cocklin@gondor.UUCP (04/09/85)
HiLo,
I may have missed it, but this group seems to be ignoring a new machine
from Commodore. Perhaps it's still being test marketed but I read about
it in the April 1985 issue of Commodore (several other mags mentioned it
and some stores are taking orders for it so I don't think it's an April
fools joke). Briefly, here's what the Commodore Magazine said:
The CBM-128 can select between 40/80 column display depending on the
position of a switch on power-up.
It has three modes of operation:
1) Commodore 64 emulation mode. The mag claims the internal architecture
is the same as the 64. "The BASIC and Kernal ROMS are the same as in
the 64 and both the SID chip and the VIC II chip are present." It goes
on to claim all commercial software for the 64 will run on the 128 in
this mode. (no 80 column screen in this mode though. Shucks!)
2) 128K mode. Still have the sound chip + 128K ram with an extended
version of BASIC running (BASIC v7.0 - commands for graphics, sounds
and a built in monitor with Assembling/Disassembling/Compare mem/
Transfer mem/etc commands).
3) CP/M version 3.0! (Nice to see something other than BASIC come with
a machine :-)). Supposedly it can read CP/M format used on the 64,
but I wouldn't try writing to one.
There was also a new, faster drive (and dual drive version) announced, in
addition to a new monitor to handle the 80 cols (it can switch between 40/80)
- the 1902 (?).
There's more to it (extra hardware in the 128 mode; it's not just a 64 with
128K) but I'm tired of typing. Besides, I want to know if any of you have
heard or seen this machine. The quoted price (below $250) means I may be
dangerously close to buying one (if I can find it). I'd like to hear some
first hand experience first, though.
I'm new to the net, so I won't try to put an address here (although I think
psuvax1!gondor!cocklin or psuvax1!cocklin@gondor.BITNET would work). You
experienced types can pull it from the headers. Any responses may be sent
to me and I'll summarize and post.
- thanx much... Eric
p.s. Anymore "I adore my 64" buttons out there?