ScuzzBlog: Diaries April 2018
Entry 22nd April 2018: Post: 3
Commodore C128D and not cost reduced
OK decided to put the new tripod to the test. I needed to check
the power plug to the monitor of the C128D given that I had been
using it on the two prong Euro on the SONY minidisc. Anyway all
was fine and the photographic session was a good clean run.
This computer is so much better manufactured than the Amiga 1000.
The unit is way better put together and is sturdy and has some
very clean and coordinated lines. Interesting that there are so
many similarities to the case design of the Amiga 1000 and yet
for me these features are better executed on the C128D.
There were two distinct versions of this machine. The metal cost
reduced version was an attempt to add shielding so the computer
could meet USA regulations. A number of other variations were
made however that unit is not what is shown here.
The computer appears to have been designed to travel about given
that it has a carry handle, cable tidy and clip in keyboard. Be
very careful with those cable ties cus this computer is made of
plastic and are likely to get bust off.
The 1571 internal drive is very sturdy and reliable, though for
me for the day would have been better suited with the 1581 and
simply added the 1571 as an external drive. This computer is a
great machine but really represents the end of the line for the
old Commodore range and must have been sick with envy at the
Amiga burning up the popularity ratings. Shame really.
Main Specification:
C128D made by Commodore in the USA 1985 onwards
Built in language was BASIC and uses the 8502 plus ZilogZ80
Co-processors provided by the SID, VDC and VIC-II
RAM was 128KB with 16KB VRAM and 48KB ROM
Text mode is 40 or 80 chars x 25 lines
There were several graphic modes and colours 16
The unit has a built 5.25" in the form of a 1571
Power comes off the tea-kettle lead to an internal PSU
Has its own full QWERTY mechanical keyboard which vary depending on being
European or American/British. I sense my units were all made in Germany.
Details from the mighty Zimmer List Go visit
CPU: CSG 8502, Z-80, and 6502
1 or 2 Mhz clock speed with 8502.
Z-80 running at ~3 Mhz
6502 co-processor for drive
RAM: 128 kilobytes
ROM: MANY kilobytes
C128D Basic 7.0
Download the LO BASIC Rom
Download the HIGH BASIC Rom
C128D Kernal/Basic 2.0
Download the Kernal Rom
C128 Character ROM
Download the Rom
MOS 8721 PLA
Download PLA info
Z80 BIOS
Download BIOS Rom
Video: MOS 8564 "VIC-II", MOS 8563 CTRC
Text mode 1: 40 columns text
Text mode 2: 80 columns text
Palette of 16 colors.
Hires modes: 320 x 200, 640 X 200
Sound: MOS 8580 "SID"
3 voice stereo synthesizer/digital sound capabilities
Ports: MOS 6526 CIA x2
2 Joystick/Mouse ports
Round female DIN CBM Serial port
Male edge-connector CBM Datasette port
Male edge-connector parallel programmable "User" port
Round DIN CBM Monitor port
RCA-Style RF Audio/Video port
Female edge-connector C64 expansion port
Warm reset switch
Keyboard port
Power plug and switch
Keyboard: Full-sized 93 key QWERTY
14 key numeric keypad
8 programmable function keys + HELP
4 direction 4-key cursor-pad
Other Hardware: Internal 1571 disk drive
Double sided/Double Density 360k
Capable of reading GCR and MFM formats
Thanks Bo.
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