IowaVideoGuy/Shutterstock Younger generations weren’t around when the best-selling desktop computer of all time was launched. Officially recognized by Guinness World Records, the Commodore 64 (C64) arrived amid much intrigue in 1982 as an affordable desktop computer for home users. After becoming something of a sensation in the 1980s with millions of sales, the C64 helped transform personal computers into everyday devices, normalizing the idea of having a personal computer in the living room for activities such as gaming, learning, creative experimentation, and even early online communications. Manufactured by the American company Commodore International and launched for $595 (about $2,000 in today’s money), the C64 had a distinctive look, with its chunky beige plastic case and red power button, giving it a simple but unmistakable appearance of a home computer from the 1980s. The name derived from its 64 kilobytes of RAM – powerful at the time but meager by today’s standards when you consider that, say, Apple’s current MacBook Air contains 16 GB of RAM. Although it is widely believed that the C64 sold in the millions to become the best-selling home computer of all time, there is some confusion over the exact numbers. While Commodore founder Jack Tramiel claimed that the C64 had sold between 22 and 30 million units before the company folded in 1994, Commodore officially listed the figure at 17 million. Guinness, however, estimates this figure at around 12.5 million units, describing this figure as a “credible modern estimate”. While modern computers like the MacBook Pro have sold in greater numbers as a product line, the C64’s sales performance was astonishing for a single computer model. What made the Commodore 64 so popular? Jiblet/Getty Images What was so special about the C64 that helped it become an 80s icon? Competitive pricing was clearly a factor, with its main rival in the United States, the Atari 400/800 line, being sold at a significantly higher price. This was also helped by the fact that you could connect it to your TV, eliminating the need to fork out extra for an expensive monitor. It also packed a punch in its day, with its powerful VIC‑II graphics and SID sound chips setting it apart from the competition. Everything was in place for the C64 ecosystem to grow rapidly and it quickly offered a wide selection of games, educational titles and productivity tools to everyone from curious parents and children to creatives and hobbyists. The cultural impact of the C64 should not be underestimated either. To begin with, the computer’s built-in BASIC programming language, which allowed users to write and run simple programs directly on the machine, created a generation of home coders. The C64 was also a pioneer in PC gaming and became the catalyst for a vibrant demonstration scene where enthusiasts pushed the computer to its limits in public competitions. It’s certainly no exaggeration to say that the culture surrounding the C64 directly influenced later indie gaming and creative coding communities. The Commodore 64 is back…sort of Anyone who remembers and loved the C64 probably knows that the popular machine has recently come back… sort of. After acquiring the Commodore brand in 2025, a new team built the Commodore 64 Ultimate, available in three styles – including its traditional look – for $300. More powerful than the original (thank goodness!), the revamped machine is capable of running classic software on a faithful replica of the original motherboard. To bring it well and truly into the 21st century, the C64 Ultimate features HDMI and USB ports, Wi-Fi connectivity and additional memory. Buyers also receive a spiral-bound user’s guide and a 64GB USB “cassette” drive containing over 100 classic and new games. The C64 Ultimate has been very warmly received by tech reviewers, with TechRadar, for example, giving it a 4.5/5 rating, calling it a “near perfect replication of the original system.” However, he added that the machine could be “intimidating” for those coming to it for the first time. We don’t think it’s going to break its predecessor’s sales record, but the C64 Ultimate could prove a hit with nostalgic C64 fans and retro gaming enthusiasts, as well as curious people who just want to see what all the fuss is about. Post navigation Xbox Mode turns your PC into a console, but it can’t hide Windows 11 bloat
IowaVideoGuy/Shutterstock Younger generations weren’t around when the best-selling desktop computer of all time was launched. Officially recognized by Guinness World Records, the Commodore 64 (C64) arrived amid much intrigue in 1982 as an affordable desktop computer for home users. After becoming something of a sensation in the 1980s with millions of sales, the C64 helped transform personal computers into everyday devices, normalizing the idea of having a personal computer in the living room for activities such as gaming, learning, creative experimentation, and even early online communications. Manufactured by the American company Commodore International and launched for $595 (about $2,000 in today’s money), the C64 had a distinctive look, with its chunky beige plastic case and red power button, giving it a simple but unmistakable appearance of a home computer from the 1980s. The name derived from its 64 kilobytes of RAM – powerful at the time but meager by today’s standards when you consider that, say, Apple’s current MacBook Air contains 16 GB of RAM. Although it is widely believed that the C64 sold in the millions to become the best-selling home computer of all time, there is some confusion over the exact numbers. While Commodore founder Jack Tramiel claimed that the C64 had sold between 22 and 30 million units before the company folded in 1994, Commodore officially listed the figure at 17 million. Guinness, however, estimates this figure at around 12.5 million units, describing this figure as a “credible modern estimate”. While modern computers like the MacBook Pro have sold in greater numbers as a product line, the C64’s sales performance was astonishing for a single computer model. What made the Commodore 64 so popular? Jiblet/Getty Images What was so special about the C64 that helped it become an 80s icon? Competitive pricing was clearly a factor, with its main rival in the United States, the Atari 400/800 line, being sold at a significantly higher price. This was also helped by the fact that you could connect it to your TV, eliminating the need to fork out extra for an expensive monitor. It also packed a punch in its day, with its powerful VIC‑II graphics and SID sound chips setting it apart from the competition. Everything was in place for the C64 ecosystem to grow rapidly and it quickly offered a wide selection of games, educational titles and productivity tools to everyone from curious parents and children to creatives and hobbyists. The cultural impact of the C64 should not be underestimated either. To begin with, the computer’s built-in BASIC programming language, which allowed users to write and run simple programs directly on the machine, created a generation of home coders. The C64 was also a pioneer in PC gaming and became the catalyst for a vibrant demonstration scene where enthusiasts pushed the computer to its limits in public competitions. It’s certainly no exaggeration to say that the culture surrounding the C64 directly influenced later indie gaming and creative coding communities. The Commodore 64 is back…sort of Anyone who remembers and loved the C64 probably knows that the popular machine has recently come back… sort of. After acquiring the Commodore brand in 2025, a new team built the Commodore 64 Ultimate, available in three styles – including its traditional look – for $300. More powerful than the original (thank goodness!), the revamped machine is capable of running classic software on a faithful replica of the original motherboard. To bring it well and truly into the 21st century, the C64 Ultimate features HDMI and USB ports, Wi-Fi connectivity and additional memory. Buyers also receive a spiral-bound user’s guide and a 64GB USB “cassette” drive containing over 100 classic and new games. The C64 Ultimate has been very warmly received by tech reviewers, with TechRadar, for example, giving it a 4.5/5 rating, calling it a “near perfect replication of the original system.” However, he added that the machine could be “intimidating” for those coming to it for the first time. We don’t think it’s going to break its predecessor’s sales record, but the C64 Ultimate could prove a hit with nostalgic C64 fans and retro gaming enthusiasts, as well as curious people who just want to see what all the fuss is about.
