CBM-600 series
| CBM-600 series | |
|---|---|
_A.jpg)
|
|
| Manufacturer | Commodore |
| Type | Business computer |
| publication | 1982 |
| End of production | 1984 |
| Factory price | ? DM |
| processor | MOS 6509 @ 2 MHz, optional coprocessor Zilog Z80A @ 4 MHz or Intel 8088 |
| random access memory | 128 KB |
| graphic | MOS 6545 CRTC, 80 characters per line, 25 lines of text resolution monochrome |
| Sound | MOS 6581 SID (3 × Osc, 4 × Wave, Filter, ADSR, Ring) |
| Disk | external |
| operating system | Commodore BASIC 4.0 |
| predecessor | CBM-8000 series |
| successor | - |
The computers of the CBM-600 series are microcomputers or personal computers from the early 1980s, shortly after the introduction of the IBM PC . They work internally with an 8-bit microprocessor - the IBM PC, however, came out in 1981 as a 16-bit computer.
The CBM 600 series was the more professional edition of the never-in-production CBM 500 series . In contrast to the 500s, it no longer had a joystick connection . With a daughter board , the computers could be equipped with an 8088 or Z80 processor in order to be able to run CP / M or MS-DOS programs.
As with the predecessors of the CBM-8000 series, the CBM floppy disk drives were used as mass storage devices .
As the market began to focus on the IBM PC and its replicas, these computers were no longer a great success. With a fairly comfortable BASIC - programming language equipped, but they were at certain points until the early 1990s important u. a. for controlling laboratory automation and measuring devices due to their IEEE-488 interface, which is hardly available in models from other manufacturers .
Furnishing
.jpg)
- Processor 6509 (20 address lines instead of 16 as with 6502)
- RAM 128 or 256 KB
- Power pack built-in, without fan (fan)
- Housing: injection-molded plastic, textured beige finish on the outside
- EIA-232 (RS232C) interface
- IEEE-488 interface
- Datasette connector
- Analog audio output (mono)
- Video output for TV and TTL monitor, BAS or composite signal
- Cartridge interface
Memory management
The entire memory is divided into so-called segments (or "banks"). Each of these segments has an address space of 64 Kbytes . A maximum of 16 such segments can be processed. These segments are numbered from 0 to 15. Each segment has a fixed meaning that (in part) depends on the implemented memory configuration.
For the CBM 610 with 128 KB, the following applies:
- Segment 1 contains the basic text, i.e. H. the programs used.
- Segment 2 is occupied by the data that are calculated by the program.
For models with 256 KB RAM, segment 1 is the same as the 128 KB models
- The fields (dimensions, arrays) are stored in segment 2.
- Segment 3 contains simple variables (non-indexed variables). In addition, space is reserved in this segment for the diskette operating system of any integrated drives.
- Segment 4 is occupied by the character strings that are created by the program.
In all models, segment 15 is used identically as the system segment . This contains the BASIC interpreter, the editor, the kernel (operating system), the I / O modules and the system information (zero page, etc.).
operating system
- BASIC v. 4.0 including RS232 access, if-then-else ...
- Options:
- CP / M 2.2 with the Zilog Z80 as a co-processor
- CP / M-86 or MS-DOS with the Intel 8088 (4.77 MHz) as coprocessor. Some coprocessor boards were sold to the Austrian authorities; further deliveries are not known.
Controller chips
- Sound, music MOS 6581 SID
- Serial interface MOS 6551 ACIA
- Keyboard MOS 6525 TPI
- IEEE, User MOS 6525 TPI
- User, interrupt MOS 6526 CIA
- Graphic MOS 6545 CRTC, 80 characters per line, 25 lines of text resolution monochrome
keyboard
- Full-fledged, robust QWERTY keyboard like the C 64 ,
- 10 function keys, with SHIFT another 10 (11–20),
- Direction buttons,
- Remote numeric keypad
software
In the English edition of the operator's manual (COMMODORE 500/600/700 SERIES USER'S GUIDE) from 1983 it can be read that many programs of the C-64 should be available for the Commodore-CBM-500 series. The programs of the CBM-8000 series should also be converted for the 600 series. Assembler and a BASIC compiler should also be available.
The following programs were planned:
- EasyCalc spreadsheet
- EasyFile database software
- EasyScript word processing
- EasySchedule appointment calendar
- EasyPlot graphics (painting) program
- EasySpell Thesaurus for word processing
In July 2016, "Space Chase" (www.spacechase.de) was released, a game programmed entirely in assembler, which takes full advantage of the capabilities of the CBM 600 and 700 series. The SID sound chip built into the computers is also used with music and sound effects from the SID composer "Max Hall". Space Chase is freeware.
Models
The model numbers were as follows:
- CBM 610 (Also B128 or B128-80) - 128 KB
- CBM 620 (Also B256 or B256-80 or B500) - 256 KB
- CBM 630 - 256 KB + daughter board
