website/content/museum/commodore-max-machine-ultimax-vc-10.md

---
title: Commodore MAX Machine / Ultimax / VC-10
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1982'
cpus:
- MOS 6510
params:
  name: MAX Machine / Ultimax / VC-10
  company: /companies/commodore
  company_name: Commodore
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: MAX Machine / Ultimax / VC-10
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Commodore
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1982'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: MAX BASIC on cartridge
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: |-
      Flat membrane keyboard, 4 function keys, 2 arrow keys\
      <-, CONTROL, RUN/STOP, SHIFT LOCK, C=, SHIFT (x2), CLR HOME, INST/DEL, RESTORE, RETURN
  - label: CPU
    value: MOS 6510 (6502 compatible)
  - label: SPEED
    value: 1 Mhz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: SID (Sound chip), 6566 VIC-II (Video chip)
  - label: RAM
    value: 2.5 kb
  - label: ROM
    value: 2kb
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 x 25
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 320 x 200
  - label: COLORS
    value: '16'
  - label: SOUND
    value: 'SID (Sound Interface Device) : 3 voices, 9 octaves'
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Power in (DIN7), Audio output (minijack), Cartridge port, RF TV out, Cassette interface (bus), 2 x joystick connectors
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: 'External PSU : AC100v, 50/60Hz, 25VA / DC 5v 1.2A / AC 9v 0.45A'
  tabs:
  - photos
  - hardware
  - software
  - links
  photos:
  - title: MAX
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: MAX MACHINE
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: RIGHT SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: LEFT SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: BACK
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      From left-to-right:

      • On/off switch.\
      • Power-in (DIN7).\
      • Audio-out (mini-jack).\
      • Cartidge Slot.\
      • Channel Select Switch (Ch. 1/Ch. 2).\
      • TV RF-Out.\
      • Cassette Port.
    image: null
  - title: 'REAR #2'
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: MAX AND GAMES
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: 'BOX #1'
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: 'BOX #2'
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  hardware:
  - title: POWER SUPPLY
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The diagram above depicts the female DIN7 connector at the rear of the Commodore MAX.

      **(1)** 0V\
      **(2)** 0V\
      **(3)** NC\
      **(4)** +5V\
      **(5)** +5V\
      **(6)** AC 9V\
      **(7)** AC 9V
    image: null
  screenshots:
  - title: MOLE ATTACK
    subtitle: cartridge
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: ROAD RACE
    subtitle: Cartridge
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: GORF CARTRIDGE
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: KICKMAN
    subtitle: Screenshot
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: CLOWNS
    subtitle: Screenshot
    text: ''
    image: null
  links:
  - title: Commodore MAX
    url: http://go.to/cbmmax
    text: Well-designed website dedicated to the Commodore MAX.
  - title: The Commodore Gallery
    url: http://www.zimmers.net/cbmpics/cmax.html
    text: Interesting Commodore MAX website with schematics, technical information, and pictures.
  - title: The secret weapons of Commodore
    url: http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/ultimax.html
    text: Comprehensive website detailing the Commodore MAX.
  comments:
  - author: ThunderBlade (Germany)
    date: Friday 8th October 2021
    text: The statement that the MAX Machine can not do multi color is incorrect. I own a MAX Machine so I tried MAX BASIC and set bit 4 in $D016 to switch on multi color mode. It behaves exactly like on a C64, multi color mode goes on.
  - author: WEMEDIA (Italy)
    date: Saturday 6th May 2017
    text: |-
      Ira Velinsky designed MAX Machine, C116 and CBM-II line.\
      Then he moved to Atari where he made Portfolio and Stacy case.\
      I play Avenger for the MAX: best Space Invaders conversion ever, better than C64 version
  - author: RetroRoby (Luxemburg)
    date: Thursday 28th July 2011
    text: |-
      I''m searching also a Commodore Max not to expensif. But i don''t know where i can search for.\
      Can you help me please?

      Thank you and best regard RetroRoby
  - author: R.T.Dickinson (London)
    date: Sunday 28th August 2005
    text: I've just added a Japanese version of the Max to my Commodore computer collection. The P.S. is 110v and the display is NTSC. All the instructions are in Japanese. The unit came with all its original packaging and is in pristine condition and full working order. 4 games cartridges and a commodore basic cartridge was also included in the sale.
  oc_id: 40
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230417024942/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=40
    date: '2023-04-17'
---

The Commodore MAX was released after the [VIC 20](/museum/commodore-vic-20/) and at the same time as the [C64](/museum/commodore-c64/). It was intended to be Commodore’s low-end offering ($150-180), whereas the C64 was envisioned as a high-end product ($595).

The system was very inexpensive and lacked even basic features such a user expansion port. In reality, the MAX was a severely limited C64. Several MAX software titles could actually be run on the C64.

Some production models used the same video chip as the C64, while others used a 6566 (the NTSC C64 uses the 6567; the PAL C64 uses a 6569). Regardless of video chip, both variants offered only a single graphics resolution of 320x200 and could not utilize the ‘multi-color’ functions available on the C64 (unless you set bit 4 in $D016 in MAX BASIC). The SID sound chip is identical to the one found in its C64 cousin. BASIC was stored on cartridge rather than in ROM.

Though initially planned for world-wide release, the Commodore MAX was sold primarily in Japan. It was advertised in North America under the name **ULTIMAX**, as well as in Germany under the name **VC-10**.

Thanks to **Dr IDO** for some information.