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
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| Commodore B-128/700 Programmer's Reference Guide - Protecto | $39.99 | |
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