Original Commodore All-in-one

[Darrin]

The PET was the first computer I ever used.  Our headmaster managed to get hold of one and didn't have a clue and he let a couple of us use it during lunch hour (this was a couple of years before we even had Computer Studies classes - you had to go to the "big" school and do O Levels for that).  I think it was a CBM 4032...

It was enough for me to ask for a VIC-20 for Christmas.  

[Darrin]

I go on the internets with mine!

http://lyonlabs.org/commodore/geoLink/eduirc.jpg

Is that a C64 in a PET case?

[Darrin]

Yup, the Educator 64 was a plain old C64 motherboard complete with SID and color graphics (but monochrome monitor) stuck into a PET style case.

So it isn't a custom job?  Commodore actually made them?

[Darrin]

Eeh Bah gum, went I wert a lad, all we had was this little beauty of a computer, if I recall correctly the OS was something called Abacus BC 3000. Ok granted the gfx were not too great but if you arranged the pixels (well, coloured little beads) properly you could make a little face.

And if you and some friends had one you could join them all together with bit's of sting and you were on the net...

Ahhh, the good old days, you kids don't even know your born... :biglaugh:

Cool!  From the number of strings I see it used a decimal system for processing data!  Way ahead of its time.  

[Darrin]

Yes, a small number when they were trying to break into the educational market that Apple had taken over.

Interesting, I've never seen one before.  I wonder if there were options for a colour display?  I guess back then it would have added several hundred Dollars to the price.

[Darrin]

More Educator 64 pics are near the bottom of

http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

Here's another pic of it from CommVEx v6 2010 --

http://www.dickestel.com/images/expo787.jpg

Finally, check out the Educator 64 photos from that same show at

http://pdxcug.org/commvex/commodore_vegas_expo_commvex_v6_2010.asp

but don't be fooled by the false "blue" color on the screen of the E64.  

You can connect a composite color monitor/t.v., like a Commodore 1701/1702., to the E64.

Thanks.  Interesting stuff there.  I like the "steam punked" C64.  

[Darrin]

Not on the Educator - monochrome only!  to keep cost down so schools could afford 'em.
This computer was aimed at the classroom only...

I have to admit that not coming from a wealthy home I had to use a second-hand black and white TV with my VIC-20 and C64 in my bedroom unless I wanted to drag them into the living room.