Commodore SX-64 (240V UK) - RTO

 Home > Browse Our Collection > XX - REMOVED FROM COL ... DLING COLLECTION - XX > Commodore SX-64 (240V UK) - RTO
 

The Commodore SX-64, also known as the Executive 64, or VIP-64 in Europe, was a portable, briefcase/suitcase-size "luggable" version of the popular Commodore 64 home computer and holds the distinction of being the first full-colour portable computer.

The SX-64 featured a built-in five-inch composite monitor and a built-in 1541 floppy drive. It weighed 23 lb (10.5 kg). The machine was carried by its sturdy handle, which doubled as an adjustable stand. It was announced in January 1983 and released a year later, at $995.

Aside from its built-in features and different form factor, there were several other subtle differences between the SX-64 and the regular C64. The default screen colour was changed to blue text on a white background for improved readability on the smaller screen.

This sometimes caused compatibility problems with programs that assumed the C64's default blue background. (This was, however, often easily overcome by the user simply entering the appropriate BASIC POKE commands to change screen colours and keystroke to change the cursor colour to mimic the C64's default colours prior to loading of the program.) The default device for load and save operations was changed to the floppy drive.

In addition, the cassette port and RF port were omitted from the SX-64 because it had a built-in disk drive and monitor, and thus no need for a tape drive or television connector. However, the omission made it impossible to use a standard C64 Centronics parallel printer interface without modification, since these interfaces used a connector on the cassette port to get +5V for operation.

There were also subtle differences in the cartridge port, both electrically and in regards to its physical placement on the board, which made compatibility with certain C64 cartridges spotty.

Our unit has a serial number of GA6007950

Manufacturer: Commodore
Date: 1983



Comment on This Page

Magazines RELATED to Commodore SX-64 (240V UK) - RTO in our Library

Item Manufacturer Date
Commodore Computing International - March 1984 Nick Hampshire 1984
Commodore User - May 1984 May 1984

Other Systems Related To Commodore SX-64 (240V UK) - RTO:

Item Manufacturer Date
Commodore PET 3016 Commodore 1977
Commodore PET 2001 Commodore June 1977
Commodore PET 2001 (Blue Label) Commodore June 1977
Commodore PET 2001-32N Commodore June 1978
Commodore PET CBM 3008 Commodore 1979
Commodore PET 3032 Commodore 1979
Commodore PET 8032SK Commodore 1980
Commodore Pet 4032-32N Commodore May 1980
Commodore PET 4008 Commodore May 1980
Commodore SuperPet (SP9000) Commodore 1981
Commodore PET 8096SK Commodore 1981
Commodore VIC-20 Commodore 1981
Commodore VC-20 Commodore 1981
Commodore VIC-20 Commodore 1981
Commodore Pet 8032-32B Commodore 1982
Commodore 64 Commodore August 1982
Commodore PET 8296-D Commodore 1983
Commodore SX-64 (110v US) Commodore 1983
Commodore SX-64 (240V UK) Commodore 1983
Commodore 16 Commodore June 1984
Commodore Plus 4 Commodore June 1984
Commodore 128 Commodore January 1985
Commodore Amiga 1000 Commodore 23rd July 1985
Commodore 128D Commodore December 1985
Commodore Amiga A2000 Commodore 1987
Commodore Amiga A500 Class of the 90s Pack Commodore 1987
Commodore PC-I Commodore 1987
Commodore 64 C German Commodore March 1987
Commodore 64 C Hollywood Presents Pack Commodore March 1987
Commodore 64 C Commodore March 1987
Commodore 64 C Terminator 2 Pack Commodore March 1987
Commodore Amiga A500 Plus Commodore April 1987
Commodore 64 C Light Fantastic Pack Commodore March 1989
Commodore Amiga 1500 Commodore 1990
Commodore C286-LT Portable Commodore 1990
Commodore Amiga 1500 (PC Card Configuration) Commodore 1990
Commodore C386SX-LT Commodore 1991
Commodore Amiga A600HD Commodore 1992
Commodore Amiga A600 Commodore March 1992
Commodore Amiga 4000 Commodore October 1992
Commodore Amiga 1200 Commodore 21st October 1992
Commodore Amiga 1200 Commodore 21st October 1992
Commodore Amiga CD32 Commodore September 1993

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH226. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

 

Commodore SX-64 (240V UK) - RTO


Click on the Image(s) For Detail


Articles

Help support the museum by buying from the museum shop

View all items

Founding Sponsors
redgate Google ARM Real VNC Microsoft Research
Heritage Lottery Funded
Heritage Lottery Fund
Accredited Museum