Commodore 128D
I have three Commodore 128D and one Commodore 128DCR main units,
three keyboards and many joysticks.
type computer
country USA
year 1986 (128D) / 1987 (128DCR)
os Commodore Basic, CP/M
cpu MOS 8502, Zilog Z80
speed 1,02 MHz
ram 128 KB
rom 48 KB
disk 5.25″
graphic 320×200
colors 16
sound 3 voices, 9 octaves
ports RGB, composite video, two joysticks, cartridge, tape, user port, RF, Serial
The Commodore 128D and 128DCR — The Desktop C128
The Commodore 128D, released in late 1985 in Europe and 1986 in North America, was the desktop version of the Commodore 128 — placing the computer’s electronics in a larger PC-style case with a built-in 1571 floppy drive, a detachable keyboard, and a cooling fan. The 128DCR (Cost Reduced) followed later, simplifying the internal design while maintaining compatibility. Together these machines offered a more professional desktop computing environment than the standard C128’s keyboard-integrated design, appealing to business users who wanted the C128’s impressive capabilities in a form factor suitable for an office desk.
The Built-in 1571 Drive
The inclusion of a built-in 1571 disk drive was the 128D’s most significant practical advantage over the standard C128. The 1571 was Commodore’s double-sided disk drive — capable of reading both Commodore MFM format and IBM PC-compatible MFM disks, making it far more versatile than the earlier 1541. Having the drive built into the main unit eliminated the need for a separate drive unit and its power supply, creating a cleaner desktop setup and slightly faster operation due to the shorter data path.
The 128DCR
The 128DCR was a cost-reduced revision of the 128D that simplified several aspects of the design to reduce manufacturing expense while maintaining functional compatibility. The most notable change was the replacement of the metal chassis of the original 128D with a plastic one, and various circuit board simplifications that reduced chip count. While slightly less robust than the original 128D, the DCR provided the same computing capabilities at a lower retail price.
Collector’s Value
The 128D and 128DCR are today among the most sought-after Commodore computers, valued for their complete, self-contained desktop design. The collection holds both variants — a particularly comprehensive representation of the desktop C128 family.