@thread

Some early sales figures from patreon

More complete posting referred to in link above

#6

Last edited by number6 on 13-Jul-2025 at 12:04 PM.

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BigD Quote:

£220+ for another C64? Didn't C= try that with the C128 and C65? Why is this better than the RGL THEC64 which is around £130? That's one hell of a C= tax! I get it, computing was less distracting when we just had a Basic screen on booting but you are paying through the nose for this! Built on pure nostalgia! I'd prefer a new Vectrex!

The Commodore C64U is quality FPGA hardware with new enhancements and legacy hardware support developed by Gideon Zweijtzer years ago and sold or licensed to the new Commodore and rebranded.

https://ultimate64.com/
https://ultimate64.com/Ultimate-64-Elite-MK2

The new Commodore was receiving criticism from the C64 community as the people behind the less faithful Commodore C64X with x86-64 hardware in a C64 case purchased the Commodore IP. The own website based pre-order system for the C64U instead of using more common crowd funding services like Kickstarter allows lower prices and Commodore is hoping the new branding and social media exposure will allow larger quantity production to lower the cost. The new C64U, pre-order system which takes money when ordering instead of when shipping (but is transparent about it) and lower prices have been generally well received by the C64 community. The RGL THEC64 Mini and Maxi were also well received by the C64 community even though they are emulation as they were cheap and had new features. They are out of production and prices of THEC64 Maxi have increased to nearly the price of the C64U basic. Most C64 fans would prefer the C64U but price is important and many fans already have original C64s, THEC64 Maxi, C64 Forever emulation, RPi retro emulation, MiSTer FPGA simulation, etc. so it will be interesting to see how well is sells. So far, it is looking more niche for collectors than having mass market potential as the most expensive gold founder's edition with 642 pre-orders is not far behind the cheapest standard edition with 831 pre-orders. I expect the RGL THEA1200 with FPGA as rumored and priced at ~$200 USD would sell much better but it will still be far from an ultimate 68k Amiga and will not be fully cost reduced. It should be possible to mass produce an A1200 with RPi 3-4 performance, modern features and some legacy hardware support for close to the magical $100 USD price point. Even the C64U or MEGA65 may not be the ultimate C64 which may remain the C64DTV Jeri Ellsworth developed, now Technical Advisor & Hardware Partner at the new Commodore, that sold 70,000 units on the first day of release. It was fully cost reduced into an ASIC SoC and sold before C64 popularity peaked. Even the window of opportunity to fully cost reduce and mass produce the later 68k Amiga may be closing. Another Trevor lost decade of non-faithful Amiga hardware that the Amiga community rejects while market protectionism keeps out competitors would end the chances of an ultimate 68k Amiga.

Edit: There are some minor updates to the Commodore team page.

https://www.commodore.net/team

Last edited by matthey on 13-Jul-2025 at 06:11 PM.

@matthey

Yep.

After the announcement about distribution centers in U.K. and EU, that entry makes sense.

(and the other and the changes)

#6

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@matthey

Chief Tramiel Officer!

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@thread

Patreon outlines some of the changes on "Team" page

#6

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I keep coming back to this page.

Commodore 64 Ultimate presales in real time

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@mbrantley

Hi old friend.

Indeed that link gets posted on Lemon64 whenever there is a significant bump in sales.

Take care,

#6

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@mbrantley

"Commodore 64 Ultimate presales"

Impressive numbers, I bought a "64 Ultimate Elite" so,me years ago, I have built it into a C64II case installed everything but didn't do much with it.

I'm surprised how much customers they got now, bundling with a C64 case might have helped but the C= Logo might have done even more.

@thread

The Compute Gazette relaunch covering Commodore (obviously)

Should be interesting to see what happens after this circulates and whether it generates some "word of mouth".

#6

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@OneTimer1

Quote:

Impressive numbers, I bought a "64 Ultimate Elite" so,me years ago, I have built it into a C64II case installed everything but didn't do much with it.

I also got an Ultimate 64 board a few years ago and used it to bring a broken old C64C back to new life. I put two SIDs in it (one from the broken machine, the other from another) and have enjoyed using the U64 as a SID tunes player mostly, with some games too now and again.

Quote:

I'm surprised how much customers they got now, bundling with a C64 case might have helped but the C= Logo might have done even more.

These preorder sales numbers are quite impressive -- more than 1,000 a day so far. I feel the fever coming on and may get one of these offering as well. In photographer circles we call this GAS -- Gear Aquisition Syndrome. I have it bad sometimes. ;)

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OneTimer1 Quote:

"Commodore 64 Ultimate presales" Impressive numbers, I bought a "64 Ultimate Elite" some years ago, I have built it into a C64II case installed everything but didn't do much with it. I'm surprised how much customers they got now, bundling with a C64 case might have helped but the C= Logo might have done even more.

I think the numbers are good for the Commodore 64U for what it is but it is not the killer product that will bring back Commodore. The price is too high and it ends up in the niche market for strong retro C64 enthusiasts instead of appealing to toy and general hobbyist markets. Some retro C64 enthusiasts already had the "64 Ultimate Elite" like you. Despite the ultimate name, some C64 retro enthusiasts may already have a MEGA65 or MiSTer in a C64 case which they consider to be ultimate instead. It is not like where an ultimate 68k Amiga could claim practically the whole Amiga hardware market. The lower price and assembled C64U makes it more accessible for more people and the C= logo is the frosting on the cake. All these things add value and have synergies together.

The big win for Peri is gaining the Commodore 64 community support. He is listening, involving and gaining support from old Commodore/Amiga employees and newer devs/partners. It appears that he is building where the Hyperion A-EonKit syndicate operates in the shadows, is oppressive and protective of their products/IP while expanding into others' IP, has minimal support or involvement from former Commodore/Amiga people and they have lost most of the Amiga community support turning PPC AmigaNOne into an arrogant elitist cult for a few thousand rare bastard embedded hardware "collectors" while attempting to stop RGL 68k Amiga hardware toys that sell hundreds of thousands of units. They have had a broken business model for a decade for Trevor's fantasy Amiga Neverland and Amiga lost decade. Peri is a big upgrade from the Hyperion A-EonKit syndicate amateurs so far and he lacks business experience but he is not blind, listens and uses his brain in his fantasy land which is much more likely to turn fantasy into reality.

#6 Quote:

The Compute Gazette relaunch covering Commodore (obviously) Should be interesting to see what happens after this circulates and whether it generates some "word of mouth".

The latest change of Leonard Tramiel from CTO to CTrO did not make it in time for the issue.

https://www.computesgazette.com/Digital/Volume1/GAZETTE%20JULY%202025%20Free%20Edition.pdf Quote:

This transition is led by a team with unmatched real-world experience and proven success. Deep engineering know-how, strong creative guidance, steady support leadership, extensive business insight, forward-looking technical vision , and decisive manufacturing management put the brand in its most capable hands in decades. More former staff are in talks to join, and Commodore founder Jack Tramiel's son Leonard Tramiel even gave the venture his full endorsement recently in a meeting with Peri Fractic, requesting to be listed on the Commodore website as "CTO". Chief Tramiel Officer.

I found the next paragraph more interesting.

https://www.computesgazette.com/Digital/Volume1/GAZETTE%20JULY%202025%20Free%20Edition.pdf Quote:

The decision to bring former Commodore personnel onboard is pivotal, establishing a direct link to the original company's DNA. David Pleasance's decade of leadership — which saw Commodore UK become the top global subsidiary, growing turnover from $20M to $55M across 35 countries and earning him the role of Vice President for Commodore Inc. USA — provides invaluable business wisdom. Crucially, this team's experience working directly alongside Jack Tramiel creates a unique opportunity for new CEO Peri Fractic to channel the founder's legendary approach by constantly asking, "What would Jack do?"

I hope the new Commodore does not do as Jack would do. Jack was hard headed, narcissistic (demanded complete loyalty) and his "business is war" strategy made more enemies than allies. Most businesses and employees did not want to deal with Jack which was a big reason for the failure of Commodore/Amiga in North America and carried over to the new Commodore management, even after he was booted. Good business partners and employees are valuable and should share in success. Jack did understand the importance of competing which is where more of his success came from. Exiting the typewriter business and entering the computer market, buying MOS and undercutting the Amiga on price with the Atari ST demonstrate his competitiveness. He understood aggressive cost reducing and economies of scale which the current divided Commodore/Amiga hardware market needs to be competitive. Eben Upton CEO of RPi also aggressively cost reduced and leveraged economies of scale to create the modern day equivalent of Commodore.

@matthey

Quote:

matthey wrote: I think the numbers are good for the Commodore 64U for what it is but it is not the killer product that will bring back Commodore. The price is too high ...

Ack!

It's a retro product, bringing back Commodore would mean something completely different. Commodore was selling up to date Personal Computers and Home Computers when they where active.

If they would exist like they where back than, they would sell x86-64 or maybe ARM hardware, cheap hardware including Laptops, Tablets and Mobile Phones without or without own OS based on Linux, maybe they would only exist as rebadging and marketing company.

You can specialize on keyboard computers like the C64 (with all it technological downs) but the breadbox design is mainly retro and to bulky for actual users.

@OneTimer1

Quote:

It's a retro product, bringing back Commodore would mean something completely different. Commodore was selling up to date Personal Computers and Home Computers when they where active.

There is lots of revisionist history in the marketing blurb. "...is the company's first hardware release in over 30 years!"

Drivel!



That looks like hardware to me! And a new product not a FPGA version of their last world beating product (at the risk or ignoring the Amiga on an Amiga forum)!

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@OneTimer1

It is not like Commodore Gaming/Commodore International Corporation attempted leveraging the brand in 2005 did they?! Oh course they did and they pushed forward rather than looking back too!



More of the same please!

Last edited by BigD on 15-Jul-2025 at 10:25 AM.

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@BigD

Well look what Apple did:

- remove the color from their label
- not beige ( silver metallic ?)
- making the label bigger ( like on the spray painted tower above )

You may take an Apple product, replace the Apple Logo with 'C=' and make it look a bit cheaper and you got a Commodore product.

Last edited by OneTimer1 on 15-Jul-2025 at 12:39 PM.

@OneTimer1

I expect the same tactics as Apple to be used by Christian and Co. once they realise the cost of everything especially defending the trademark! C= tax plus bold colours plus T-Shirts, stickers and an Amiga in a joystick if they can navigate the legal problems and get the licensing!

Relaunching the C= USA Amiga Mini case would also be great! Better than the Walker case in my eyes!

Last edited by BigD on 15-Jul-2025 at 12:38 PM.

_________________
"Art challenges technology. Technology inspires the art."
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@OneTimer1

Hilarious! Similar headline! Jounalistic click bait!

https://www.wirefresh.com/commodore-amiga-is-back-with-its-first-new-pc-for-20-years-and-its-a-beast/

_________________
"Art challenges technology. Technology inspires the art."
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@OneTimer1

I'm sure the Chief Tramiel Officer will be recommending stacking these sort of products high and selling them cheap!

_________________
"Art challenges technology. Technology inspires the art."
John Lasseter, Co-Founder of Pixar Animation Studios

Quote:

BigD wrote: Relaunching the C= USA Amiga Mini case would also be great! Better than the Walker case in my eyes!

Yes, that might have been the design of an actual Amiga, if the company wouldn't had gone bankrupt in 1995. I can't blame Cusa for announcing it, I don't know if it would still have a DVD drive.









































https://www.testsieger.de/mini-pcs/8C9JCS24Z8587-awow-ha7-gaming-mini-pc-amd-ryzen-7-7840hs-32-gb-ddr5-5600-mhz-ram-1tb-m2-nvm-essd-4k-triple-display-wifi6-25g-lan-mini-gaming-pc.html












































https://www.testsieger.de/mini-pcs/2C6VCSV2VY2N5-nipogi-am16-mini-pc-d-ryzen-5-pro-5675u-16gb-ram-512gb-ssd-wifi6bt52-triple-display-4k60hz-space-gray.html

Last edited by OneTimer1 on 15-Jul-2025 at 01:03 PM.

@BigD

subject:
https://amigaworld.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=45508&start=200&post_id=880209&order=0&viewmode=flat&pid=880207&forum=16#880207

The pattern in gold and brown would make a nice overpriced bag for the wife of a C= fan.

Last edited by OneTimer1 on 15-Jul-2025 at 01:01 PM.