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From: daveh@cbmvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.micro,net.consumers,net.micro.cbm
Subject: Re: what is a COMMODORE PLUS-4 computer?  (a consumer ripoff?)
Message-ID: <120@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 21-Apr-86 17:28:54 EST
Article-I.D.: cbmvax.120
Posted: Mon Apr 21 17:28:54 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Apr-86 01:10:08 EST
References: <3184@ut-ngp.UUCP> <101@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP>
Reply-To: daveh@cbmvax.UUCP (Dave Haynie)
Distribution: na
Organization: Commodore Technology, West Chester, PA
Lines: 18
Keywords: plus/4 c64 c16 sx64
Xref: decwrl net.micro:13586 net.consumers:5238 net.micro.cbm:549


The PLUS/4 computer was the last effort of the previous CBM administration
to create another consumer computer.  The original concept of the machine
was a really cheap but more powerful replacement for the VIC-20.  What we
got instead was a machine very similar but incompatible with the C64, and
at an introductory price about $100 above the C64 at the time.  The features
of the machine:  64K RAM, enhanced BASIC, built-in machine language monitor,
word processor, spreadsheet, and filing program (total of 64K ROM), and
a real ACIA for serial communications.  And 121 possible colors instead
of the 16 colors of the C64.  What was left out was software compatibility
with any previous CBM computer, and that is why you can now buy one from
a liquidator.  They learned the lesson with the PLUS/4 that Atari, TI,
Sinclair, and Mattel learned before -- no one can compete successfully
with the C64 in the now $150 home computer market.  
-- 

Dave Haynie    {inhp4,allegra,seismo}!cbmvax!daveh
               When the going gets tough, the weird turn pro