Computer Closet Collection

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Commodore PET 2001-8

See below for specifications and information on this system.

Introduced:	April 1977 at the West Coast Computer Faire
CPU:	6502
Memory:	8K RAM, 14K ROM
Operating System:	ROM BASIC
Input/Output:	Built-in keyboard and cassette drive; IEEE parallel port, external cassette port
Resolution:	40-column text with graphics characters
Bus:	N/A
Other Items in Collection:	PET 2001-32N
Items Needed:	Floppy disk drive (CBM 2040 or 4040), software, original documentation

The Commodore PET, designed by Chuck Peddle, was originally offered to Radio Shack. When Radio Shack turned him down, the PET was produced by Commodore Business Machines. The version shown at the West Coast Computer Faire was a prototype in a rounded plastic cabinet. This proved impractical for both durability and RF emissions reasons, and was replaced prior to production with the classic angular metal enclosure shown here.

The early systems were widely derided for their "chiclet" keyboard, so Commodore soon offered two optional full-size keyboards; the "graphics" keyboard and the "business" keyboard. The Computer Closet also contains a Commodore PET 2001-32N with the full-size graphics keyboard. The full-size keyboard versions used an external cassette drive.

The PET never met the level of success of the Apple II, but its basic architecture continued in the Commodore VIC-20 and eventually the Commodore 64.

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