from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
Commodore 64
C64
<computer> (C64) An 8-bit {Commodore Business Machines}
{personal computer} released around September 1981.
Prototypes were (apparently) made before Christmas 1980 (and
shown at some computer fair).
The {CPU} was a {6510} from {MOS Technologies} (who were a
wholly owned subsiduary of Commodore at this time(?)). The
C64 had 64 {kilobytes} of {RAM} as standard and a 40-column
text, 320x200 {pixel} display generating {composite video},
usually connected to a television.
{DMA}-based memory expanders for the C64 (and C128) allowed
128, 256, and 512 kb of RAM. Several third party
manufacturers produce accelerators and RAM expanders for the
C64 and C128. (Some, risking a {holy war}, compare this to
putting a brick on roller-skates). Such accelerators come in
speeds up to 20MHz (20 times the original) and RAM expanders
to 16MB.
The C64's {1541} 5.25 {floppy disk} drive had a {6502}
processor as a {disk controller}.
See also {Commodore 65}.
["Assembly language programming with the Commodore 64", Marvin
L. De Jong].
(1996-06-05)