Commodore One Computer
What is it ?
The Commodore One computer started off as a 2002 enhanced adaptation of the
Commodore 64 -the most sold of any computer model (Guiness book of World Records)
While retaining almost all of the original's capabilities the Commodore One
adds modern features, interfacing and capabilities. The C-One fills a gap in the
hobbyist computer market.
During development, it evolved into a re-configurable computer, a new class of
computers where the chips do not have dedicated tasks any more. The two main chips
carry out different tasks, depending on the needs of the program. The technology
used is called FPGA - field programmable gate arrays. These chips can be programmed
to do the tasks that the chips of the C-64 or other computers have done. It's no
emulation, but it's a re-implementation of the chips that are no longer available
since many years.
The one thing that is not contained in the FPGAs is the main processor - it would take
too much space, resulting in too high cost. To maintain flexibility, the CPU resides on
a card that can be exchanged by the user - as simple as plugging in a PCI card.
After a cold start, the FPGA programs are loaded from a mass-storage device like
harddrive, disk drive or a compact flash card. What's described in one short sentence
is a giant leap in computer technology: The hardware can be altered by the user without
even opening the computer. The FPGA programs - so-called 'cores' - turn the C-One into
clones of famous 80's computers like the C64, VIC-20, plus/4, TI-99/4a, Atari 2600,
Atari 400/800 series, Sinclair Spectrum, ZX81, Schneider CPC and many more. It can of
course also be a completely new computer with specs unknown to these milestones in
computer history.
Homepage:
http://www.c64upgra.de/c-one
Lots of details of this puppy.
http://www.geocities.com/profdredd/commodoreone/cmdrone.html
Linear Mode
