustrating. It was just part of the experience and it was oddly meditative.

I just wanted to go deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole. I retr0brited the case to restore it cosmetically to almost new and ended up making a permanent spot in my office for it. I bought new replica joysticks and devices to have around in case my old aging accessories bite the dust finally.

I've been tempted by some of the rereleases of old icons like the C64. I didn't have one growing up, but I always wanted one. That 2025 C64 and the Atari 400 Mini are really tempting. The only thing stopping me is that I wouldn't have any time to devote to them. I don't want to own one just to own one.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jchap, Technerd108, WriteNow and 2 others
I sold/gave away (can’t remember) my Atari ST, many many years ago…. 🫣
But a couple of years ago (Covid times) while sorting through the loft came across all my old games, which I couldn’t part with.
So with many a spare hour (at the time), I repurchased a nice clean model from eBay with all necessary bits and bobs.

Even though I could play ANY game with Hitari (emulator), there is something nice about using the old 3.5” floppies….
😁

That being said, I really haven’t had much time to play around on it….🥴

IMG_0193.jpeg
 
  • Like
  • Love
  • Wow
Reactions: arefbe, leifp, jchap and 6 others
MarkC426 said:
I sold/gave away (can’t remember) my Atari ST, many many years ago…. 🫣
But a couple of years ago (Covid times) while sorting through the loft came across all my old games, which I couldn’t part with.
So with many a spare hour (at the time), I repurchased a nice clean model from eBay with all necessary bits and bobs.

Even though I could play ANY game with Hitari (emulator), there is something nice about using the old 3.5” floppies….
😁

That being said, I really haven’t had much time to play around on it….🥴
Click to expand...

Oh wow, that 520ST looks like it's in great shape! I didn't mention what my computer was. It's a first release 1040STf. Like you, Covid was my motivation to fire this classic back up and as you said, there's something about using 3.5" floppies.

I had forgotten how fast the desktop appears on an Atari ST. The OS being relatively simple and stored entirely on chips, comes on as fast as our current day computers wake from sleep. I did manage to find some time to spend with it in that first year though. Check out the difference a retro0brite treatment made on my old ST.

I also bought new parts to replace the switches from my original mouse and upgraded the keyboard with tactile nubs from BeST Electronics. I'm thinking of buying a TOS 2.06 upgrade and replacing my original TOS chips so I can use an SD Card drive.


AtariST-Before.jpg
AtariST-After.jpg
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: Larsvonhier, TechRunner, MarkC426 and 3 others
smirking said:
Oh wow, that 520ST looks like it's in great shape! I didn't mention what my computer was. It's a first release 1040STf. Like you, Covid was my motivation to fire this classic back up and as you said, there's something about using 3.5" floppies.

I had forgotten how fast the desktop appears on an Atari ST. The OS being relatively simple and stored entirely on chips, comes on as fast as our current day computers wake from sleep. I did manage to find some time to spend with it in that first year though. Check out the difference a retro0brite treatment made on my old ST.

I also bought new parts to replace the switches from my original mouse and upgraded the keyboard with tactile nubs from BeST Electronics. I'm thinking of buying a TOS 2.06 upgrade and replacing my original TOS chips so I can use an SD Card drive.


View attachment 2534383View attachment 2534384
Click to expand...
Finding a nice color monitor on eBay is difficult.
Yours looks in good condition.

I went for a standard TV with an adapter cable, which takes sound and picture to it, and sounds great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jchap
maflynn said:
I stumbled upon that the original designers of the commodore 64 bought back the rights and are looking to produce a nostalgic version of the C64. I never owned own, I debated between this and the Color Computer, and in many ways I had regretted the move. It wasn't too long until I actually saved up the money to buy a IBM PC/XT, but that's a story for another thread

Modernized Commodore 64 remake with 99% compatibility coming soon



www.commodore.net

Home | Commodore

Honouring the past. Innovating the future. This is the first real Commodore computer in over 30 years, and it's picked up a few new tricks.
www.commodore.net www.commodore.net

View attachment 2534150
Click to expand...
We had a Commodore Vic 20, which was its less powerful (budget!) model. Similar looking though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: arefbe, jchap, maflynn and 1 other person
maflynn said:
I stumbled upon that the original designers of the commodore 64 bought back the rights and are looking to produce a nostalgic version of the C64. I never owned own, I debated between this and the Color Computer, and in many ways I had regretted the move. It wasn't too long until I actually saved up the money to buy a IBM PC/XT, but that's a story for another thread

Modernized Commodore 64 remake with 99% compatibility coming soon



www.commodore.net

Home | Commodore

Honouring the past. Innovating the future. This is the first real Commodore computer in over 30 years, and it's picked up a few new tricks.
www.commodore.net www.commodore.net

View attachment 2534150
Click to expand...

I have an HP-67 on my desk and use it regularly and that's enough for me. There's one in the Smithsonian too.
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: MarkC426 and jbachandouris
I miss my Commodore 64 (and 128) but not $249 miss. Enjoy everyone.

$179 from eBay but then I need to get a joystick and games.... Landlord left his mother's CRT TV here that I could use if I decided to dive in. Miss the simplicity of old computing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MarkC426
erihp said:
Very cool, but if you are at all inclined to delve into retro computing, just buy a MiSTer.

No stake, but I can highly recommend the Mister Multisystem (1 or 2!)

multisystem.uk

MiSTer Multisystem² | All-in-one FPGA console

A next-generation, all-in-one consolised retro gaming machine which uses FPGA hardware emulation for the most accurate gaming experience.
multisystem.uk multisystem.uk

That said it is cool to be able to still support the original creators. Especially if you must have this terrible keyboard :)
Click to expand...
The controller slot is a pretty cool feature.
 
Had Ti-99/4a, C64, C128, and of course Pong. No idea where any of them are now. I was in Florida for 6.5 years and most of what I left behind, my brother sold or gave away. No idea.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MarkC426
MarkC426 said:
Finding a nice color monitor on eBay is difficult.
Yours looks in good condition.
Click to expand...

It is! It's my original monitor and it survived being shipped cross country four times. I can't believe it still works and works as well as it does.

MarkC426 said:
I recently discovered the Atari ST and Mac SE have very similar specs.
Click to expand...

With one teeny exception. Wow, the price difference!
 
  • Haha
Reactions: MarkC426
Larsvonhier said:
speaking about demos: visit www.pouet.net and head over to the Atari ST/STE section there. You might be surprised by current productions that break all borders of the original system limits... :)
Click to expand...
very familiar!

love the demoscene, wish it was more prevalent in the USA, on the bucket list is make it to a proper compo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reverend Benny
jbachandouris said:
$179 from eBay
Click to expand...
The only downside to buying an actual old C64 (or any 1980's era computer) is that the electornics, particularly the capaciters tend to fail. I don't have the technical knowledge, skill set, and tools to detect and repair failed components a motherboard. I've also read many of the power supplies from that era will have components fail for similar reasons.

That's one reason why if you're wanting the nostalgia of owning a C64, a recreation like this may be tempting
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reverend Benny, MarkC426, smirking and 2 others
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back