Commodore 16

Commodore 16
Commodore 16
ManufacturerCommodore Business Machines
Product familyCommodore 264 series
TypeHome computer
Release date1984; 40 years ago (1984)
Introductory priceUS$99 (equivalent to $290 in 2023)
Discontinued1985; 39 years ago (1985)
Units shipped1,266,000 (worldwide)
MediaROM cartridge, Compact Cassette
Operating systemCommodore KERNAL/BASIC 3.5
CPUMOS Technology 7501 or 8501 @ 0.89/1.76 MHz (avg. approx. 1.1 MHz)[1]
Memory16 KB RAM + 32 KB ROM[2]
Display320×200, 320×160 (with 5 lines of text), 160×200, 160×160 (with 5 lines of text)
GraphicsTED (320 × 200, 121 colors)[2][3]
SoundTED (2 channels, 4 octaves + white noise)[2]
InputKeyboard (66 keys, 4 function keys, 4 cursor keys), joystick
Dimensions40.7 cm × 20.4 cm × 7.7 cm (16.0 in × 8.0 in × 3.0 in)[2]
RelatedCommodore Plus/4
Commodore 116
TypeHome computer
InputKeyboard
Original Commodore 16 box

The Commodore 16 is a home computer made by Commodore International with a 6502-compatible 7501 or 8501 CPU, released in 1984 and intended to be an entry-level computer to replace the VIC-20. A cost-reduced version, the Commodore 116, was mostly sold in Europe.

The C16 and C116 belong to the same family as the higher-end Plus/4 and are internally very similar[4]: 24  to it (albeit with less RAM – 16 KB rather than 64 KB – and lacking the Plus/4's user port[2] and Three-Plus-One software). Software is generally compatible among all three provided it can fit within the C16's smaller RAM and does not utilize the user port on the Plus/4.

While the C16 was a failure on the US market, it enjoyed some success in certain European countries and Mexico.

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