ScuzzBlog: Diaries August 2023 Entry 11th August 2023: Post 1: Commodore VIC 20 - Back to the very beginning. Commodore VIC 20 - Back to the very beginning. I conclude my little revue of computer retro cases with the computer that started everything for me, home computing wise. The VIC 20. Up until 1981 I had been use to a world of pen and paper and games on boards fuelled by imagination. All that changed in 1981 with the VIC 20. This little beauty opened the door into a world that I could have only dreamed of before.Sadly for me although I saved all my pennies the VIC 20 never actually made it here until much later. But, the fire had been lit and although I took a different path through my computer interest the spark that the VIC 20 lit was to power a passion that I have never really ever controlled. When I look at the VIC 20 or the case today the VC 20 I am reminded of the Commodore PET. No surprising given they were born from the same house. Those chunky clunky keys set against the light background just scream out like the baby sister to its bigger brother. Yet she has her own personality and even after some forty years still looks mean, clean and ready for action. For me the VIC 20 is a classic machine that defines the dawn of the true home computing era. I appreciate that there were earlier more passion driven beasts, but the VIC 20 was an off the shelf, consumer product aimed for the family. It provided a system that was ready to go from the moment you switched on. It is odd that this computer gave way in what was a relatively short time to another product that became a giant for Commodore. She spawned a plethora of support items that formed the core of all that was to come. She may not have been the super computer that the C64 became but all that we were about to experience was a consequence of the early development of this computer. So for my part my gut reaction desire was correct but sadly life has a habit of throwing you a curved ball that has the power to change everything. I never did enjoy the VIC 20 the first time around, but I sure made amends when I eventually got one. The cases on the VIC 20 can go yellow sadly. They also yellow more so at the edges to the plastic. The VC 20 varies from the VIC 20 with the power connector and function key colours. I have no real preference as to which is best. I do keep my best'est VIC 20 machines in very safe storage only to be taken out on special occasions. This wasn't such an occasion so I show some older images of one of my most treasured in action. You cannot move in this house without tripping up on a VIC 20. They are atop stacks of books. Prop up towers of DVD collections. Even act as a mini table for my drawing pad and pencil. They are everywhere. Making sure she never becomes 'the one that got away'. Amazing bit of kit. Commodore VIC 20 - Back to the very beginning.

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Last updated 11th August 2023

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