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Commodore 128

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description Commodore 128 Overview

The Commodore 128 was a popular home computer released in 1985. It offered significant improvements over its predecessor, the C64, including dual floppy disk drives for expanded storage and expandable RAM up to 256KB. This made it suitable for more complex programming and gaming experiences. The system catered primarily to hobbyists, programmers, and gamers seeking greater capabilities within the burgeoning home computing market of the 1980s.

help Commodore 128 FAQ

Could the Commodore 128 really run Commodore 64 software?

Yes, the Commodore 128 included a dedicated Commodore 64 mode and was compatible with a large share of C64 software. That backward compatibility was one of its major selling points after its 1985 release.

Why did the Commodore 128 have three operating modes?

The C128 could run in native 128 mode, Commodore 64 mode, and CP/M mode using its Z80 processor. That made it more flexible than the C64, although most home users still spent much of their time in C64 mode.

What was the difference between the Commodore 128 and the C128D?

The Commodore 128 was the original keyboard-style model, while the C128D put the computer in a desktop case with a built-in 1571 disk drive. The C128D also gave it a more businesslike form factor compared with the all-in-one keyboard design.

Was the Commodore 128 more powerful than the Commodore 64?

Yes, it shipped with 128 KB of RAM, an 80-column display mode, and a faster native mode than the C64. The catch was that the huge C64 game library kept many users from relying on the C128's newer features.

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