Commodore to Launch Gaming PCs in U.S.
July 10, 2007 | by Geoff Duncan
They're back! Commodore Gaming has announced plans to launch four gaming PCs in the U.S., marking the return of one of computing's original brands.
It's almost a measure of how long someone has been using computers: how the person reacts on hearing the name "Commodore." Many of today's computing professionals cut their teeth on Commodore's C64—which remains the best-selling personal computer of all time—and the company went on to help redefine the computer graphics industry with its Amiga line—although by that point, the company was facing significant hardships.
Now, the name is back, with Commodore Gaming announcing plans to ship four gaming PCs to the U.S. market in the third quarter of this year, ranging from an entry-level system all the way up to a pixel-pumping powerhouse aimed at extreme gamers. The systems are already moving in Europe, and Commodore wants to bring them to the U.S. market in time for the Commodore 64's 25th anniversary.
"The Commodore name means we have a lot to live up to but it is part of our ambition to uphold this industry defining legacy", said Bala Keilman, CEO for Commodore Gaming, in a release. "The incredible heritage of Commodore in the U.S. market means we are proud and excited to offer these great systems. The interest and demand from the US has been a real motivator to realize this step only four months after our European launch".
The four models—the G, GS, GX, and XX—will be offered online at first, with rollouts to brick-and-mortar retailers to follow. All the systems feature Intel Quad Core processors and DirectX 10-capable graphics controllers. At the high end, the XX model features an Intel Core 2 Extreme Quad Core QX6800 running at 2.66 GHz with 8 MB of cache, an Asus P5N32-E Nvidia nForce 680i SLI motherboard, two 500 GB 7200 rpm drives in RAID 0 configuration, 2 GB of Corsair Dominator Twin 2×2048-8500C5D memory on a 1066 MHz bus, an 850 watt power suppply, a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer audio system, Windows Vista Ultimate, and two Nvidia GeForce 8800 Ultra SLI graphics cards with SLI.
Systems can be customized to individual preferences; Commodore is also offering custom C-Kin cases with everything from high art and classy photography to street art and hard core gamer graphics—although we're a little dissappointed that jaundiced beige of the original C64 isn't available.
"Commodore Gaming will ensure customers that only the very best components are provided to deliver the ultimate PC gaming experience. We also bring new ideas such as the Ice Cube cooling technology, whilst our C-kin painting process brings a fresh approach to chassis design and the concept of a fully personalized system. No word on base pricing for these systems yet, but we're sure more information will be forthcoming as the units get closer to market.
(Hey, irony check: Anybody else remember those old C64 advertisements featuring William Shatner, asking potential customers "Why buy just a video game?" No?)
Post Your Comment...Comments
Commodore Gaming on Jul 10th, 2007 at 3:28 PM:
http://www.commodoregaming.com/pcshop/C-Kin/Exampl...
Right here
Robert Pierce on Jul 11th, 2007 at 7:59 PM:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PUEI7mm8M7Q
There's the commercial. ;)
It actually convinced me to buy a Commodore product back then since William Shatner was my idol back then.
Lance Lane on Aug 11th, 2007 at 12:23 PM:
Get serious. What game machine? You mean they are selling standard PCs in a fancy case. WOW. I'm impressed. Indeed they are powerful as the Emperor has forseen. :-(
I mean, it looks like they are going to set a new standard using current standards. Uh. Not.
But on the flipside, as a software developer I have special reengineered versions C64 and Amiga emulators that integrate thousands of virtual machines and can translate software directly into C/C++ code to be compiled to run on the PC.
(yes, 8bit Commodore BASIC and assembly programs can run directly on Vista!!!)
It's just a shame that they can't network a few dying Motorola Power PC processors on a new motherboard and REALLY set a new standard.
But I don't think that any company has a penis long enough to fight off Hitler ... um ... Microsoft.
Look at what Microshaft did to IBM's OS2. Hell, IBM invented the PC, and let every steal it, and boy did everyone do just that.
No I am not going to "Billy Boy's Fake Commodore Computer Center and Pizza Palace" and order a colorful computer case with a glowing "C=" on the side of it even if they are overpriced :-)
Lance Lane on Oct 21st, 2007 at 7:47 AM:
Just rethinking about what I said earlier...
Much has happend to me in a short period of time. My knowledge and perspective have grown significantly. Hardware is not as important, and PCs are as common as lightbulbs. So hardware differentiation is not as significant anymore, and is in fact counterproductive. I have learned mountains of software production skills, and I don't want to fight large companies anymore.
Globalization is unstoppable at this time, and I think that it's my turn to join or become a big company.
Why you may ask?
The haves and havenots are moving away from each other at such a rapid pace, that those who do not take advantage of every skill that they possess are doomed to a life of mediocrity and poverty.
This does not mean that I abandon the efforts of fairness, kindness, and generosity that my father taught me so many years ago when I thought of myself of as a "worker."
It simply means that I have learned a most valuable lesson: Toot your own horn, or the next person will use it as a spittoon. If you are a super genius, yet do not communicate this to others, then you are on the same level as the lowest slave imaginable. (You decide the vocation.)
I am brilliant, and yet I have worked at insignificant, meaningless jobs for most of my life. Yet, in private, have developed fantastic skills in design, programming and engineering, that cover every aspect of hardware and software development. And I would like the oppourtunity to further develop thise skills. And I will.
Life is too short for conflicts that interfere with personal and professional growth. And I yield to the great forces that are unifying this world. And intend on joining them in their quest for greatness. I don't see this as netagive anymore. Why bother. It is inevitable that we are all part slave and master, under and over something or someone. It is the nature of society, and it will progress despite idealistic resistance.
If Gene Roddenberry were alive today, I'm not sure the Star Trek Federation would have been portrayed with such positive tone, rather a realistic one.
In any event. Having discovered that America was founded in 1774 by euntrepreneurs of large corporations, and not workers in 1776 with only the dream of freedom, independence, and liberty, I have decided that Capitol Hill is not such a bad place after all. The bills have to be paid somehow and this is usually done, behind the scenes, by business leaders.
And I like the Commodore too; Perhaps software developers could get together and revive the artistic quality found in the original Amigas.
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David T. on Jul 10th, 2007 at 3:23 PM:
Actually it does come in the original C64 color!