Commodore PET 64

The Commodore PET 64 placed Commodore 64 electronics and software compatibility into a heavier education-oriented enclosure with an integrated monochrome monitor.

It allowed schools familiar with the PET to adopt the C64 software base in a more secure classroom package.

Notable Features

• Also associated with the 4064 and Educator 64-1 names.
• A modified KERNAL and monochrome monitor distinguish early PET 64 machines.

Historical Significance

• It allowed schools familiar with the PET to adopt the C64 software base in a more secure classroom package.

Collector’s Notes

• Confirm the exact badge, case material, monitor and KERNAL ROM because Commodore used several closely related educational configurations.
• Memory, storage, displays and expansion hardware should be documented because configurations often changed during a system’s working life.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Commodore PET 64
Manufacturer	Commodore
Launched	Saturday, January 1, 1983
Discontinued	Late 1980s
Country	United States
CPU	MOS Technology 6510 at approximately 1 MHz
Units Sold
Form Factor	Metal PET-derived all-in-one case
Power	Internal mains supply
Networking	Commodore serial networking and third-party classroom systems
Operating System	Commodore BASIC 2.0
Expansion / I/O	Cartridge, serial IEC, cassette, user port and two joystick ports
Keyboard	Integrated C64-derived keyboard without colour legends
Storage	Datasette, Commodore serial disk drives and ROM cartridges
Sound	SID three-voice synthesizer through internal speaker/headphone output
Colours	Monochrome green shades; underlying VIC-II supports 16 colours
Graphics	VIC-II graphics rendered through the built-in monochrome display
Display	Built-in PET-style monochrome CRT; 40 x 25 text
ROM	20KB BASIC and KERNAL ROM plus 4KB character ROM
RAM	64KB
CPU Speed	Approximately 1 MHz