They really missed a trick here, if it was installed with AmigaOS, or even just dual boot into Amiga in a Box (http://aiab.amiga.sk), this thing would FLY off the shelves through nostalgia alone.
A C= branded machine running XP, perish the thought.
"There'll be no Linux option, apparently, only Windows XP."
If it came with a 2008 version of AmigaOS, then I might have got excited. Instead it's just another bland overpriced disappointment from a brand name that ought to have the grace to just die.
OK, judging by the photos, it's no Macbook Air, but for God's sake IT'S GOT A COMMODORE LOGO ON IT! Will definitely up my street cred with the retro computing commuter crowd. The beige plasticy look of it is a nice retro nod too...
Why, dear god, WHY. What is the point of this?! It'll be slow as hell with the cache-crippled VIA CPU and XP, and the Commodore brand isn't even backed up with a comprehensive/well integrated emulator?
What is the point of launching this dreck when there are established, CHEAPER models?!
These days, both Commodore and Amiga only exist as brands owned by companies that hope to cash in on their brand recognition (much like Atari). The company that owns the Commodore brand is not the same one that owns the Amiga brand. "Commodore" these days seem to just make standard x86 PCs with pretty cases, while "Amiga" claims to be "a software company dedicated to creating applications and services to help people access and control the content of their unique digital environment. We call this Digital Living™". Bleugh.
Microsoft have been pushing XP as the OS for this general class of computer, so I'm not all that suprised.
And everyone and their dog sells USB stuff with XP support. Linux, on the other hand, can be a trap. Even "Linux" on the packaging is no guarantee. And, because of that, supporting Linux can be a PITA.
But there is a very comfortable space between no official support, and not being able to easily run Linux. The stupidity is when a manufacturer sells a machine like this which cannot easily run Linux.
Come on everyone, the biggest problem with this thing is the price tag! If they sold it for 50 quid they could rock the entire industry and become a "cult" brand on the back of their current nostalgia value. Instead they hobble it and hock it off for £325? If only the accountants hadn't stuck their noses in...
Seriously though, what would be the problem with just wiping it and installing your own Linux?
WTF? It's clearly white. The white balance on the shot hasn't been corrected for artificial lighting.
Again, price-wise - Acer Aspire One, 1GB/120GB, Linux, £229. 1024 x 600, decent 1.6GHz CPU. Asus machines are also competing on similar levels, as is the MSI Wind.
The Commodore shown here, the Maplin/Elonex machine... they're all exceptionally poor value by comparison.
Joe: I was tempted to stick Sinclair logos on my black Eee 701 ;)
Acorn stuff - well, the brand got snapped up. Make enough noise, I'm sure the current owners will be happy to market a subnotebook running XP on a crippled CPU as well.
if theyre going to sell that. they should keep it on the drawing baord. until they make it not look like something from the 80s, or they`ll be living on workbench patents for the next 15yrs
It does what the Acer Aspire One does, only it costs more and doesn't look as good. No Linux and at a price point that is way above the Eee so it's not in that market either. Who is going to buy it?
They seem to have gone straight back to the days of the Amiga 600 and CD32.
And if it's anything like my second generation C64, it'll be about as reliable as, er, something sentient with a nasty sense of humour. Although that might have been the tape deck being crap.
Still, nowt wrong with a bit of nostalgia...and my S1 C64/tape deck was much better in terms of reliabilty.
[I want my one in S1 C64 light grey with black keys [and the System keys - Win, Pause, PrntScrn et al can be dark grey. In a row. Down the side]
According to this: http://www.commodorecorp.com/repository/document/90.pdf factsheet from the Commodore website. Which is freely available and publicly facing, and should have been easily accessed by anyone. This machine comes with "MS WinXP or Linux Operating System."
Also note that this SCC has it's own girl on the first page. While not as scantily clad as the EEE girl, she's still quite attractive.
The guy on the second page, however, looks pretty confused; and well he should be.. why is he there.. he doesn't even have a computer.. just a cup of coffee or tea.
Yes, very enlightening. It doesn't specify the clock speed of that C7, the resolution of the display, the formats handled by the card reader...
What is does clarify is that:
The device is white.
The USB ports are in a stupid place.
FWIW, they may plan to offer it with Linux but are choosing to offer it with XP only for the time being. Not that El Reg is always accurate or even fair (see: FlipStart coverage), but they're only going to be as good as the information they're given when dealing with press released or third-party reports from shows.
Velocity Micro Edge Z30 Midsize Desktop (2.66GHz Intel Core i5 750, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 1TB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 27" LCD)
HP (Hewlett-Packard) Pavilion p6210f Mini-Tower Desktop (2.6GHz Athlon II X4 620, 6GB DDR2, 640GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Windows 7 Home Premium)
HP (Hewlett-Packard) Compaq Presario CQ5210F Mini-Tower Desktop (2.7GHz Athlon 64 X2 215, 3GB DDR2, 500GB, DVD±RW DL, Windows 7 Home Premium)
Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 500GB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 21.5" LCD)
Commodore launches little laptop
Joe K
*checks calendar* #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 13:05 GMT
Its not April again already is it??
They really missed a trick here, if it was installed with AmigaOS, or even just dual boot into Amiga in a Box (http://aiab.amiga.sk), this thing would FLY off the shelves through nostalgia alone.
A C= branded machine running XP, perish the thought.
Joe Montana
Better name #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 13:05 GMT
They should call it the Commodore Amoeba...
I would buy one of these if it had a Linux option, i was a big fan of Commodore back in the days.
K
Nice design #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 13:05 GMT
Shame the keyboard color resemble and early C16.
Alex Walsh
A C7??? #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 13:05 GMT
One of the new Via Nanos I could understand but why on earth put a C7 in there and then compound your failure by slapping a £300+ price tag on it?!
Voice of Reason
No thanks. #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 13:05 GMT
While I'm the first in the line for an Amiga laptop for all sorts of wrong reasons, that looks TERRIBLE. The design is like an 80s brick!
David Arno
Wot, no AmigaOS? #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 13:05 GMT
"There'll be no Linux option, apparently, only Windows XP."
If it came with a 2008 version of AmigaOS, then I might have got excited. Instead it's just another bland overpriced disappointment from a brand name that ought to have the grace to just die.
Aaron Scully
Just don't expect any support... #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 13:05 GMT
Would never buy another commodore product - their support is non existent (in this country at least). Just like Cowon...
Anonymous Coward
Nice #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 13:05 GMT
Release a proper Amiga hardware version with Workbench and you've got yourselves a sale.
Richard
There'll be no Linux option, apparently, only Windows XP. #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 13:05 GMT
You can always disagree to the Windows XP T&Cs, uninstall and claim the money back. It's happened before.
Stuart Harrison
WANT #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
OK, judging by the photos, it's no Macbook Air, but for God's sake IT'S GOT A COMMODORE LOGO ON IT! Will definitely up my street cred with the retro computing commuter crowd. The beige plasticy look of it is a nice retro nod too...
Mike Richards
If it's a Commodore #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
It'll be a notebook computer with a HUGE power brick that could warm a house - and a tape drive.
Richard Kilpatrick
ARGH! #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
£325. C7M. XP.
Why, dear god, WHY. What is the point of this?! It'll be slow as hell with the cache-crippled VIA CPU and XP, and the Commodore brand isn't even backed up with a comprehensive/well integrated emulator?
What is the point of launching this dreck when there are established, CHEAPER models?!
Anonymous Coward
No unix #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
no go.
Looks ok though, but it will run like the proverbial dog.
Now if one can get the windows tax taken off the price, that could be a goer.
b
talkin' 'bout the resolution! #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
10" screen = good.
1gb ram = soso
HD = bad (need SSD's you muppets!)
bbbut what's da res, baby?
cheers,
bill
stuff and nonsense: http://www.eupeople.net/forum
Matt
Yes, blimey, AmigaOs! #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
Gosh yeah, I'd love to see one of those released with AmigaOs, then I could, erm, well I'm not sure what I could do with it really.
Erm, I just kinda remember when computing was fun? - as clearly it's not anymore, is it?
I'm confused.
I'm going to get all nostalgic with my ZX-Spectrum - anyone got a bit of duct tape? - now this is fun...
James Pickett
Re C64 #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
Are they still using the same batch of plastic to make the case?
Anonymous Coward
Commodore != Amiga #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
These days, both Commodore and Amiga only exist as brands owned by companies that hope to cash in on their brand recognition (much like Atari). The company that owns the Commodore brand is not the same one that owns the Amiga brand. "Commodore" these days seem to just make standard x86 PCs with pretty cases, while "Amiga" claims to be "a software company dedicated to creating applications and services to help people access and control the content of their unique digital environment. We call this Digital Living™". Bleugh.
Paul
a decidedly C64-beating £325 #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
My C64 cost more than £325! ...before adding a display and disc drive ;)
EnigmaForce
Windows XP? #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:40 GMT
It ain't a Commodore, it's a shit sandwich.
Anonymous Coward
Does it at least come with... #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:41 GMT
Does it at least come with the V.I.C.E. emulator and a nice selection of C64 games preinstalled? How about an IEEE-488 port just for fun?
Dave Bell
At least it isn't Vista. #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:41 GMT
Microsoft have been pushing XP as the OS for this general class of computer, so I'm not all that suprised.
And everyone and their dog sells USB stuff with XP support. Linux, on the other hand, can be a trap. Even "Linux" on the packaging is no guarantee. And, because of that, supporting Linux can be a PITA.
But there is a very comfortable space between no official support, and not being able to easily run Linux. The stupidity is when a manufacturer sells a machine like this which cannot easily run Linux.
Jolyon
Ameagre. #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 14:41 GMT
I think my comment is in my other coat.
shane fitzgerald
Pointless #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 16:28 GMT
....its doesn't even have a run-stop key....
P. Lee
This brought a rush of nostalgia #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 16:28 GMT
Yep, it should come with c64/amiga emulators and a range of apps & games.
Paris - who doesn't understand it cos she was born too late.
Faber foX
Want the next one #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 16:28 GMT
I'll wait for the next revision and a bit of a price drop, but I'm really liking the commodore color combo.
SSD instead of HD will be welcome too, as is a no OS/linux version.
Oh, and come on, at least include vice + uae, with legal roms.
Dean
Anyone else notice.. #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 16:28 GMT
that those two pictures feature different systems?
Note the rounded edges in the first pic..
Joe
Make one with Sinclair branding... #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 16:28 GMT
...and I might be interested!
Mad Dog
Nostalgia... #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 16:28 GMT
Come on everyone, the biggest problem with this thing is the price tag! If they sold it for 50 quid they could rock the entire industry and become a "cult" brand on the back of their current nostalgia value. Instead they hobble it and hock it off for £325? If only the accountants hadn't stuck their noses in...
Seriously though, what would be the problem with just wiping it and installing your own Linux?
It'sa Mea... Mario
<dream>Now I want an Acorn one.. #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 16:28 GMT
With an ARM chip, that can duel boot Risc OS and Linux! </dream>
Acorn ruled in all they did.... 'cept marketing :(
Flames from (cheers Jolyon..) Ameagre/Atari/Anti-Acorn fanatics will be ignored so save you fingers..
David Hicks
Shame I just got the eee 901 #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 18:18 GMT
Or this thing would be top of the list.
I loved my c64, and the logo alone would sell this thing to me.
Mage
ARM #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 18:18 GMT
Almost every portable device that is NOT an x86 laptop/netbook is ARM based
Nokia Smart phones
iPhone
Archos 6th Gen and new Archos net tablets
unlike the x86 camp the ARM is a core in a chip that does everything.
p3ngwin
shame on you nostaligia freaks #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 18:18 GMT
nobody caught the "peek, poke" reference to scanning and inserting memory data?
Richard Kilpatrick
Commodore Beige? #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 18:18 GMT
WTF? It's clearly white. The white balance on the shot hasn't been corrected for artificial lighting.
Again, price-wise - Acer Aspire One, 1GB/120GB, Linux, £229. 1024 x 600, decent 1.6GHz CPU. Asus machines are also competing on similar levels, as is the MSI Wind.
The Commodore shown here, the Maplin/Elonex machine... they're all exceptionally poor value by comparison.
Joe: I was tempted to stick Sinclair logos on my black Eee 701 ;)
Acorn stuff - well, the brand got snapped up. Make enough noise, I'm sure the current owners will be happy to market a subnotebook running XP on a crippled CPU as well.
Andus McCoatover
Nah..Marketing failure- #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 18:38 GMT
No pert tart on the beach (or bitch on my pert ...)
Ye'well. I was born in Chelsea. Pobody's Nerfect.
Anonymous Coward
to Richard Kilpatrick #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 19:39 GMT
"I was tempted to stick Sinclair logos on my black Eee 701" - now
thats a damn fine idea.... especially the nice main bar one.. I might do that on my black Eee 900
Zmodem
Nostalgia aint the word #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 23:01 GMT
if theyre going to sell that. they should keep it on the drawing baord. until they make it not look like something from the 80s, or they`ll be living on workbench patents for the next 15yrs
tardigrade
It's got FAIL written all over it. #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 23:01 GMT
It does what the Acer Aspire One does, only it costs more and doesn't look as good. No Linux and at a price point that is way above the Eee so it's not in that market either. Who is going to buy it?
Bill
MMMM, Commodore #
Posted Tuesday 2nd September 2008 23:01 GMT
Well, £325 is a little much for a C7 based laptop, and with only 1GB RAM, and 80GB HDD, it's not really worth it.
Shame they didn't use the Atom or the Nano in this and triple the hard drive size and double the RAM, then it would be a contender.
I wouldn't be surprised if they were counting on the Commodore branding to sell it.
Also it should come preloaded with a C64 Emulator and every game that was ever made for the C64.
Steven Raith
Underspecced, overpriced... #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 00:44 GMT
They seem to have gone straight back to the days of the Amiga 600 and CD32.
And if it's anything like my second generation C64, it'll be about as reliable as, er, something sentient with a nasty sense of humour. Although that might have been the tape deck being crap.
Still, nowt wrong with a bit of nostalgia...and my S1 C64/tape deck was much better in terms of reliabilty.
[I want my one in S1 C64 light grey with black keys [and the System keys - Win, Pause, PrntScrn et al can be dark grey. In a row. Down the side]
Lovely.
Steven
10 Print "Steven R is great";
20 goto 10
30 End
Raith
Dave Morris
Er.... #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 00:44 GMT
Holy factual inaccuracy Batman!.
According to this: http://www.commodorecorp.com/repository/document/90.pdf factsheet from the Commodore website. Which is freely available and publicly facing, and should have been easily accessed by anyone. This machine comes with "MS WinXP or Linux Operating System."
Also note that this SCC has it's own girl on the first page. While not as scantily clad as the EEE girl, she's still quite attractive.
The guy on the second page, however, looks pretty confused; and well he should be.. why is he there.. he doesn't even have a computer.. just a cup of coffee or tea.
Adrian Esdaile
If it's got an HDD its not an SCC #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 10:26 GMT
If there's no SSD then its not an SCC.
I think I'll stick an old C64 sticker on my Asus and run Frodo on it, thanks.
fred scuttle
If it could run my 'Blue Meanies' cartridge I'd be sold!! #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 10:26 GMT
Flogged the Vic 20 on tatBay years ago - big mistake..........Nuff said...
Mines the one with the cream and beige pockets!!!
Richard Kilpatrick
@Dave #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 10:26 GMT
Yes, very enlightening. It doesn't specify the clock speed of that C7, the resolution of the display, the formats handled by the card reader...
What is does clarify is that:
The device is white.
The USB ports are in a stupid place.
FWIW, they may plan to offer it with Linux but are choosing to offer it with XP only for the time being. Not that El Reg is always accurate or even fair (see: FlipStart coverage), but they're only going to be as good as the information they're given when dealing with press released or third-party reports from shows.
David Hayes
Um.... #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 10:26 GMT
The datasheet....
She's using a DELL laptop! And that guy's just begging for change, because he's not got enough money for "the train home".
I'd love nothing more than the nostalgia factor of a Winblows Amiga Laptop, but they can't even sort out their datasheet, then I'm out...
Andus McCoatover
Erm..Aint that... #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 10:26 GMT
...a Sinclair MK14 in a tacky case? Now, THAT was a real 'puter!
Outcast
decisions #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 12:18 GMT
Since when have Commodore or Amiga ever made good business decisions ?
btw.. AmigaOS is still alive and very much in development
http://www.hyperion-entertainment.biz:8080/news/2008-07-11
If a laptop/tot was released with Os4.1 > I'd be first in line to buy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSAhR7uXcCc
Regards
Outcast
Ps.. Paris.. Coz I reckon she's got better business sense than C= A.Inc Combined
Jon Lamb
Re: Um.... #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 12:51 GMT
And two of the pics in the commodore PDF are EEE's ! Still want one tho.
Anonymous Coward
poke 36879,8 #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 12:51 GMT
I'd wager none of you youngsters can remember what this did on a Vic-20.
Alan Parsons
Poke 36879,8 #
Posted Wednesday 3rd September 2008 14:40 GMT
Sets the screen and border to black.
Damn I'm good.