Task: Purchase a Commodore VIC-20 8-Bit Computer
Needed: Web browser
Time: 30-60 minutes
Introduction
I grew up with an Atari 400 and then 800 8-bit computer. However, I had several friends that had Commodore VIC-20s that I got to use from time to time. The VIC-20 was developed by Commodore as an inexpensive successor the Commodore PET that helped usher in the home computer era in the late 1970s. As the Wikipedia article I linked to mentions, the VIC-20 was launched in 1980 with an initial sale price of about $300 and was the first home computer to reach 1 million units sold. The computer is named after the MOS Video Interface Chip (VIC) that featured 22 columns of text and 16 colors. A limitation of the VIC-20 was that it only shipped with 5Kb of RAM of which only about 3.5Kb was usable for programming in BASIC.
Although I never owned a Commodore back in the day, I find the VIC-20 to be a really interesting computer. As such, I think it is a great addition to any retro computer collection. There are basically two major variants to keep an eye out for. The earlier 1980-1982 models have a gold or silver label on top and a weird two-pin power supply port. The later 1983 model has a rainbow-colored label and uses the Commodore 64 power supply which is nice because there are modern replacements that are more reliable. This is the model I recommend unless you have attachment to the older systems. I have one new one and one older one as shown below.
Instructions
Commodore VIC-20s are plentiful on eBay and you should be able to get one without any extras for around $100 to $150. Be sure to buy from a trusted seller who has experience selling old computers with good reviews. Preferably, the computer should be listed as tested and working with a photo showing a successful boot.
Other options include Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. These are good options if there are some you can pick up locally to avoid shipping damage. Local sellers are sometimes more willing to answer questions.
Comments
I love my VIC-20s and am really happy to have them. I will cover peripherals, upgrades, mods, software, etc. for the VIC later.
Here is a VIC-20 TV ad with William Shatner.
Commodore purchased MOS Technology in 1976 and was able to manufacture their own chips, including the 6502 processor, that was used in the VIC-20 and the VIC-1541. This allowed them to source chips cheaper than their competitors.
As you can see in the magazine ad below, Commodore marketed the VIC-20 as the friendly computer. Be sure and circle 111 for more information!
Schematics are available if you need to repair the circuit board.
