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Commodore PET

The Commodore PET is a line of personal computers produced starting in 1977 by Commodore International.[3] A single all-in-one case combines a MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor, Commodore BASIC in read-only memory, keyboard, monochrome monitor, and, in early models, a cassette deck.

"SuperPET" redirects here. For other uses, see Superpet (disambiguation).

Manufacturer

January 1977 (1977-01)[1]

US$795 (equivalent to $4,000 in 2023)[2]

1982 (1982)[3]

219,000[4]

6502 @ 1 MHz

4–96 KB

Cassette tape, 5.25-inch floppy, 8-inch floppy, hard disk

40×25 or 80×25 text

Monochrome PETSCII semigraphic characters

None or beeper

Development of the system began in 1976, and it was demonstrated and sold as the first personal computer for the masses at the January 1977 Consumer Electronics Show.[1] The name "PET" was suggested by Andre Souson after he saw the Pet Rock in Los Gatos, and stated they were going to make the "pet computer".[5] It was backronymed to Personal Electronic Transactor. Byte referred to the PET, Apple II and Tandy TRS-80 collectively as the "1977 trinity".


Following the initial PET 2001, the design was updated through a series of models with more memory, better keyboard, larger screen, and other modifications. The systems were a top seller in the Canadian and United States education markets, as well as for business use in Europe.


The PET line was discontinued in 1982 after approximately 219,000 machines were sold.

Reception[edit]

ETI Canada wrote that the Commodore PET was revolutionary in helping to bring personal computers to widespread use, noting the company's marketing and its targeting of inexperienced computer users with the computer's simple design.[28] Dan Fylstra of Byte magazine received one of the initial PETs in October 1977, S/N 16, and reported on the computer in the March 1978 issue. Fylstra praised its full-featured BASIC, lowercase letters, and reliable cassette system, while disapproving of the keyboard. His machine had three faulty RAM chips and after some difficulty contacting Commodore, was mailed a set of replacement chips and installation instructions by John Feagans. Fylstra described the PET 2001 as a versatile "appliance" computer most suitable for casual users and computer hobbyists, calling it a "strong contender" in the personal computer market.[29] Creative Computing praised its portability, reliability, and ease of use. While it criticized the efficiency of its cassette recorder and the initial lack of adequate documentation, it considered the PET to be the best computer for a classroom.[30]

PETSCII

PET Transfer Protocol (PTP)

List of Commodore PET games

PET index

PET killer poke discussion

Commodore's version of the history

Detailed discussion of PET 2001, with photos of exterior and interior

Universal Videogame List – Commodore PET Game List

Bo Zimmermann's pictures of CBM machines from his collection

A tribute to Jack Tramiel's contribution

Video Commodore PET 2001-8C Retro Computer museum, Zatec, Czech Republic

List of Commodore Pet ROMs

Colour-PET Project