The Commodore 64: A Legacy Forged in Haste and Imperfection
2025-05-03
In 1981, a team at MOS Technology secretly developed the groundbreaking graphics and sound chips for the Commodore 64. Less than a year later, this home computer, boasting a then-unheard-of 64KB of RAM, launched at a disruptive $595, quickly dominating the market. However, its success was built on a foundation of rushed design, quality control issues (the infamous 'sparkle' defect), and a notoriously slow disk drive. Despite these flaws, the Commodore 64's incredibly low price and superior graphics and sound capabilities cemented its legacy as a gaming and computing icon, profoundly shaping the home computer landscape.
Tech
Home Computer