Revolution at the 1982 Winter CES:

The Commodore 64 causes a sensation

Las Vegas, January 1982 – At this year’s Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Commodore International presented a device that could change the world of home computers forever: the Commodore 64. The new masterpiece, which not only impresses technically but also sets a new standard in terms of price, was presented to great applause and palpable enthusiasm.

A computer for the masses

With a price of less than 600 US dollars and impressive technical specifications, including 64 kilobytes of RAM, a powerful MOS 6510 processor and the revolutionary SID (Sound Interface Device) sound chip, the C64 offered more performance than many more expensive competitors. Experts agree: this computer had the potential to dominate the home computer market.

Technical masterpiece

The SID sound chip, developed by engineer Robert Yannes, puts everything that has gone before in the shade. Crystal-clear sounds and polyphonic sound output open up completely new possibilities for music and games. Equally impressive is the VIC-II graphics chip, which conjures up vivid colors and smooth animations on the screen.

Jack Tramiel, the visionary founder of Commodore, put it in a nutshell: „We make computers for the masses, not for the classes.“ This sentence echoes through the halls of CES and perfectly summarizes the credo behind the Commodore 64.

A new standard for home computers

While other manufacturers are still experimenting with high-priced devices, Commodore is focusing on affordability without compromising on quality. Industry experts predict that the C64 will not only find its way into private households, but will also be used in schools and small businesses.

The beginning of a new era?

Although the market for home computers is young, the presentation of the C64 shows that we are at the beginning of a technological revolution. In the years to come, the Commodore 64 could be the tool that gives millions of people access to the digital world.

One thing is certain: CES 1982 will be remembered as the moment when the Commodore 64 took the stage – and perhaps changed the world. The future has begun, and it’s just a keystroke away.