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COMMODORE SX-64 - the
first portable color computer
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 It's
one of the most sought-after items among collectors of vintage
home and game computers: the Commodore SX-64. Yes, it's a
phenomenon: the Commodore 64, the most popular home computer
ever, in a portable shape, including built-in color screen. And
it is a rare item. Of the common Commodore 64 more then 20
million units were sold, but the SX-64 didn't pass the 9000.
Although at first sight it are two
totally different computers, the SX-64 performed exactly the
same as the C64. The metal case of the SX-64 contained with a
few exceptions the same parts. Even all C64-cartridges could be
used, by means of a gap in the top of the SX-64. |
5 Inch color screen
The vintage
computer fan gets immediately excited when the front of the SX is
lifted: the front turns out to be the keyboard. Then he is pleasantly
surprised by the 5-inch color screen at the left in the computer itself.
A color monitor, 5 inch, from 1983! At the right under a tiny cover
there are five buttons, among others to adjust the brightness of the
screen and the volume of the built-in speaker. In between is a built-in
floppy drive, yes, a real Commodore 64. Above the drive there is storage
compartment, apparently to store floppies, although that doesn't seem a
good idea next to a monitor.
 Not
for game fanatics
On the front of this beautiful machine (that means at the other
side of the keyboard) is written: 'Executive computer'. So not
meant for the game fanatics: They were better served by the
common Commodore 64 connected to a bigger monitor or a TV.
But even if the SX-64 was only used for administrative purposes
the 5-inch screen causes trouble for the eyes. That is one of
the reasons for the poor sales figures, although the SX-64 could
be connected to a normal monitor. But who wants to buy a
portable that he needs to connect to another screen? |
Athletic
And there are other things that can be said against the term 'portable'.
As much as 24 pounds (10 kilo) weighs the SX-64. A German computer
critic wrote in 1984 that the handy handle made carrying the SX the
first kilometres a piece of cake. Was he a well trained athletic, this
critic? Or do I have to train more...?
Further doubts on the term portable were cast by the fact that the SX-64
had to stand next to a socket, because it didn't contain a battery.
All this, combined with the price of approximately $1000, held the SX-64
far away from the successes the Commodore 64 achieved. The
manufacturing, started in 1983, was discontinued in 1986.
SX-100 and
DX-64
De SX was for the first time presented at the Consumer Electronics Show
in the United States in January 1983. At that moment still under another
name, the SX-100, that contained a black-and-white screen instead of a
colour screen. But the SX-100 was never manufactured and the idea was
replaced by the SX-64. Besides the SX there also exists a DX-64: a model
with two floppy drives (for which the storage compartment was
sacrificed). But the DX-64 was manufactured in very small amounts, and
is thus much, much rarer then the SX!
Specifications of the Commodore SX-64
|
Manufacturer |
Commodore |
|
Period |
1983 - 1986 |
| CPU |
MOS
6510 |
|
Frequency |
1
MHz |
| ROM |
20
KB (8 for Basic V2.0, 8 for Kernel and 4 for character set) |
| RAM |
64
KB (38KB available under Basic) |
|
Text mode |
40
x 24 |
|
Graphical mode |
Vic-II 6569 chip
resolutions 320x200 of 160x200 |
|
Colors |
16 |
|
Sound |
6581 Sid chip with 3 channels
built-in speaker |
| I/O |
user port, cartridge slot, 2 joystick ports, monitor, serial
port |
|
Price |
Approx. 1000 dollar (May 1983) |
Article from computermuseum.50megs.com |