Commodore 64 released September 1, 1982
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The Commodore 64 launched on September 1, 1982, becoming the best-selling computer of its era.
The Commodore 64 debuted with 64KB of memory for under $600, selling 500,000 units in six months and eventually over 12 million worldwide. It used a 16-color graphics mode, 8 sprites, and a flexible three-voice sound chip (SID). The slow 1541 disk drive resulted from a last-minute hardware bug. The author credits the C64 with teaching programming and repair skills that led to an IT career. A 2025 FPGA-based reissue sold 19,000 units.
Key sales: 500,000 in six months, ~12.3 million lifetime.
What commenters are saying
Commenters largely shared nostalgic, formative experiences with the C64, many crediting it for their careers in software and IT. Several highlighted the disk drive's speed bug as a memorable quirk. A subthread debated the exact September 1 launch date, suggesting magazine archives as credible sources. One commenter noted the launch price of $595 dropped to $229 the following year, calling it a poor initial buy. Others praised the SID sound chip and recalled upgrading from tape drives to floppies or eventually to Amigas.