8-bit Personal Computer - Dismantled for reference and curiosity
Released late in 1985 to the European market was a revamp of the Commodore 128 (C128) the Commodore 128D. This is easily identified by its plastic chassis and carry handle. The nice thing about the C128 range was that you could switch them over to Commodore 64 mode and use almost all software written for the C=64.
In the second half of 1986 a US version of the C128D was released that was built around a metal chassis as is the one pictured below. It was titled the C128DCR (CR = Cost Reduced) and didn't include the carry handle.
Much like the C128D the C128DCR had moved away from the keyboard computer design and started looking more like a modern computer with a base section and a detachable, adjustable height keyboard. It featured a modular, switching power supply and an integrated 1571 floppy drive.
To save on production costs the cooling fan present on the C128D was removed although the mounting is still there. Numerous component consolidations were also made to lower manufacture costs.
The 12DCR boasted the new and greatly improved MOS Technology 8568 graphics controller over the MOS 8563 used in all bar the last few C128Ds. Sadly although able to produce higher end graphics the feature was poorly supported by Commodore as they didn't update their BASIC Ver 7 to make it easy to use and developers had to resort to third party add-on software.
While the C128, C128D and C128DCR sold well, it was nothing compared to the success of the Commodore 64. Clearly the C128 range were far superior business computers vs. the C64, but people were moving to IBM clones for home computer power and the C128s really didn't have any dedicated game software that would justify the purchase over a C=64 just as a games machine.
Commodore had kicked off the Amiga range seeing them heavily marketed right in the middle of what should have been the prime market sale window for the 128. With the 128 costing almost as much as an Amiga 500 to produce it was clear Commodore had moved on to it's new show pony but still wanted to recover costs on their old one.
