Commodore CBM 8296

The CBM 8296 was a late, highly integrated 8000-series computer with 128KB RAM and a redesigned rounded case. It preserved PET software and peripheral compatibility while reducing the electronics to a more compact motherboard.

It represented the final major production development of Commodore’s original PET business architecture.

Notable Features

• The rounded high-profile case differs visibly from earlier angular PET enclosures.
• 128KB RAM supports bank-switched professional software.

Historical Significance

• It represented the final major production development of Commodore’s original PET business architecture.

Collector’s Notes

• PET revisions often share names while differing in motherboard, ROM, keyboard and display hardware; the serial number and internal board revision should be recorded.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Commodore CBM 8296
Manufacturer	Commodore
Launched	Sunday, January 1, 1984
Discontinued	Late 1980s
Country	United States
CPU	MOS Technology 6502 at approximately 1 MHz
Units Sold
Form Factor	All-in-one metal desktop computer
Power	Internal mains supply
Networking	PET networking and shared-drive systems available from Commodore and third parties
Operating System	Commodore BASIC in ROM
Expansion / I/O	IEEE-488, cassette, user port and internal expansion connections
Keyboard	Business keyboard with numeric keypad
Storage	External IEEE-488 floppy and hard-disk systems; external IEEE-488 disk drives supported
Sound	Piezoelectric beeper on later models; early PETs have no dedicated sound
Colours	Monochrome green or white phosphor
Graphics	MOS 6545/CRTC or discrete PET video logic depending on model; character graphics
Display	Built-in 12-inch CRT; 80 x 25 text
ROM	BASIC 4.0
RAM	128KB with bank switching
CPU Speed	Approximately 1 MHz