The Commodore VIC-20

 

I still want a VIC-20 for some reason!

The VIC-20! That computer was like a forbidden fruit for me. Every Friday, while tagging along with Mom to Sears at Gerrard Square, I’d sneak upstairs to the electronics department with visions of playing games on that colourful machine. Of course, I never got past the demo stage – the sales reps always politely (but firmly) steered me away.

There were a few VIC-20s at school too, though. Even with its simple programming language, it was a blast to mess around with. Looking back, it makes sense – the VIC-20, launched in 1980, was the first colour computer priced under $300. No wonder everyone wanted one! Maybe someday, after I take that electronics course I’ve been thinking about, I can finally add a VIC-20 to my collection and learn how to keep this little powerhouse running and maybe even recreate those thrilling moments from Sears! Imagine having my very own VIC-20, tinkering with the code until it displayed a glorious rainbow across the screen, just like the demo unit. I could delve into those games I only glimpsed for fleeting seconds, finally conquering them and exploring every pixelated world.

There’s something undeniably special about these retro machines. They were more than just entertainment; they were portals to a new way of thinking, a gateway to a world of creativity and possibility. Owning a VIC-20 wouldn’t just be about nostalgia, it would be about recapturing that spark of wonder, that feeling of being on the frontier of something truly transformative.

Sure, the graphics might seem primitive by today’s standards, but back then, they were revolutionary. The VIC-20 wasn’t just a toy; it was a tool that empowered people to learn, create, and connect. That’s the magic I’m hoping to rediscover when I finally get my hands on one. It’ll be a journey down memory lane, for sure, but it might also spark a new kind of adventure – one where I can preserve a piece of computing history and, who knows, maybe even create something new with it.

 

Interesting Facts:

  • The VIC-20 is an 8-bit home computer that was sold by Commodore Business Machines.
  • The Commodore VIC20 was the first color computer that retailed as a “computer for the masses” at less than US$300

Hardware

  • Used a MOS 6502 CPU running at around 1 MHz
  • Had 5KB of RAM (3.5KB available for BASIC programming)
  • Expandable up to 37KB of RAM with expansion cartridges
  • Utilized the MOS VIC video chip for color graphics and sound
  • Included ports for cartridges, cassette tapes, joysticks, and monitors

Graphics/Audio

  • Could display 16 colors with a resolution of 176×184 pixels
  • Had a 22 column by 23 row text display
  • Supported 3 square wave voices and 1 noise channel for audio

Design

  • Compact all-in-one design with built-in keyboard
  • Composite video output required an RF modulator for TV display
  • Went through several case/keyboard revisions during its lifespan

Software

  • Included Commodore BASIC 2.0 in its 20KB ROM
  • Had a library of over 300 games and applications on cartridge/cassette
  • Popular titles included Gorf, Radar Rat Race, Sargon II Chess
  • Users could type in programs from magazines and books

Commercial Performance

  • Sold over 2.5 million units before being discontinued in 1985
  • Was the first computer to sell over 1 million units
  • Initially outsold competitors like the Atari 400/800
  • But was eventually surpassed by Commodore’s own C64

Legacy

  • Established Commodore in the home computer market
  • Demonstrated demand for affordable home computing
  • Paved the way for more powerful 8-bit computers like the C64
  • Maintained an active user community into the 1990s
VIC-20

The First PC to Sell Millions

 

In 1981, Commodore released the VIC-20, a low-cost mass-market home computer that served up great video games and taught a generation of kids how to program. It sold millions of units and inspired a generation of programmers.

As the price of computer components dropped rapidly in the late 1970s, it became inevitable that some company would introduce a popular, low-cost, and user-friendly computer for the masses. That company turned out to be Commodore—and the computer was called the Commodore VIC-20.

The VIC-20 gained its name from its VIC graphics chip (“VIC” being short for “Video Interface Chip”) and the number “20,” because it sounded friendly. From its inception, the VIC-20 served a key strategic purpose: Commodore intended to preempt competition from Japanese computer manufacturers with a low-cost, mass-market machine.

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Did You Know?

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