website/content/museum/commodore-sx-dx-64-executive-computer.md

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params

title	categories	types	origins	years	cpus	params
Commodore SX/DX 64 - Executive computer	Computers	Transportable	U.S.A.	1983	6510	name company company_name specs tabs photos adverts hardware emulators links docs videos comments related oc_id source SX/DX 64 - Executive computer /companies/commodore Commodore label value NAME SX/DX 64 - Executive computer label value MANUFACTURER Commodore label value TYPE Transportable label value ORIGIN U.S.A. label value YEAR 1983 label value BUILT IN LANGUAGE SX-64 Basic v2.0 label value KEYBOARD Full-stroke detachable keyboard, 66 keys, 4 function keys label value CPU 6510 label value SPEED 1 Mhz label value CO-PROCESSOR VIC II (Video), SID (Sound) label value RAM 64k (38911 bytes free) label value ROM 20k label value TEXT MODES 40 chars. x 25 lines with 16 colors label value GRAPHIC MODES several, most used : 320 x 200 label value COLORS 16 label value SOUND 3 voices, 9 octaves, 4 waveforms label value SIZE / WEIGHT 36.8 (W) x 36.8 (D) x 12.7 (H) cm label value I/O PORTS 2 joystick sockets (Atari standard), cartridge slot, expansion port, serial, RGB video output, keyboard label value BUILT IN MEDIA SX-64 : 1 x 5''1/4 FDD\ DX-64 : 2 x 5''1/4 FDD label value POWER SUPPLY Built-in power supply unit label value PERIPHERALS Z80 card label value PRICE SX-64 : US$ 1000 (USA, may 1983) - £895 (U.K., 1984) photos adverts hardware emulators links docs videos title subtitle text image SX-64 #1 Special thanks to **Marc Horchler** who donated us the pictured computer null title subtitle text image SX-64 #2 null title subtitle text image SX-64 #3 null title subtitle text image FRONT null title subtitle text image RUNNING SYSTEM Same well known boot-up screen as the Commodore 64. null title subtitle text image CARTRIDGE SLOT null title subtitle text image FRONT BUTTONS These buttons, protected by a cover, allow video and sound adjustments, as well as the floppy drive reset. null title subtitle text image FRONT null title subtitle text image CLOSED #1 The cable you see below the computer is used to connect the detachable keyboard to the central unit. If you find a SX-64, make sure you get this cable as it is often missing. null title subtitle text image CLOSED #2 null title subtitle text image CLOSED #3 null title subtitle text image CLOSED #4 null title subtitle text image REAR PANEL From left to right :\ • 2 joystick DB9 sockets,\ • RGB video output DIN socket,\ • Serial DIN socket,\ • Expansion port,\ • Power in,\ • Fuse,\ • ON/OFF switch null title subtitle text image REAR #2 null title subtitle text image KEYBOARD null title subtitle text image UNCOVERED The upper plasic housing was replaced with a second floppy drive in the DX-64 version. null title subtitle text image INSIDE **(1)** Main CPU card\ **(2)** I/O card. The cartridge slot is connected to this card\ **(3)** Floppy drive controller card\ **(4)** Power supply unit\ **(5)** Video CRT card null title subtitle text image INSIDE CLOSE-UP null title subtitle text image COMMODORE LABEL Where we can see that this model was manufactured in Japan, in December 1983 null title subtitle text image SX500 The SX500 was an Amiga 500 cased into a SX64 chassis. Only a few prototypes were made, although the machines creator has 1 of them, often shown at Computer shows over in the states. It used the same case, as you can see where the top cartridge slot has been blocked off! About the SX-500, **Bob Eller** adds:\ Your SX-500 picture is a one of a kind computer built by Dale Luck, who was with the Amiga Los Gatos engineering team. As I understand it, he wanted a portable Amiga and put the machine in a gutted SX-64 case. Thanks to **Malcolm Ramage** - Picture from **www.retrobits.com** null title subtitle text image MIDI SYSTEM **John Tudder** sent us this amazing pictures along with the following comment:\ I made some great music and played live with this setup. All in a rack mount now. null title subtitle text image GPIB VERSION This special version held a GPIB interface controller. It was probably modified by a third company. null title subtitle text image US ADVERT This guy has so much power in his hands that he has attracted two girls (so far) in his swimming-pool ! Notice the classical symbol of the 80s adverts : the glass of orange juice with a straw... null title subtitle text image UK ADVERT (1984) Thanks to Tony Mattson for this picture null title subtitle text image NEW ZEALAND ADVERT dated February 1984 from Bits & Bytes magazine null title subtitle text image 1530 C2N Tape-recorder The classic Commodore tape-recorder ! /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_tape-recorder-1530-c2n_1.jpg title subtitle text image SONG PRODUCER from Moog MIDI interface with sequencer software plugged in an SX-64 computer. null title subtitle text image CMD SUPERCPU The SuperCPU by Creative Micro Devices is an accelerator cartridge for the Commodore 64. It contains an W65C816S processor running at 20 MHz, providing 20 times the performance of the stock 6510 processor! CMD later added a SuperRAM Card option that could include up to 16 MB of additional memory. There is also a v2 version that offers native 128 mode support (also called SuperCPU/128). It is one of the most sought-after Commodore peripherals. Thomas Conté /media/museum/hardware/c64_supercpu.jpg title subtitle text image CMD RAMLINK This RAM expansion unit by Creative Micro Devices was intended to be used as a RAM drive to accelerate disk access. It is externally powered, and thus will preserve the data even when the computer is turned off. Thomas Conté /media/museum/hardware/c64_cmd_ramlink.jpg title subtitle text image FLOPPY DISK UNIT 1540-1541 It is connected to the C64 via a serial link.\ It is very very slow and can store 170 kb per disk. /media/museum/hardware/commodore-diskdrive_1540_1.jpg title subtitle text image QUICK DATA DRIVE **Cheaper and faster than diskettes.** This Quick Data Drive from Dean Electronics is dedicated to Commodore 64 and <$252$>Vic 20 systems. It uses a special tape called 'Wafer', of 16, 64 or 128 Kb capacity. This wafer was also used by a product marketed for the <$223$>Sinclair Spectrum, called Wafadrive. Various tests proved that the Q.D.D. was approximately 20 times faster than a normal cassette recorder and 2 or 3 times faster than the Commodore 1541 disk drive. The reason : data transfer routines (called QOS) much more efficient than those of Commodore, and a file management operating system (FMU) much more modern and powerful. The Q.D.D. is however not more than an advanced tape recorder using a magnetic tape, and the delay to access a specific file still remains higher than with a normal disk drive. Despite its qualities, the Q.D.D. did not meet success because most C64 software was sold on disks or tapes and users had to acquire both Commodore peripherals before investing in a third powerful storage system. /media/museum/hardware/commodore_64_quick_data_1.jpg title subtitle text image CMD HD-20 20Mb hard-drive This is a hard drive for the C64 or 128. SWAP-Devicenumber-Buttons let the HD become drive 8 or 9. It can create sub-directories and partitions, including 1541 emulation. /media/museum/hardware/commodore_c64_cmd-hd20_1.jpg title subtitle text image VICMODEM Advert You could already send emails !! /media/museum/hardware/commodore_vicmodem_pub_1.jpg title subtitle text image WERSIBOARD MUSIC 64 Thomas Conté /media/museum/hardware/c64_wersiboard.jpg title subtitle text image MODEL 1525 It can print all the semi graphic characters of the C64. (30 characters per second) /media/museum/hardware/commodore_printer_1525_1.jpg title url platform text CCS64 http://www.ccs64.com/ Windows The best C64 emulator for the PC title url platform text Free64 http://www.umr.edu/~bmartin/ Windows A Freeware emulator for MS DOS title url platform text MESS http://www.mess.org Windows This fantastic emulator can emulate the mlost of the 8-bit Commodore systems title url platform text Win 64 http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Park/6558/win64.htm Windows The Best C64 Emulator for Win95 / WinNT title url platform text Win64 http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/park/6558/win64.htm Windows Good Commodore 64 for Windows title url platform text Mac Frodo http://internetter.com/titan/macfrodo/ Apple The MAC OS version of Frodo, one of the best C64 Emulator title url platform text Power 64 http://www.infinite-loop.at/Power64/index.html Apple Emulator for PPC Macintoshes title url platform text SID PLay http://stud1.tuwien.ac.at/~e9426444/sidplay/ Apple A player for C64 Musics title url platform text ccs http://www.funet.fi/pub/cbm/crossplatform/emulators/unix/ Unix / Linux C64 emulator for Unix title url platform text Frodo for Amiga OS http://www.uni-mainz.de/~bauec002/FRMain.html Amiga OS The best C64 Emulator for Amiga title url platform text VICE for Amiga OS4 http://amidog.se/amiga/vice/ Amiga OS This AmigaOS4 version is ported by Mathias "AmiDog" Roslund title url platform text c64.gr http://www.c64.gr/ Other platform C64 online emulator. Play favorite games in your browser! title url platform text C-ONE http://c64upgra.de/c-one/ Other platform Hardware emulator (re-configurable computer) title url platform text Frodo for PalmOS http://frodopalm.sourceforge.net/ Other platform Frodo for PalmOS title url platform text VICE http://viceteam.bei.t-online.de/ Other platform Emulates the C64, C128, VIC20, all the PET models and the CBM-II under Unix, MS-DOS, Win95/NT, OS/2, Acorn RISC OS or BeOS !! title url platform text Web C64 http://www.dreamfabric.com/c64/ Other platform The 64 as a Java applet in your Browser. Excellent ! title url platform text C=64 Emulator for OS/2 Full Screen http://home.hccnet.nl/w.m.brul/emulator/index.html OS2 Freeware emulator for OS/2 title url text C64.COM http://www.c64.com/ Excellent and beautifully designed site, full of games to download. A must title url text c64.gr http://www.c64.gr/ C64 online emulator. Play favorite games in your browser! title url text c64files.com :: the ultimate C64 portal! http://www.c64files.com/ News, Gaming, Music, Museum, Links etc. title url text Commodore 64 - http://folkvagn.commodore64.org Info about the C64 and successors, C64 emulators and the SID chip. Also contains C64 programs and a forum. In Swedish only. title url text Commodore 64 Game Endings http://www.c64endings.co.uk/ All your fave C64 game endings under one roof. title url text Commodore 64 Nostalgia http://www.staggs.pair.com/c64/ title url text Commodore Scene Magazine and Importing Service http://www.commodorescene.org.uk/ New publications, hardware and software for the Commodore 128/128d and C64 title url text Commodore Service Manuals http://www.devili.iki.fi/Computers/Commodore/ Commodore Service Manuals & other stuff title url text Commodore-64 Programmer's Library http://home.comcast.net/~c64proglib many of Robert Baker's early original magazine articles, programs and programming tips (not free) title url text Commodore-related Net Resources http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/netresources.html title url text Good Old Games http://speccy.altervista.org/ Many games with screenshot comparisons, download and magazines title url text Greg and David's C64 Web page http://www.ozemail.com.au/~gvincent/ title url text HV C64 CD's - The ultimate CD set full of software for the C64 http://www.talent.demon.co.uk/64/ title url text LEMON 64 http://www.lemon64.com/ The source for all Your Commodore 64 Gaming and News needs ! Quite impressive !!! title url text Mayhem64 http://www.mayhem64.co.uk/main.htm For all your C64 cartridge needs... and more! title url text Remixes of music from C-64 games http://remix.kwed.org Hear the tunes from your fav C64 games like you've never heard them before! title url text Stadium 64 http://s64.emuunlim.com/ Are you a sportgaming fan? Then this site is definitely for you! Over 1000 sportgames available for download. Lots of manuals, reviews, covers, adverts, screenshots, hints&tips, world records + a lot more! title url text The Commodore 8-bit WWW server http://www.hut.fi/~msmakela/cbm/ title url text The Secrets Weapons of Commodore http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/ckb/secret/ Awesome website ! Presents all the weird systems imagined by Commodore. title url text The Star Commander homepage http://sta.c64.org/sc.html title url text Web Wiz CAPTCHA http://www.webwizcaptcha.com This is a bulletin board run on a Commodore 64! title url cover text COMMODORE SX-64 USER'S GUIDE null null **COMMODORE SX-64 USER'S GUIDE**\ written by Commodore  compiled/archived by Russ Riebel\  type of document : Online reader **... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :** title url text C64 assembly line pictures! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vzfJLVS2YI Length: 6 min 56 s author date text AB PP (USA) Tuesday 28th November 2017 I want one. I am willing to pay up to $100 for it. Let me know! author date text Silent-Hunter (USA) Friday 10th October 2014 I have one of these, it is very nice! The only issue is a timing problem with the cartridge port, preventing me from using the MicroSD card reader I bought for it. author date text Shorrdan Saturday 17th December 2011 It is in perfect condition. There are no bugs no errors and has all of it''s parts. No scratches no dents perfect condition. author date text Shorrdan (california) Saturday 17th December 2011 I am willing to sell my commodore 64 for $1000 minimum price max price is $2000 author date text M Phinney Sunday 28th August 2011 I have one of these for Sale, everything seems to work, can supply pictures and info, also have other old computers as well. Sx-64 $1000 plus actual shipping\ Paypal only\ mac@maltam.com author date text Mike (Kingwood, TX) Saturday 23rd April 2011 I have one of these for sale but I don''t know if I trust shipping it, not to mention the shipping cost but if anyone in the Houston area wants one... http://houston.craigslist.org/sys/2341598316.html author date text Joshq Wednesday 20th April 2011 I''d buy one of those! author date text commodore 64 Thursday 9th September 2010 yeah, i wouldn''t mind having one if i can get one at a decent price with everything working. back then, it was the holy grail of everything c64. author date text Mr. Commodore (Atari Land) Saturday 14th February 2009 I''m scared to the Z80 of 2 things:\ Computer Viruses and spiders\ Emulators realy make me chew my fingernails, I had to buy my own copy of windows for my computer and I do NOT want to have to wipe the windows partition of my Mac... That would be $200 and 4 months of mowing lawns, shoveling leaves and blowing snow down the so very unforgiving drain. :(\ Back to the point can any of you fellow computer nerds help me find an emulator that I KNOW I can trust? I need it to be small because I have the "You are running out of disk space, click on this message to have windows $ the presious non-replaceable files you collected over a period of 1 year" message popping up whenever I start Windows. All sugestions are welcome, Thanks! (sorry i ramble sometimes) author date text FATAL EROR! (england county durham) Tuesday 3rd October 2006 do they have a battery if so what is the battery life like on them? if not can you rig one up for it? author date text Dave (USA) Friday 11th August 2006 (Sigh!) I was lucky enough to own an SX-64 back when the Commodore 64 was still very popular. With a bit of skill, the SX-64 could be nicely modified into a dream machine that caught everyone's attention at computer user group meetings. First, I remember that there was a commercial hardware product called the SX-Flash, which was a truely transparant speed-up mod that worked with all games, plus added some nice fast dos commands (fast load cartridges were good, but they didn't work with some copy protected games). Second, there were some great home-grown modifications that could be done, with nice places to hide the switches. We added a drive number selector switch so that the built in drive could be device 8 or 9, complete with an LED number display mounted flush right next to the drive in the area between the drive and monitor. We also added a write-protect always on/off toggle switch for the drive and mounted a flush red/green LED in the same area. (This was specifically for one guy in the user's group who had a bad habit of not keeping the source & destination drives straight and copying his blanks onto others' software disks.) I was software librarian and finally found an SFD Dual Drive. This was one of the best drives ever made for the C-64 family and it made the SX-64 the perfect portable disk duplicator for club meetings. author date text eror (?) Thursday 27th July 2006 im after one author date text Jae (US) Thursday 7th April 2005 I have a sx 64 from a friend that works, but didn't come with a keyboard cable. A straight db25 female cable will work, you just have to get the cable to fit in the recess. The pins are not actually narrower, it just looks that way. author date text Søren Peo Pedersen (Greve, Denmark) Wednesday 15th December 2004 My first computer was an SX-64 as shown on the exhibit page. Rare as they go, mine was even rigged by the danish branch of Commodore to have danish letters (Æ/æ, Ø/ø and Å/å) on both keyboard and on screen. Here are a few tips about it: The floppy drive on the executive will work on pretty much any 5.25" floppies that you can get hold of. For info on using the machine and it's built-in Basic and OS, search the Net for info on the Commodore 64. There's both the user manual and the in-depth "Programmer's Reference Guide" - read these as if you had a "regular" Commodore 64 rigged up with a 1541 floppy disk drive and a monitor. The only things that don't apply to the Executive, is the use of the "Datasette" and casette tape storage. Beware of expansions that go into the "User Port" at the rear of this machine. In at least the SX, one side of the 9 V AC available at the user port is connected to the DC ground, whereas in the Commodore 64, the same 9 V AC supply is electrically "floating" relative to the DC.\ So things like e.g. RS232 interfaces, designed for the user port on a Commodore 64, might fry either itself or the (supposedly compatible) machine if plugged into an Executive 64... About the keyboard cable: Allthough the connectors in the keyboard and on the main unit may look like standard DB25 females, they are not - at least the spacing between the two rows of pins are narrower than standard.\ In case you consider replacing the connectors with standard DB-25's and soldering your own keyboard cable: I'm not perfectly sure about it, but as far as I recall from hunting down a "flaky" connection in my cable, most (if not all) of the wires go straght through, from pin #n on the keyboard, to the same pin #n at the main unit (numbering just as if they were DB-25's). author date text Steve (England) Tuesday 2nd November 2004 Hi, I have an dm sx64, does anybody know anything about these. I cant find anything about it on the net and it's the only one i have ever come across on ebay, is this an increadibly rare machine?????? author date text titanshea (Tennessee) Tuesday 21st September 2004 I am looking for a keyboard cable for my sx-64 author date text dale (uk) Sunday 8th February 2004 i have an sx 64 with the keyboard cable but no keyboard can any one help????? i have had it for years and ut works perfectly on cartridge games. author date text Simon (Milan, Italy) Thursday 9th January 2003 Hi Team,\ i'm looking for the current used price for this wonderful C64/EX ! any idea ?\ Simon /museum/commodore-c128-c128d /museum/commodore-c64 /museum/commodore-c64-aldi /museum/commodore-c64-golden-jubilee /museum/commodore-c64c /museum/commodore-c64g /museum/commodore-educator-64 /museum/commodore-lcd /museum/commodore-vic-1001 /museum/eds-c64-edc 524 url date https://web.archive.org/web/20230205011417/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=524 2023-02-05

The SX/DX 64 is the "laptop version" (though hardly portable) of the C64. This computer has a built-in 5" color screen (just about enough for the eyes), a detachable keyboard with new functions, and one or two 5.25" floppy disk drives (the famous 1541), depending on the model.

The DX-64 and the SX-100 (SX-64 with black & white monitor) were first announced in January 1983 but the SX-100 never made it to the shelves and was replaced by the SX-64 later that year.

One important feature is that the SX/DX-64 lacks a cassette interface ! People who upgraded from the classic C64 couldn't play their games stored on tapes ! Some programs that used the tape buffer for storage (of sprites say) had problems too.
The cartridge slot is found on top of the case, and there is a sound speaker inside the unit (unlike the C64).

The DX-64 has the same characteristics as the SX64 except its two 5.25" floppy disk drives instead of one. A very small quantity was produced. It was probably never sold but only used by Commodore insiders.

The SX64 and DX64 computers never had success, probably because of higher selling prices, but were known as the world's first color portables.

The SX64 was not the only machine that Commodore made in this chassis, there was also the SX500, which was an Amiga in the SX case (see 'More pictures').