I have two main units and a lot of Commodore accessories.
type computer
country USA
year 1983
os Commodore basic
cpu mos 6510A
speed 0.98 MHz
ram 64 KB
rom 20 KB
disk 5,25″
graphic 160 x 200
colors 16
sound 3 channel mono
ports rgb, 2 x joystick plugs, user port, tv, serial
The Commodore SX-64 — The World’s First Colour Portable Computer
Released in January 1984, the Commodore SX-64 holds a unique place in computing history as the world’s first full-colour portable computer. A self-contained unit combining a 5-inch colour CRT monitor, a built-in 1541 floppy disk drive, a detachable full-size keyboard, and the complete Commodore 64 hardware in a single shoulder-bag-sized enclosure, the SX-64 brought the C64’s capabilities to a portable format at a time when ”portable computers” invariably meant monochrome displays and compromised specifications. It weighed approximately 10.5 kg — heavy by modern standards but reasonable for its era.
Full C64 Compatibility
The SX-64 was completely hardware and software compatible with the standard Commodore 64 — the same MOS 6510 processor, VIC-II graphics chip, and SID sound chip, in a portable enclosure. Users could run their entire C64 software library on the SX-64, using the same cartridges, disks, and peripherals as on the desktop machine. The built-in 1541 drive was particularly convenient, eliminating the need for a separate drive unit and its power supply.
The Colour Display
The SX-64’s 5-inch colour CRT was its most remarkable feature. Colour portable computers simply did not exist before the SX-64 — the Osborne 1 and Kaypro II that had pioneered the luggable format both used monochrome displays. The VIC-II’s 16-colour display on a colour monitor, however small, transformed the SX-64’s gaming and graphics capabilities compared to monochrome competitors. It remains a technically impressive achievement even by modern standards to have packed a colour CRT, complete C64 hardware, and a floppy drive into such a compact package in 1984.
The Executive Market
The SX-64 was marketed as the ”Executive” portable, targeting business users who needed C64 compatibility on the road. At $995 at launch, it was significantly more expensive than a standard C64 plus external drive, but the all-in-one convenience and unique colour display justified the premium for users who genuinely needed portability. Today the SX-64 is one of the most prized Commodore collectibles, valued for its groundbreaking colour portable design and its excellent condition survivability compared to equipment that was actually used in field conditions.