Commodore Educator 64 Computers : The C64 is Schoolbound... (original) (raw)

The Educator 64

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Commodore PET 64 (aka C= 4064)

With strong hopes of competing with Apple in the school market, Commodore changed the label on their breadbox Commodore 64computer to Educator 64. Schools had trouble taking such a small and cute little machine seriously, however, so Commodore was forced to improvise. Taking refurbished C64 V1 motherboards, they retrofitted the boards into old PET 40XX cases to produce the CBM 4064 and PET 64 variations, continueing to call most the Educator 64.

In the end, the PET/Educator 64 IS a Commodore 64, complete with the powerful VIC-II video chip, SID sound chip, 64K of memory, and the fantastic BASIC 2.0 programming environment. The only downside is that the monochrome monitor takes away the benefits of a 16 color video chip, and the internal speaker is hardly adequate for the sound generated. As a result of the screen, the PET/Educator 64 keyboard has the color codes removed from the front of the number keys.

Although essentially the same computers, there are a few differences between the CBM 4064/PET 64 (shown here on the left) and the Educator 64 (shown in the upper right). They had different ROMs for instance, and different boot up screens. The PET 64s screen was forced to remain in a black background/white writing color scheme, whereas the Educator 64 used the standard C64 ROM, allowing it to explore the range of green shades available. Many PET 64s also lacked the internal speaker of the Educator 64. The helpful hints on the keyboard plate also differed between machines.

Statistics and features:

CPU: CSG 6510

• 1 Mhz clock speed. RAM: 64 kilobytes

ROM: 20 kilobytes

• C64 Kernal
  • Download the C64 Kernal Rom
  • Download the 4064 Kernal Rom
• CBM Basic 2.0
  • Download the BASIC Rom Video: MOS 6569 "VIC-II"
• 320 x 200 Hi-Resolution
• 40 columns text
  • Download the Character ROM
• Palette of 16 colors.
• 14" Monochrome monitor Sound: MOS 6581 "SID"
• 3 voice stereo synthesizer/digital sound capabilities
• Internal speaker Ports: MOS 6526 CIA x2
• 2 Joystick/Mouse ports
• Round female DIN CBM Serial port
• Male edge-connector CBM Datasette port
• Male edge-connector parallel programmable "User" port
• Round DIN CBM Monitor port
• External "earphones" plug
• Female edge-connector C64 expansion port
• Power switch

Keyboard: Full-sized 62 key QWERTY

• 8 programmable function keys
• 4 direction 2-key cursor-pad
• Complete BASIC Reference on keyboard panel Resources:
• C64 Users Guide
• C64 Programmer's Reference
• View PLA info
• View the service manual
• View information about the VIC-II

**Personal Note:**For awhile, I was using the Educator for ROM image reading/burning. It's gone back into storage since then. The Educator was acquired via an eBay auction. The PET 64 came from the fabled George Page collection.

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