A brand new C64 in 2024 - The Commodore C64X - - Review & Build
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- Опубликовано: 24 фев 2024
- In this video I will check out the C64X - a brand new C64 with a PC inside ... or just the barebones case.
You can find it here: myretrocomputer.com/
or here: www.mini-itx.com/2022/07/07/t...
The Cooler: de.aliexpress.com/item/328260...
Commodore OS Vision 2.0: www.commodoreos.net/Commodore...
More Links:
www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
www.indiegogo.com/projects/th...
Here is the mail that Sean send me (to give you all the info in his own words):
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Hi Wolfgang,
Glad you got it but sorry about the problems.
I did send out cases before the campaign from 2020 - 2022 - The injection molds were made in 2010 by Commodore USA and this is the first time there has been a crack detected in that area (EDIT: the crack near the keyboard)!
The slot cover - this is for either the hard drive docking station or dvd/blue Ray drive - I was originally going to have a blank made for the C64x but because we didn't have enough money left - I had to abandon that idea. A fellow backer has designed a 3d printable cover for it though and I have attached this to the email.
We have had no issues about the tolerance around the keyboard - remember the case was designed in 2010. That item inside you refer to (EDIT: the broken of thing inside the case) was for a Wi-Fi aerial but we decided to remove this because it was in the way (again the case/injection molds were designed and built in 2010).
...
Regarding the Raspberry Pi compatibility, again because of costings - we had to abandon the idea but I do have Raspberry pi kits available to do this anyway.
We used a crowdfunding agency to handle the crowdfunding and they did 4 months of prelaunch advertising, this enabled them to gather information to predict the amount we would raise and they predicted 1 million US Dollars - so they advised me to have a very low goal (25k) but in reality my goal was like 350k. This was to allow us to reach the goal (25k) within an hour or so and this would make the Kickstarter algorithm work in our favour pushing our campaign to the top of their ranking and generate free promotion/advertising. It worked and within 4 hours we were well on our way to our hidden goal and in line with the agency's predictions but then an Italian company (that have been attempting to take the commodore branding for themselves) - I think they are called Commodore Engineering - contacted Kickstarter and informed them that I was infringing on their IP "Commodore" so Kickstarter took the campaign down. It was down for a week and by the time Kickstarter reinstated the campaign - the damage was done and in the end we only raised 150k.
I had a big decision to make 1 - Cancel the campaign just before it became fully funded or to refund all the backers that pledged for a monitor and see the campaign reach a successful conclusion and honour all the C64x rewards - So I chose to honour the C64x backer rewards and not cancel the campaign. I might add that if I did cancel the campaign, the agency we used would not have been paid so that was a big persuader in the end. So going forward from that point on, I have been attempting to fulfil this campaign on a shoestring budget. So finally, I am so glad to be shipping out all rewards to get the weight of this campaign off my shoulders!
All the best
Sean
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Visit my store for cool merchandise like T-Shirts, Cups etc.: retro-is-the-new-black.creato...
RETRO is the new black is a retro channel for retro enthusiasts. The channel features retro computers, game consoles and gadgets from the 1970, 1980 and 1990s as well as new tech for old machines. The videos range from simple unboxing to repairs and sometimes even the creation of new things.
I try to upload two videos a week (one smaller QUICK SHOT video and one longer main Video).
Some machines featured in my (upcoming) videos are: Commodore PET, Commodore C64, Commodore VIC 20 (VC20), Atari 800XL, Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Amstrad (Schneider) CPC, IBM PCs, Apple IIe, Apple Macintosh, Amiga 3000, Amiga 2000 and many more.
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If you have any questions or want to contact me, please refer to my website at: wolfgang@wolfgangkierdorf.de.
This channel is hosted by Wolfgang Kierdorf. I am a retro enthusiast from Cologne in Germany. My retro videos are in english. If you are from a different county or need a different language, please check if subtitles are available.
Thanks for watching! 
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Hello, I am the co-designer of the C64x from way back in 2010 and creator of the Commodore OS distro. I have a few nitpicks about your nitpicks. We couldn't legally include the C64 emulation hardware ROMs, however they can be obtained for free from Cloanto and downloaded and integrated automatically in a couple of minutes if you peruse the Commodore OS menu within the System menu. That menu also contains a lot of other nice features. VICE is included in Commodore OS and the back arrow you want is mapped to "shift+minus". The graphics are typically much faster than in your video. Was the framerate low because of the video capture? Also, you missed the sound effects and speech within the OS. Yes, the OS is a novelty, as is the C64x case itself, but it doesn't mean it isn't very functional. Commodore OS has linux software for practically every use case if you look(and of course you can download more) and there is a quick way to download and install 50 of the best linux games as well. The filesystem you were navigating includes tonnes of MODs, SIDs, demos and various selections of Commodore games for various systems including the Amiga, and retro games for DOS and Windows. An upcoming update around mid year will include a multi system game launcher.
Thanks! I will pin your comment at the top!
@@RetroWK
Just a few points on this review:
I dont think the c64x are 100x better than Thec64, yes, they are a huge step up as c64x is considerably better and nicer to use with a mech keyboard and more rigidity in the chassis - that said Thec64 feels closer in feel to the original c64 than the maxi for that reason as the original keyboard wasnt super nice.
With setting up a pc, you can have it powered by an external plug pack (I have a AMD 5600G in my translucent). This helps give extra room for anything else you want to add.
If they did the c64x with a commodore 64 keyboard you then make it unsuitable for pc (or most other uses). I think the current layout is better for most purposes and is close enough for most peoples needs. I would imagine you can remap as needed.
When you stated you can't use the keyboard for extended period - we did with the original c64x and this keyboard is much better than the original and really pleasant to use. I use mine daily and its not any worse than my normal keyboard - its also roughly the same width as normal keyboards.
For reference I have C64, TheC64 and the C64x so feel good with the comparisons.
NB I didnt have the quality issues you had in either of mine they were both delivered in perfect condition.
Thanks for the video. I wouldn’t be too concerned about giving a bit of negative feedback - the video was valuable to those who might have purchased the unit, only to find that it may not live up to what they were expecting.
Thanks Again.
Thanks!
The lack of petscii is a serious blunder.
I have had one of these as my primary desktop computer now for almost 2 years and it makes me incredibly happy to use. I use it mostly as a modern desktop computer running openSUSE Linux. I don't use it much as an emulation station mostly because it is surrounded by work things in my office and workbench. I did add a second case fan to it because it did get too warm and that small addition has solved any thermal issues.
I like to hear that. I am glad there is a real life use case for the machine.
I backed the full model that runs the Celeron processor and mainly use it to play my Steam collection and it does a really good job running those games. I'm happy with the purchase.
It doesn't overheat? I rememeber the original cusa i7's were said to overheat something fierce!
Ended up as a pretty sweet build after all 🤩
wow i was excited at first!! but after you started noticing all of the short comings...i was thourghly disappointed....i want to like it too!i did not get one...but i was thinking about it...
Oh man! That think is gorgeous! You did tease us long to get to the goods😂but here it is! Incredible! But those holes are shame, you do need to put a micro atx in there. And it isn’t nicely finished either.
Yep. At the end of the video I did put an ITX in there and it was OK. But I am still not a fan. I did cut about 1hour of me rambling about the shortcomings of the case. I guess if you use it for a PC it's ok. Looks nice, the keyboard is nice and clicky, but I can see no valid use case for this.
@@RetroWK yes I saw you did. And just watching I came to the same conclusion. It’s more of a gimmick than something useful and we now know how unergonomic those breadbins are.
I didn’t know about the old keyboard without external springs being unique. I had one on my VIC20. Which is still regret having thrown away after I moved out of my parents’ house in the early 90s.
I adore my commodore! It’s extremely modded. There’s even a dual pentode vacuum tube stereo audio pre-amp and headphone amp and jack + volume knob, SIDFX, vicII2, cherry mx blues, mech board, white front print keycaps. Paddle knobs for MSSiah. JiffyDOS, ALPS 1541 w/ parallel port burst nibbler mod, track display, RAMBOard, jiffyDOS, device ID slide switches, smps mod. My love, my life. I can see how somebody could love using this C64, as well: it has some personality, too! That’s all it takes.
Sounds like a Kick-Ass-Machine!
The concept plays on nostalgic for the most part. I give him lots of credit for going this far and making it happen. like most I have been watching this project for the last 2 yrs. I ended up building a mini-itx system with a c64 theme and a 64 emulator on top of windows 10. I also bought and modded a PI-400 system which I think is even better and lastly I also bought a c64-maxi and I have a original C64 as well. I would buy the empty box tho.
The box is great!
Actually while the C64 is the most famous Commodore computer, I would realy like such a case in A600 design.
The C64 has a quite different keyboard compared to modern PCs. So a C64-Emulator case is just usefull to emulate a C64 (or maybe C128 or maybe PET). But for me the most important port was the user-port, which you do not get on emulation anyway. So it's mostly an attractive dust collector.
This is esp. important for not english speaking people - even if you do not use the C64 emulation but a linux (or with an actuall mini-ITX board even a modern windows), you can not use this keyboard for productive use, if you need your local characters.
So imho a A500 case would be much more nice (for mini-ITX), if you want a PC for dayly use while giving you retro vibe. An A600 case would be optimal for a Pi 5, if you do not need the numeric keypad. Actually the only keys the Amiga doesn't have but might be usefull on a modern PC are F11 and F12. For F12 the Help-Key might be remapped. As the A600 and A500 have LEDs, these might also build as "keys", so you might map F11 there (alternativly remap caps-lock, as nobody needs this key anyways).
On a C64 emulator I do not see the need for a CD-Rom. However, on an Amiga case it would be quite usefull. I would prefer slot-in-drives, to make the difference less noticable from the outside.
The new C64's keyboard is quite interesting. However, for an emulation the missing frontprint with the graphical characters are missing. Also original used keyboards are still quite good available and there are adapters on thingiverse to put the keycaps onto Cherry keys.
But it is nice to see new products - and the monitor they plan looks quite nice.
I have built 8 of these cases. Four of the original beige, A green and a blue chameleon and two translucent models. I've built one with a Rasberry Pi 4, a couple with embedded intel CPUs and several with mid range AMD APU (5600G/5700G). I still have 2 unopened cases in which I plan to install the newest AMD 5 8600G APU. You have to select your parts carefully but they aren't hard to find. I have designed and printed 3D parts to add better cooling options and an internal SSD mount.
Friends and family enjoy using them. I have one dedicated to my 3D printing, one for working remotely from home, another for emulation and a general purpose. They are fun to build and use.
I loved my C64 in the 1980s and I love having the old breadbin around again for modern use.
Wow! These seem to be taylor made for you ;-) I am glad you enjoy and use them!
Where are you mean to put the power supply if you used it with an ITX motherboard?
It's one of the small PicoPSUs that sticks right in the motherboard. You can see it in the video.
Ich habe mir das Video genau angesehen. Bin wirklich nicht beeindruckt von dem Produkt. Und dann zu dem Preis auch noch. Wer für ab und zu eine günstige C64 Variante im Oldskool Feeling haben möchte, greift zum THE C64 MAXI oder MINI. Oder besorgt sich aus Ebay ein Original oder baut sich einen Ultimate 64 Elite oder Ultra, oder macht es gleich via Raspberry Pi oder mit Emulator auf dem PC. Das eigentliche Originalfeeling werden wir eh so nie wieder haben, wie es damals war. Aber es soll die Erinnerungen wieder aufleben lassen und Spaß machen.
We live in a universe with THEC64 in it. Why would I buy a weakass PC in a breadbin case with a wrong keyboard? In terms of weakass PCs I can get a better one off eBay in a 1L case and put VICE on it if I want to play C64 games.
THEC64 gives you a pretty good approximation of an "authentic" C64 experience that's compatible out of the box with USB sticks and HDMI televisions. Retrocomputing on easy mode, I call it, and that's not a bad thing. Great for kids and casuals.
I believe there is a backplate and brace for the C64x that allows you to utilise a raspberry pi. Failing that, perhaps you could try 3d printing one.
The quality of my "The C64 maxi" (& mini) is perfect for what it is. I would say that "The C64 Maxi" is the way better concept overall. Highlight is the very nice Keyboard with PETSCII within the maxi. The C64 (emulation) really needs the real C64 keyboard layout for all the fun within old dev tools, games etc. The C64X Keyboard layout looks so strange to me - oh no! ;)
well, the keys can be mapped - so the top, right key can be mapped to that special Commodore arrow key, etc
In VICE the arrow key he wants is likely the shift + minus keys together. Of course there is a way to remap it.
Hi, RETRO. Did you know the page that had text on it Saying "This page has intentionally been left blank" Well its not blank as it has the text on it telling you its blank. In the COMMODORE 64x= BAREBONE USERS GUID.
'Apple quality'? Ask Louis Rossman about Loom!
I didn't say good quality ... ;-)
Yep, I have no idea why this product exists; a PC case that looks like a C64. If I didn't have my own original C64 I'd seek out the C64 Maxi.
The C64x case was designed 14 years ago and predates the C64Maxi. You don't think a real PC in a C64 keyboard is more useful than a C64? It's a perfect beginner PC for kids with nostalgic parents. As the designer of the C64x keyboard layout certain compromises needed to be made, functionally and for the aesthetic, however I can't see how the Maxi can even hope to accommodate all of today's PC keyboard functionality as the C64x does.
Nope...!!! Not worth it... I will wait for something better.... how about a complete Commodore C64 full size, that works right out of the box just like the original used to...
Talking hands )))
kalter Kaffee, kam 2011 raus. Nichts neues !
Zumindest das Commodore OS hat ein Update bekommen. Kann aber nicht sagen, was sich verändert hat.
Teure Verkleidung für eine Emulationsmaschine. Als PC wegen des englischen Layouts auch nicht unbedingt für den deutschsprachigen Markt gedacht. Das ist nicht meine Tasse Tee... Und er sieht auch nur so ähnlich wie ein 64er aus, oh Mann....
Needs to get on with it too much waffle
You can always fast forward.
Not worth even 50% of what it is sold for.
This is NOT a Commodore64. It uses emulators. This is another BS scam that many retro gamers will not see as FAKE! You can do the same with the PC you now have.
what a let down. Keyboard is all wrong
This is the biggest BULLSHIT. A pc in a c64, what will be the next. ??
I agree. The appeal of having a NEW C64 was there, but it didn't hit the mark for me - maybe that was impossible in the first place.
Its just disgusting and nothing to do with the real Commodore 64.
That's a bit harsh ... but in the end it has nothing to do with the real C64. That's true!
@@RetroWKWell, it is officially licensed from Commodore at least.... Make of that what you will.
@@AussieAmigan ruclips.net/video/UOXaD-7FYOg/видео.html - The main problem is here. I don't think the Commodore brand deserves such shoddy creations.
yeah, it looks like a nice case just for housing a pc board. again what happens with the F keys.
as you said "then came the C64 MAXI" from retrogamesunlimited. which is more properiate to buy. even then to ditch the internals to make space for housing a raspberry pi. actually that keyboard in the maxi is USB so that should work perfect with vice and other emulators.
and it should not be to difficult to fit a mini ITX board into a C64 Maxi case. with some creativity modification.
hmmm. 🤔 i got the C64 Maxi. but i was searching if i wanted it to buy again for moding, but it seems to be sold out everywhere i look. mini's are still avaiable but maxi's go pretty fast.
Sometimes you can get them on ebay in various conditions. ... but they still go for retail even without the box.
@@RetroWK I just bought one on amazon de . i think/hope the the C64 maxi only came in qwerty tastatur. because it's goeing to NL. for 129 euro's
cant remember were i bought my other one. which then is goeing to be hacked, or maybe not lol.
I think you'll have a harder time getting a mini-ITX into TheC64. This was built to do it.
shame. box is nice tho' 😀
You waited (excitedly) for this POS? ----- NICE !!
Enough is enough. Everyone had gone mad for the sake of crazy nostalgia. I tried the real one for a day & couldn't put it away fast enough then go back to the Nintendo's Switch.
Retro is way overrated !! Stop this craziness. Stop it.
😂