The Commodore 64 rises from the ashes

One of the earliest and most popular computer models ever is about to make a comeback.

Introduced in 1982, the Commodore 64 sold 30 million units over the next dozen years. Its graphics capabilities made it popular with gamers; at least 10,000 software titles, including games and business applications, were developed for the computer.

But the company folded, and the model became a nostalgia piece, its early fans resorting to running 64 games on emulators.

Now, CBS Station KYW correspondent Bob Bicknell reports, the Commodore 64 is arising from the ashes in a new version named, appropriately, Phoenix.

Commodoreusa.net is now selling new versions of the "computer in a keyboard" design, though with added extras not available in 1982, such as Intel Pentium processors, a DVD drive, wireless Ethernet and USB ports.

And whereas the classic 64 held a hefty 64 KB of RAM, the Phoenix runs on more than 4 GB, and can store 2 TB.

The Phoenix runs Microsoft Windows 7 or Ubuntu (Linux).

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Commodore USA also has other models available, including the Invictus (which sports a touchpad) and Amigo. Prices start at $475 for a bare-bones model, topping out at $1,300.

For more info:
c64.com (Commodore 64 Fan Site)