schneids@ssc-vax.UUCP (Jim Schneidewind) (09/23/83)
CP/M for the Commodore 64 is available from (not affiliated):
Estes Engineering, Inc.
825 N 5th St.
Salina, Kansas 67401
Ph: 913-827-0629
Run all CP/M formatted software.
Supports 5-1/4" or 8" disk drives.
Z-80, disk and DMA controller on interface card.
Plugs into the C-64 expansion port.
Uses soft sectored IBM 5-1/4" and 8" format disk drives.
Interface card with 8" disk drive...............$599.
Interface card with 5-1/4" disk drive...........$499.
Interface card without disk drive...............$349.
It seems damn expensive to me!! Before you run out and buy one,
I think Commodore is (finally!!) coming out with their CP/M. I think
it will be MUCH cheaper.
Schneids
ssc-vax!schneidsmark@cbosgd.UUCP (Mark Horton) (09/26/83)
We just got our Service Merchandise catalog the other day, and it lists Commodore CP/M Programming Aid Cartridge. List $59.95, SM price $54.73. The picture shows a cardboard box about 1 inch by 6 inches by 8 inches. It has some other interesting things that apparently haven't hit the stores yet. The Atari 800XL lists for $299, SM $247.86. Atari 600XL lists for $199, SM $139.73. It also has information on the Colecovision Adam (available 10/15/83): "Turns ColecoVision into a complete computer system. Memory console with solid state RAM and magnetic digital data pack drive. [Is this somehow different than a floppy disk drive?] 80K RAM built-in (expandable to 144K). Digital data pack drive stores up to 500K bytes. SmartWriter built-in microprocessor interfaces with memory console and keyboard. Bi-directional printing at 120 lines per minute. Uses 96-character daisy wheels. Includes built-in Applesoft BASIC. Plays all ColecoVision games. list $499.95, SM $437.77. Coleco Blank Data Packs. list $14.95, SM $12.82." A comparison chart shows the ADAM screen is 36x24 chars and has color. It hooks to your TV set and no monitor connection is possible. No voice synthesizer is available. Comes with printer and disk. ROM is 40K (!) The picture shows the ColecoVision itself, the main unit (looks like a box with dual floppies), the keyboard (looks like a Cherry, with full ASCII, reasonable layout, 4 arrow keys plus home, 11 special keys ala insert, delete; 6 keys labelled I,II,III,IV,V,VI (only strange thing is the key where ESC should be looks like a :; key, even though the keyboard is a typewriter layout and :; is where it should be), printer looks like regular impact printer but no visible buttons or lights. The caption next to the ColecoVision says "ColecoVision game Model 2400 included with ADAM computer module system". Another caption next to the controllers says "Hand controllers included with ColecoVision model 2400". The fine print confirms the game unit is model 2400 (Adam is 2404), but the descriptions sound like you have to buy the ColecoVision at list $179.95 (SM 139.72) as well as ADAM, unless you already have ColecoVision. Can anyone confirm whether ADAM includes the 2400, or if this is a mistake? I assume ADAM is Z80 based - does anyone know if it's compatible with anything, e.g. does it come with CP/M?
porter@inuxd.UUCP (09/27/83)
The Commodore CP/M Cartridge for the 64 is available here in Indianapolis for $59 from Service Merchandise. No, I haven't played with it yet, but I seriously doubt that it will be able to read IBM formated 5-1/4" disks in the 1541 drive. That's what you are paying the big bucks for with the other CP/M system. If anyone knows anything more about the Commodore CP/M Cartridge, fill me in. Jeff Porter (inuxd!porter) AT&T Consumer Products Indianapolis