Tech icon returns after 30 years

The Commodore 64 has officially been re-opened for sale after more than 3 decades of waiting, with a strong hardware upgrade to match the current standard configuration.

Commodore 64 is officially back with a heavily upgraded hardware version. Photo: Commodore International Corporation .

The Commodore 64, the personal computer that made waves in the 1980s, is back in a modern version called the Commodore 64 Ultimate. Now available for pre-order, it retains the classic design but has upgraded hardware to suit today's needs.

Although no longer run by the original founding team, Commodore Corp. says the new console remains true to the C64 legacy. The company says the Commodore 64 Ultimate is compatible with more than 10,000 classic games, cartridges, and peripherals. It is expected to ship as early as October.

The new version has significantly upgraded configurations compared to the previous generation, including 128 MB of RAM, 16 MB of flash memory, HDMI output supporting 1080p resolution, three USB-A ports and one USB-C port. With a starting price of $ 299 , buyers will receive the computer, power supply, HDMI cable, manual, 64 GB USB drive containing more than 50 licensed games and some accompanying accessories.

Commodore offers three appearance options. In addition to the classic beige version, the company also sells a Starlight version for $249 and a top-of-the-line Founder's Edition with a transparent amber case, 24K gold-plated badge and satin gold-tone keys, limited to 6,400 units worldwide for $499 .

While there have been plenty of C64 emulators before, this is the first time an official Commodore product has returned to the market in over three decades. However, pre-ordering requires immediate payment and an additional $15–$25 tax, which may vary depending on current tax policies.

One notable point is that ownership of the Commodore brand is still in transition. Retro tech YouTuber Christian “Peri Fractic” Simpson claims to have signed an agreement to buy the company for a “seven-figure investment.” However, the deal is not yet complete as it needs to raise more capital from angel investors.

In response to consumer concerns, the company said it has signed a contract with the current IP owner, ensuring the product is manufactured and delivered as promised.

The original Commodore 64 was released in 1982 and became one of the best-selling personal computers of all time. Now, with the new version, users will have the opportunity to re-access classic games such as MULE, Wizard and The Last Ninja.

Source: https://znews.vn/bieu-tuong-cong-nghe-mot-thoi-tro-lai-sau-30-nam-post1570266.html