Commodore Educator 64

Educator 64 running the Contiki operating system
Also known asModel 4064, PET 64
ManufacturerCommodore Business Machines (CBM)
TypePersonal computer
Release date1983; 41 years ago (1983)
Operating systemCommodore BASIC 2.0
CPUMOS Technology 6510 @ 1 MHz
Memory64 KB (upgradeable)

The Educator 64, also known as the PET 64 and Model 4064, was a microcomputer made by Commodore Business Machines in 1983.[1][2][3][4] It was sold to schools as a replacement for aging Commodore PET systems.[1][5] Schools were reluctant to adopt the Commodore 64 "breadbox" design due to theft or vandalism of the smaller, more exposed components.[6] The 4064 designation followed in line with the PET's 4008, 4016 and 4032 models as a 64 KB 40-column model.

The internals of the Educator 64 were refurbished Commodore 64 motherboards and monochromatic green monitors.[2][3] The area above the keyboard contained a quick reference card for BASIC 2.0 and Commodore DOS commands. The only differences between the Educator 64 and the other 64 models were the graphics capabilities, the built-in speaker, the sound amplifier with volume control, the 3.5 mm mini-jack for mono sound output to headphones, the internal power supply, and the keyboard which is missing the color abbreviations imprinted on the front edge of the number keys. The Educator 64 retained the ability to display shades of green, while the PET 64 and 4064 were monochrome-only. Though the PET 4008/4016/4032 computers had cases made entirely of metal, only the Educator 64's base was metal—the upper case was made of thick plastic.

The Educator 64 was not sold in great numbers. It suffered from its monochrome display – most Commodore 64 software assumed the availability of color.[7] And, by that time, the US education market was firmly in the Apple II's grasp.

References

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  1. ^ a b Zimmerman, Bo. "Commodore Educator 64 Computers : The C64 is Schoolbound..." www.zimmers.net. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  2. ^ a b Kaiser, Cameron (1 July 2007). "The 4064s: PET 64, Educator 64". The Secret Weapons of Commodore. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  3. ^ a b "Commodore Educator 64 Model 4064". Southwest Technical Products Corporation. Archived from the original on 2019-09-22. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  4. ^ Serpil, Meri Yilan; Kasim, Koruyan (2020-04-17). ICT-Based Assessment, Methods, and Programs in Tertiary Education. IGI Global. p. 323. ISBN 978-1-7998-3064-1.
  5. ^ Karkouti, Ibrahim M. (2020), "Technology Integration Into Instruction in the United States: A Policy Brief on Accountability in Higher Education", ICT-Based Assessment, Methods, and Programs in Tertiary Education, IGI Global, pp. 322–335, ISBN 978-1-7998-3062-7, retrieved 2024-10-03
  6. ^ Nisbet (October–December 2023). "Educational Computers in New Zealand Schools: 1977 to 1983". IEEE Annals of the History of Computing. 45 (4): 39–52. doi:10.1109/MAHC.2023.3305599.
  7. ^ McCune, Nina M. (2022-06-24). Advancing DEI and Creating Inclusive Environments in the Online Space. IGI Global. pp. xvi. ISBN 978-1-6684-5147-2.
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