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Commodore Redux - C64 Replica

Agent Orange

Agent Orange

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Those of you who are Commodore fans out there may be interested in an article in this month's (Aug 2012) MAXIMUMPC, page 60 . Its all about stuffing a Zotac Fusion motherboard into a retro looking C64 case. Quite interesting, but the $860 price tag dampened my enthusiasm. Have fun if you can afford it! :mad:
 
Is that an improved version of the "new" Commodore 64 PC released with much media coverage in 2011? It also had quite a hefty price tag, but perhaps this board actually has the specs to make the price tag worthwhile.
 
carlsson:

Here's what I know, which isn't much - this is all from the magazine . . .

Case C64X www.commadoreusa.net 345.00
PSU/Mobo/CPU/Cooler/GPU Zotac_fusion ION-ITX-T Series www.zotac.com 199.00
RAM Corsair 8GB DDR3/1333 SODIMMs www.corsair.com 44.00
ODD Silverstone SST-50-002 www.silversonetek.com 69.00
HDD Seagate Momentus XT 750GB www.seagate.com 155.00
Misc NZXT IUO1 USB Expansion Module www.nzxt.com 20.00
Molex Y-power splitter www.newegg.com 1.00
Zalman Fan Mate 2 www.zalman.com 7.00

$840.00
 
Ok, so they have reused the case + keyboard from Commodore USA and put in a more powerful system inside. If they could live with using an original C64 breadbox and keyboard (which of course doesn't have quite as many PC related keys as the revised version has), they probably would have shaved off $250 from the total costs, given that a broken C64 plus Keyrah or similar controller should fit well within $95.
 
carlsson said:
Ok, so they have reused the case + keyboard from Commodore USA and put in a more powerful system inside. If they could live with using an original C64 breadbox and keyboard (which of course doesn't have quite as many PC related keys as the revised version has), they probably would have shaved off $250 from the total costs, given that a broken C64 plus Keyrah or similar controller should fit well within $95.
Click to expand...

You may be interested in this MaxPc article: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/quad-core_commodore_64_replica_rolls_view
 
While I suspect that you were being sarcastic, the answer to your question would be a resounding "no" - assuming that you're referring to ORIGINAL C64 peripherals and software. Their "Commodore Vision" OS, available for download on their site the last time that I checked, includes a C-64 emulator mode that will allow you to boot image files and whatnot.
 
I wonder if Apple would allow me to Sell Apple II computers with Windows 7/8 and a PC Motherboard inside. O_O
 
Uh, the barebones is a case and chassis.

So you can build your own computer that looks like it but you'll have a really small space to build in...
 
facattack said:
Uh, the barebones is a case and chassis.

So you can build your own computer that looks like it but you'll have a really small space to build in...
Click to expand...

ZOTAC sort of specializes in mini-ATX mobo's. I have one setting in front of me right now - about 6 5/8" x 6 5/8". It's fully functional with 2 DDR2 slots, on-board video & audio, LAN, SATA, USB, and PS/2. These small boards are just right for the home entertainment crowd who want an unobtrusive little box in order to down-load NetFlix and such (although I have a LG DVR that does exactly that via the Directv setup). So, it's going to appeal to the nostalgic enthusiast who would like to have a retro looking PC which can do much more than the original product. I don't think there's a big market for the product and when it runs its course, you'll probably be able to pick the case up for almost nothing. Just my unqualified observation.
 
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Thanks for the link, but it is from November 3, 2011 and seems to describe one of the original Commodore USA models. Unless I misunderstood you, this latest machine only takes the case from Commodore USA and then stuffs even more powerful components inside. Like I wrote, if a custom builder has some electronics and Dremel skills, they can achieve a similar build from a (preferrably broken) vintage computer shell and save about $250 in the process, perhaps even more.
 
carlsson said:
Thanks for the link, but it is from November 3, 2011 and seems to describe one of the original Commodore USA models. Unless I misunderstood you, this latest machine only takes the case from Commodore USA and then stuffs even more powerful components inside. Like I wrote, if a custom builder has some electronics and Dremel skills, they can achieve a similar build from a (preferrably broken) vintage computer shell and save about $250 in the process, perhaps even more.
Click to expand...

Check your PM
 
Commodore USA are hucksters who price ridiculously and have been nothing but assholes to the actual Amiga community. Please, for the sake of actual Commodore fans, don't support them.
 
MikeS said:
Gonna punch him in the nose? ;-)

It is pretty old news though, and BTW, it's www.commOdoreusa.net, not commAdoreusa...

Sorry, couldn't help myself...
Click to expand...

The MaximumPC build is new and that's what this is all about. I have no idea how long the C64x project case has been around. If you want a PDF of the project, PM me an email address.

P.S.

The answer is no, I'm out of the fight game for the summer. lol
 
Still, I've heard people think Commodore USA are a bunch of nice fellows compared to e.g. the "new" Atari. I suppose there are degrees in Hell.

Anyway, I still have two almost empty cases which used to host Commodore 4040 and 8050 dual floppy drives. Some day I'll investigate how much of a modern PC I can stuff inside. I suppose it will be a maximum build as well if I can be bothered. Those cases though take a fair bit of desk space. Perhaps I can put one below my laser printer in order to save space if I go ahead with building a computer out of it.
 
I'll admit to having purchased a C64x barebones, which I detailed in another thread.
Nice product, but the company seemed to be an amateur outfit in terms of communication.

I wanted to build a semi-portable PC that can be used as a living room media server, and in the computer room as a workstation.

I might use this as a guide, as I needed to make sure I had a good spec to go on for a low profile mobo with a power outlet.

Other than the C64, it would be nice to see a compact Mac case as an ATX case or tablet holder, as some modders have done. Unlikely Apple would authorise such a product, but with 3D printers becoming more accessible... ;)
 
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