407:
399:
27:
415:
530:, was announced, but the press reported by early 1985 that plans for its release had been suspended. A few have been reported to exist , but it is very rare. Instead of an extra floppy drive, a modem could also be built in above the first drive. Some hobbyists installed a second floppy drive themselves in the SX-64's empty drive slot. Later models of the SX-64 use the larger power supply intended for use with the DX-64.
511:, are said to work more reliably with the SX-64 than the 1764 unit that was intended for the regular C64. Some SX-64 owners modify Commodore REUs to use an external power supply in order to get around the power supply issues. IDE64 is also non-compatible at the present time. When it is powered up, the screen sends out the C64 breadbin "blue" background with the typical
131:
599:
favorably reviewed the SX-64, stating that the keyboard was better than the 64's, the monitor "isn't hard to read at all", and the disk drive was durable enough for travel. While criticizing the lack of any provision for internal or external battery power, the magazine concluded that the average $
577:
The exact number of SX-64 sold from 1984 to 1986, when it was discontinued, is unknown. The serial numbers of over 130 SX-64s from series GA1, GA2, GA4, GA5 and GA6, with serial numbers ranging over 49,000 for series GA1, 1,000 for GA2, 17,000 for GA4, 11,000 for GA5, and 7,000 for GA6 have been
491:
parallel printer interfaces, since several popular designs "borrowed" their +5V power supply from the port. This was not an issue for later interfaces which were supplied with an AC adapter power supply, or those which can use the +5V line supplied by the
Centronics port (Pin #18) on the printer
475:
Aside from its built-in features and different form factor, there are several other differences between the SX-64 and the regular C64. The default screen color is changed to blue text on a white background for improved readability on the smaller screen. This can cause compatibility problems with
585:
situation similar to that endured by
Osborne after announcing an improved version of its computer. The SX-64 did however gain a following with user groups and software developers, who could quickly pack and unpack the machine to use for copying software or giving demonstrations.
495:
The audio/video port is still present, so an external monitor can still be used; it displays the same content as the built-in monitor. Differences, electrically and in placement on the board, means that there are compatibility problems with some C64 cartridges.
545:
The SX-64 did not sell well, and its failure has been variously attributed to its small screen, excessive weight (10.5 kg or 23.1 lb), poor marketing, and smaller business software library than that of its competitors, which included the
506:
varies. Early SX-64 power supplies cannot handle the extra power consumption from the REU. The physical placement of the cartridge port can prevent the REU from seating properly. The 1700 and 1750, 128K and 512K units intended for the
463:). The machine is carried by its sturdy handle, which doubles as an adjustable stand. It was announced in January 1983 and released eleven months later in December 1983, at $ 995
1157:
1152:
1147:
1142:
1137:
1214:
712:
Extra features: Floppy disk storage compartment above disk drive which could be used to build in an extra floppy drive or compatible sized modem
581:
Some would-be buyers waited instead for the announced DX-64, which never became widely available due to the slow sales of the SX-64, creating a
770:" also said that the SX-64 computer, a $ 995 portable version of the Commodore 64 with built-in color monitor, has been a sellout everywhere."
654:
Cartridge port: Placed on top of CPU unit, w/spring-loaded fold-in lid, cartridges inserted vertically (vs horizontally into back of C64)
476:
programs that assume the C64's default blue background. The default device for load and save operations is changed to the floppy drive.
867:
900:
91:
837:
483:
port were omitted from the SX-64. Because it has a built-in disk drive and monitor, Commodore did not perceive a need for a
63:
862:
219:
786:
689:
Non-standard 25-pin keyboard connector below right side of front panel. The connectors are similar but not identical to
70:
418:
Two
Commodore SX-64 computers showing their SX-64 BASIC 2.0 startup screens. (Note the white screen background color.)
110:
44:
1078:
77:
533:
At around the same time the SX-64 was announced in
January 1983, a version with a monochrome screen called the
48:
909:
492:
itself, if the printer implements it. Alternatively, a +5V supply is also available from the joystick ports.
359:
59:
364:
1204:
893:
275:
955:
487:
or television connector. However, the lack of a
Datasette port poses a problem for a number of C64
821:
205:
37:
886:
229:
1209:
965:
753:
729:
298:
263:
84:
464:
245:
8:
331:
210:
292:
761:
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431:
310:
141:
130:
975:
935:
878:
645:
582:
280:
252:
185:
834:
917:
841:
709:
Power supply: Internal unit with transformer and rectifiers (vs external C64 PSU)
641:
563:
499:
The original SX-64's (built in) power supply limits the machine's expandability.
318:
196:
1121:
1116:
1111:
1106:
1101:
1096:
1048:
1023:
857:
690:
630:
449:
355:
813:
760:. Vol. 6, no. 6. Menlo Park, CA: Popular Computing. pp. 11–12.
1198:
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1173:
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980:
930:
765:
660:
508:
503:
438:
406:
389:
352:
343:
314:
537:
was announced. Despite releasing plans by June 1983, it was never released.
1183:
1038:
970:
950:
701:
683:
609:
480:
435:
398:
1068:
1043:
945:
625:
452:
448:
The SX-64 features a built-in five-inch composite monitor and a built-in
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1013:
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998:
676:
488:
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1003:
697:
555:
551:
547:
740:
26:
619:
334:
305:
242:
414:
347:
672:
Cartridge Port (beneath two spring-loaded flaps on the case top)
940:
571:
567:
368:
192:
872:
990:
925:
723:
595:
526:
A version of the SX-64 with dual floppy drives, known as the
434:, briefcase/suitcase-size "luggable" version of the popular
559:
651:
Keyboard: Separate unit, connected by cord to CPU unit
700:
AC power connector (vs C64 DIN plug to "power brick"
908:
51:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
745:
1196:
734:
780:
778:
776:
600:750–800 retail price was "worth every penny!".
339:
754:"Commodore introduces new family of computers"
894:
875:Preserving original C64 hardware and software
693:connectors and notoriously hard to find today
16:Portable version of the Commodore 64 computer
784:
773:
901:
887:
805:
402:Housing with keyboard locked on, standing
111:Learn how and when to remove this message
612:, except for the following differences:
603:
413:
405:
397:
172:(1984) equivalent to $ 2,900 in 2023
824:from the original on December 21, 2021.
1215:Computer-related introductions in 1983
1197:
882:
863:SX-64 schematics (PDF format, zipped)
467:(equivalent to $ 2,918 in 2023).
751:
49:adding citations to reliable sources
20:
13:
479:The Datasette (cassette) port and
14:
1226:
851:
812:Crane, David (January 21, 1985).
785:Benford, Tom (February 1, 1985).
741:Commodore SX-64 portable computer
910:List of Commodore microcomputers
752:Mace, Scott (February 6, 1984).
129:
25:
629:drive (internal version of the
36:needs additional citations for
828:
470:
1:
716:
502:Compatibility with Commodore
589:
515:, and immediately under the
430:, or VIP-64 in Europe, is a
7:
868:Commodore SX-64 Paper Model
636:Built-in display: 5" inch (
153:; 40 years ago
10:
1231:
666:Video out connector (rear)
540:
1166:
1131:IBM PC compatible laptops
1130:
1077:
989:
916:
873:Disk Preservation Project
787:"SX-64 Portable Computer"
384:
374:
325:
288:
259:
236:
204:
184:
176:
165:
147:
137:
128:
730:Commodore SX-64 Portable
818:The Computer Chronicles
840:June 15, 2006, at the
661:Serial "488" interface
519:prompt a statement of
513:38911 BASIC BYTES FREE
419:
411:
403:
858:SX-64 Serial register
696:Standard three-prong
604:Technical information
417:
409:
401:
441:and the first color
426:, also known as the
45:improve this article
814:"Ghostbusters demo"
504:RAM Expansion Units
211:MOS Technology 6510
125:
1205:Portable computers
1158:Pentium Ultramedia
1079:IBM PC compatibles
616:Built-in storage:
420:
412:
404:
166:Introductory price
151:December 1983
123:
1192:
1191:
455:drive. It weighs
443:portable computer
396:
395:
142:Portable computer
121:
120:
113:
95:
60:"Commodore SX-64"
1222:
956:C64 Games System
903:
896:
889:
880:
879:
845:
832:
826:
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809:
803:
802:
800:
798:
793:. pp. 37–38
782:
771:
769:
749:
743:
738:
732:
727:
669:User Port (rear)
657:I/O connectors:
639:
628:
622:
522:
518:
514:
462:
458:
392:
380:
362:
337:
308:
301:
283:
281:raster interrupt
273:
269:
255:
248:
227:
217:
200:
186:Operating system
171:
161:
159:
154:
133:
126:
122:
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109:
105:
102:
96:
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53:
29:
21:
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1229:
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1219:
1195:
1194:
1193:
1188:
1162:
1126:
1073:
985:
912:
907:
854:
849:
848:
842:Wayback Machine
833:
829:
811:
810:
806:
796:
794:
783:
774:
750:
746:
739:
735:
728:
724:
719:
686:& connector
644:color monitor (
637:
623:
617:
606:
592:
564:Compaq Portable
543:
520:
516:
512:
473:
460:
456:
424:Commodore SX-64
388:
378:
351:
329:
303:
296:
279:
271:
267:
250:
240:
225:
223:
215:
213:
197:Commodore BASIC
195:
190:
169:
157:
155:
152:
124:Commodore SX-64
117:
106:
100:
97:
54:
52:
42:
30:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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914:
913:
906:
905:
898:
891:
883:
877:
876:
870:
865:
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853:
852:External links
850:
847:
846:
827:
804:
772:
744:
733:
721:
720:
718:
715:
714:
713:
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694:
691:D-subminiature
687:
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673:
670:
667:
664:
655:
652:
649:
634:
631:Commodore 1541
605:
602:
591:
588:
542:
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523:is displayed.
472:
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6:
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3:
2:
1227:
1216:
1213:
1211:
1208:
1206:
1203:
1202:
1200:
1185:
1182:
1180:
1179:Commodore 900
1177:
1175:
1174:Commodore LCD
1172:
1171:
1169:
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1159:
1156:
1154:
1151:
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1015:
1012:
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1007:
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1002:
1000:
997:
996:
994:
992:
988:
982:
981:Commodore 128
979:
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967:
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959:
957:
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952:
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531:
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510:
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500:
497:
493:
490:
486:
482:
477:
468:
466:
454:
451:
446:
444:
440:
439:home computer
437:
433:
429:
425:
416:
408:
400:
391:
390:Commodore LCD
387:
383:
377:
373:
370:
366:
361:
357:
354:
349:
345:
344:ROM cartridge
341:
336:
333:
328:
324:
320:
316:
312:
307:
300:
294:
291:
287:
282:
277:
265:
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115:
112:
104:
93:
90:
86:
83:
79:
76:
72:
69:
65:
62: –
61:
57:
56:Find sources:
50:
46:
40:
39:
34:This article
32:
28:
23:
22:
19:
1210:Commodore 64
1184:Commodore 65
971:Commodore 16
960:
951:Commodore 64
830:
817:
807:
795:. Retrieved
790:
757:
747:
736:
725:
684:RF modulator
610:Commodore 64
607:
594:
593:
580:
576:
544:
534:
532:
527:
525:
501:
498:
494:
478:
474:
447:
436:Commodore 64
428:Executive 64
427:
423:
421:
346:(modified),
326:Connectivity
177:Discontinued
148:Release date
107:
98:
88:
81:
74:
67:
55:
43:Please help
38:verification
35:
18:
966:Educator 64
946:MAX Machine
844:at SX64.net
797:October 15,
626:floppy disk
471:Description
375:Predecessor
1199:Categories
1167:Prototypes
717:References
677:Datassette
489:Centronics
485:tape drive
191:Commodore
101:April 2023
71:newspapers
1153:486SX-LTF
1148:486SX-LTC
766:0199-6649
758:InfoWorld
679:interface
642:composite
608:Like the
590:Reception
578:reported
556:Zilog Z80
552:Kaypro II
548:Osborne 1
385:Successor
272:16 colors
268:320 x 200
226:0.985 MHz
1143:386SX-LT
1049:500 Plus
838:Archived
835:database
822:Archived
583:Catch 22
562:OS) and
432:portable
335:Joystick
332:CIA 6526
293:SID 6581
260:Graphics
232:version)
222:version)
216:1.02 MHz
820:. PBS.
698:IEC C14
541:History
457:10.5 kg
360:Printer
353:CBM-488
276:sprites
170:US$ 995
158:1983-12
156: (
85:scholar
1039:3000UX
976:Plus/4
941:VIC-20
936:CBM-II
764:
663:(rear)
638:127 mm
572:MS-DOS
568:16-bit
535:SX-100
453:floppy
369:RS-232
356:Floppy
311:Filter
264:VIC-II
251:20 KB
237:Memory
193:KERNAL
87:
80:
73:
66:
58:
1138:286LT
1069:4000T
1044:3000T
991:Amiga
926:KIM-1
918:8-bit
791:Ahoy!
596:Ahoy!
570:CPU,
558:CPU,
528:DX-64
517:READY
461:23 lb
340:Power
289:Sound
92:JSTOR
78:books
1122:PC60
1117:PC50
1112:PC40
1107:PC30
1102:PC20
1097:PC10
1064:4000
1059:1200
1034:3000
1029:CD32
1024:CDTV
1019:1500
1014:2500
1009:2000
999:1000
961:SX64
799:2013
762:ISSN
624:5¼"
618:170
560:CP/M
550:and
509:C128
450:1541
422:The
410:Rear
379:None
365:GPIO
319:Ring
315:ADSR
306:Wave
220:NTSC
180:1986
138:Type
64:news
1092:PC5
1087:PC1
1054:600
1004:500
931:PET
702:PSU
682:No
675:No
646:CRT
574:).
521:RAM
465:USD
348:A/V
330:2x
304:4x
299:Osc
297:3x
253:ROM
246:RAM
241:64
230:PAL
206:CPU
199:2.0
47:by
1201::
816:.
789:.
775:^
756:.
640:)
620:KB
481:RF
445:.
363:,
350:,
342:,
338:,
317:,
313:,
309:,
302:,
278:,
274:,
270:,
249:+
243:KB
224:@
214:@
902:e
895:t
888:v
801:.
768:.
704:)
648:)
633:)
566:(
554:(
459:(
367:/
358:/
321:)
295:(
284:)
266:(
228:(
218:(
160:)
114:)
108:(
103:)
99:(
89:·
82:·
75:·
68:·
41:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
