description Commodore PET 2001 Overview
The Commodore PET 2001 was a pioneering all-in-one personal computer released in 1979. It combined a monitor, keyboard, and cassette storage into a single unit. Powered by an 8-bit MOS Technology 6502 processor, the PET 2001 was notable for being one of the earliest commercially successful desktop computers. It's primarily for educators, students, and early adopters exploring computer programming and basic computing tasks during the late 1970s.
help Commodore PET 2001 FAQ
Why was the Commodore PET 2001 important?
It was one of the influential ready-to-use personal computers introduced in 1977 alongside the Apple II and TRS-80. Its all-in-one enclosure combined a keyboard, monochrome display, computer, and cassette drive.
What processor and memory did the original PET 2001 use?
The PET used the 8-bit MOS Technology 6502 processor at roughly 1 MHz. Early PET 2001 models were sold with 4 KB or 8 KB of RAM, tiny capacities even by later 1980s standards.
Why is the PET 2001 keyboard called a chiclet keyboard?
Its small, calculator-like keys were arranged tightly below the cassette mechanism. Commodore replaced this unpopular design with a larger conventional keyboard on later business-oriented PET models.
Could the Commodore PET display color graphics?
No, the integrated monitor displayed monochrome text and character-based graphics. Programs often created game visuals from PETSCII characters rather than using a dedicated bitmap graphics mode.
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