Commodore LCD

Released: Prototype (Never Released) Original Price: N/A

Gallery

Commodore LCD prototype laptop
Commodore LCD prototype laptop The rare Commodore LCD prototype, one of the few known to exist.
Commodore LCD open showing screen
Commodore LCD open showing screen The Commodore LCD with its clamshell design and LCD display.
Commodore LCD vintage prototype photo
Commodore LCD vintage prototype photo Development prototype in laboratory setting.

Commodore LCD (Prototype)

“The Commodore LCD was one of our most ambitious projects, an attempt to create a portable computer that combined the power of the C65 with the convenience of a laptop. We were pushing the boundaries of what was possible with portable computing at the time. It’s a shame it never made it to production, as it would have been one of the most advanced portable computers of its era. The few prototypes that exist are now highly sought after by collectors.” - Greg Berlin, Commodore Engineer

The Commodore LCD was a prototype laptop computer developed by Commodore in the early 1990s, intended to be a portable version of the unreleased Commodore 65. Only a handful of prototypes were ever produced before the project was canceled due to Commodore’s financial difficulties and eventual bankruptcy. The Commodore LCD featured a clamshell design with a full-size keyboard, a high-resolution monochrome LCD screen, and was powered by a custom 8/16-bit processor architecture. It remains one of the rarest and most sought-after items among Commodore collectors.

The Unreleased Laptop

The Commodore LCD was designed to be a high-end portable computer that would have competed with early laptops like the Apple PowerBook and IBM ThinkPad. It represented Commodore’s vision for mobile computing in the post-C64 era.

Key Features

  • Custom 8/16-bit CPU: Based on 65C816 architecture
  • High-Resolution Display: 640×200 monochrome LCD
  • Full-Size Keyboard: With numeric keypad
  • Dual Operating Modes: C64 compatibility and native mode
  • Built-in Storage: 3.5” floppy drive
  • Expansion Ports: For peripherals and displays

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

CPU
Custom 8/16-bit @ ~3.54 MHz (65C816 compatible)
Memory
128 KB RAM (expandable), 128 KB ROM
Graphics
Custom chipset - 640×200 monochrome LCD, 80×25 text
Sound
SID-compatible audio (mono)
Storage
3.5" floppy drive, optional external drives
Ports
RGB/Composite video, serial, parallel, joystick, external floppy, power
Operating System
Proprietary (C65-compatible)

Design and Features

Physical Design

  • Case: Beige plastic clamshell
  • **Dimensions”: 30 × 25 × 5 cm (11.8 × 9.8 × 2 in)
  • “Weight”: ~3.6 kg (8 lb)
  • “Display”: Monochrome LCD, 640×200
  • “Keyboard”: Full-travel, 88 keys

Display

  • **Type”: Monochrome LCD
  • “Resolution”: 640×200 pixels
  • “Text Mode”: 80×25 characters
  • “Backlight”: Electroluminescent

Storage and I/O

  • **Floppy Drive”: 3.5" (880 KB)
  • “Expansion”: Cartridge port
  • “Video Out”: RGB/Composite
  • “Serial/Parallel”: For peripherals
  • “Power”: Rechargeable battery, AC adapter

The Commodore LCD Experience

For Business Users

  • Word Processing: Document creation
  • Spreadsheets: Financial calculations
  • **Database”: Information management
  • **Communications”: Terminal emulation

For Developers

  • **Programming”: BASIC, assembly
  • **Testing”: Software development
  • “Porting”: C64/C65 compatibility

For Enthusiasts

  • **Collecting”: Extreme rarity
  • “Preservation”: Historical significance
  • “Hacking”: Exploring capabilities

Technical Deep Dive

CPU Architecture

  • **Processor”: Custom 8/16-bit
  • “Compatibility”: 65C816 instruction set
  • “Clock Speed”: ~3.54 MHz
  • “Address Bus”: 24-bit
  • “Data Bus”: 8/16-bit

Memory System

  • **RAM”: 128 KB (expandable)
  • “ROM”: 128 KB
  • “Memory Map”:
    • $000000-$01FFFF: RAM (128 KB)
    • $E00000-$E1FFFF: ROM (128 KB)
    • $F00000-$FFFFFF: I/O

Video System

  • **Chip”: Custom VIC-III
  • “Resolution”: 640×200 monochrome
  • “Text Modes”:
    • 40×25 (C64 compatible)
    • 80×25 (native)
  • “Character Set”: Programmable

The Commodore LCD Legacy

Prototype Status

  • **Development”: 1990-1992
  • “Status”: Canceled
  • “Prototypes”: 5-10 known to exist
  • “Current Location”: Private collections, museums

Why It Was Canceled

  • **Financial Troubles”: Commodore’s bankruptcy
  • “Market Changes”: Shift to IBM PC compatibles
  • “Development Costs”: High for Commodore’s situation
  • “Strategic Focus”: On Amiga line

Collector’s Item

  • **Rarity”: Extremely rare
  • **Price Range”: $10,000-$50,000+
  • **Sought-After Items”:
    • Working prototypes
    • Documentation
    • Software
    • Accessories

Technical Notes for Enthusiasts

Known Issues

  • **Battery Life”: Limited on prototypes
  • **Display Quality”: Early LCD technology
  • **Heat Dissipation”: Some units run hot
  • **Component Aging”: Capacitors, batteries

Preservation

  • **Battery Removal”: Prevent leakage
  • **Capacitor Replacement”: Prevent damage
  • **ROM Dumping”: For emulation
  • **Documentation”: Archive all findings

Emulation

  • **MESS”: Partial support
  • “VICE”: C64/C65 modes
  • “FPGA”: Experimental implementations

The Commodore LCD Today

In Museums

  • **Computer History Museum”: Has a unit
  • “Private Collections”: A few known examples
  • “Exhibitions”: Occasionally displayed

In the Community

  • **Forums”: Discussions and research
  • “Reverse Engineering”: Ongoing efforts
  • “Documentation”: Shared findings
  • **Documentaries”: Featured in retro computing films
  • “Books”: Mentioned in Commodore histories
  • “YouTube”: Showcased by collectors

Did You Know?

  • Only 5-10 prototypes are known to exist
  • Some units were reportedly given to developers
  • The LCD technology was cutting-edge for its time
  • The keyboard was praised for its quality
  • The design influenced later Commodore portables

The Commodore LCD in Retro Computing

  • Considered a “holy grail” for collectors
  • The subject of much speculation
  • An example of Commodore’s innovation
  • A reminder of what might have been