Commodore 900

Commodore 900
Also known asC900, Z-8000, Z-Machine
DeveloperCommodore
ManufacturerCommodore
TypeDesktop
Units shippedFifty prototypes built
Media1.2 MB 5.25" floppy disks[1]
Operating systemCoherent
CPUZilog Z8001 @ 10 MHz[1]
Memory512 KB RAM[1]
Storage20 MB hard drive[1]
Display1024×800
GraphicsMOS Technology 8563
SoundNone
PredecessorCommodore PET

The Commodore 900 (also known as the C900, Z-8000, and Z-Machine)[2][3] was a prototype microcomputer originally intended for business computing and, later, as an affordable UNIX workstation.[4][5][6] It was to replace the aging PET/CBM families of personal computers that had found success in Europe as business machines. The project was initiated in 1983 by Commodore systems engineers Frank W. Hughes, Robert Russell, and Shiraz Shivji.[7]

In early 1983, Commodore announced an agreement with Zilog to adopt the Z8000 family of processors for its next generation of computers, conferring rights to Commodore to manufacture these processors and for Zilog to manufacture various Commodore-designed integrated circuit products. Zilog was to manufacture components for Commodore's computers, allowing Commodore to expand its own semiconductor operation.[8] Commodore had reportedly been developing its own 16-bit microprocessor, abandoning this effort to adopt the Z8000.[9]

  1. ^ a b c d LeBold, Diane (September 1985). "Commodore Announces Unix®-Compatible Business System". Commodore Microcomputers. Vol. 6, no. 37. Contemporary Marketing, Inc. p. 10. ISBN 0-88731-047-8. ISSN 0744-8724. Retrieved 2020-10-16.
  2. ^ "Commodore 900: The Unix-like workstation/server that was eclipsed by Amiga – VintageComputer.ca". 21 September 2019. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  3. ^ Frank Hughes (1985-03-01). Commodore c900 Hardware Spec.
  4. ^ "Commodore Info Page - Brochures: Commodore 900 [en]". www.commodore-info.com. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  5. ^ Mini-micro Systems. Cahners Publishing Company. 1985.
  6. ^ Predicasts Technology Update. Predicasts. 1985.
  7. ^ Bagnall, Brian (2006). On the Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore, Variant Press. Page 434. ISBN 0-9738649-0-7
  8. ^ "Commodore to Use Z8000 Family in Its Micros". Computerworld. 24 January 1983. p. 77. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  9. ^ Libes, Sol (March 1983). "16-Bit Version of 6502 Announced". Computers & Electronics. p. 32. Retrieved 10 March 2023.