VC Blog | ContactU.S. Commodore B Series Development Prototypes
P 500Also known as the P 128, B 128-40, C 128-40
The P 500 was described in the original pre-release B Series users guide as the C128-40. | |
The P 500 was a hybrid system containing components found in the C-64 and B Systems. | |
Produced: late 1982, early 1983. | |
less than 100 were sold / distributed worldwide, no software available. | |
Considered the predecessor to both the production B Series and C-128 systems | |
Stacked View: A later B-128 sits on top of a B500, sitting on top of a P500. Note the joystick ports on the P500. |
B 500
The "500" designation was the original model number for all B Series low-profile computers. | |
Only a few hundred (?) low-profile systems were sold with the "B 500" label before the line was re-named B-128. | |
The B 256 (B520) was never produced but there are two "B 520" prototype B 500 systems containing 256K factory-installed RAM are known to exist. | |
B500-256 front view(pic is yellower than acutal) | |
BX 700
The "700" designation was the original model number for all B Series hi-profile (built-in monitor) computers. | |
Blue-colored "Commodore" logo on the front top edge of the computer, differentiating U.S. B 700 system from the production "hi-profile" CBM 128-80 and European B 700) | |
Contains the 8088 co-processor and appropriate PLA chip on motherboard | |
Factory prototype: No name plate, FCC label, or serial number. Manufactured 1982. | |
Sources: Chicago B128 User's Group (CBUG) v. 1,3 1985/1986, Bruce Faierson, fmr. CBUG Board, 2007
History of Commodore Computers Poster $19.99
Classic Computing Items for Sale:
| CBM Commodore B Series Software (B-128 / CBM 700) | ||
| Superscript II Word Processor | $29.99 | |
| Superbase Database Manager | $29.99 | |
| Commodore Advanced Business Systems (CABS) Acccounting Suite: Accounts Payable, Order Entry, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger (4 binders) | $29.99 | |
| More CBM Commodore Items | ||
| Commodore B-128/700 Programmer's Reference Guide - Protecto - Everything you need to know about the B line! | SOLD OUT | |
| B Series Commodore Users Guide - View Image | $39.99 | |
| Commodore Users Guide Series 8000 | $39.99 | |
| Commodore BASIC Users Refence Manual Version 4.0 | SOLD OUT | |
| Commodore CBM Expansion Memory Board 64K Expansion Kit for PET 8032 (NOS) | SOLD OUT | |
| Commodore PET Keyboard (NOS) for 2001 -N, 3000, 4000 Series | SOLD OUT | |
| Other Commodore CBM Power supplies, software, parts, etc. | Contact Me | |
| Tandy Items | ||
| Aeoromp Double Density Controller for TRS 80 Model 1 Expansion Unit (NOS)- details | SOLD OUT | |
| Model III / Model 4 (non-gate array only) RS-232 KITS details | SOLD OUT | |
| Model III / Model 4 (non-gate array only) RS-232 boards only | SOLD OUT | |
| Model III Aerocomp Diskdrive controller | $39.99 (free US Ship) | |
| Looking for Something Else? | ||
| Please check here first with special requests for Commodore, IBM, Tandy, Atari, TI, Apple computers, parts, components, and software. I have systems plus zounds of miscellaneous items for sale or trade. | ||
SWTPC 6800 before assembly...been there?
Past Issues:
Before we switched over to a blog format, past page archives here:
Vintage Computer Festival East 3.0 June 2006
Commodore B Series Prototypes July 2006
VOLSCAN - The first desktop computer with a GUI? Oct 2006
ROBOTS! - Will Robots Take Over? Nov 2006
Magnavox Mystery - a Computer, or? Jan 2007
The 1973 Williams Paddle Ball Arcade Computer Game Feb 2007
The Sperry UNIVAC 1219 Military Computer May 2007
VCF East 2007 - PET 30th Anniversary June/July 2007
The Electronic Brain August 2007
Community Memory and The People's Computer Company October 2007
Charles Babbage's Calculating Machine December 2007
Vintage Computing - A 1983 Perspective February 2008
Laptops and Portables May 2008
From Giant Brains to Hobby Computers - 1957 to 1977 August 2008
Historic Computer Magazines November 2008
World's Smallest Electronic Brain - Simon (1950) December 2008 - Feb 2009
Free Program Listings Spring 2009
Computer Music Summer 2009
Popular Electronics Jan/Feb 1975 - Altair 8800 Fall 2009
Early Microcomputer Mass Storage Summer 2010
For more information about the C Prompt found at the top of each page, click here.
All photography on this web site is � VintageComputer.net/Bill Degnan and cannot be reproduced without permission.
All photography on this web site is � VintageComputer.net/Bill Degnan and cannot be reproduced without permission.