The New Commodore
Its Retro Season again for me now, weather is cooling down and some of my other favorite hobbies are less accessible for now. That means I start up again with retro passions and its back to happenings commodore for starters.
Today’s post is about the freshly arrived Commodore 64X—wow, what a cool machine! I went with the LI39 Motherboard, 32GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 4TB SSD, all housed in the stunning Chameleon Blue Case. I only installed Commodore OS Vision 2 as the operating system, planning to use it exclusively on this machine.
First, I have to say, the unboxing and first impressions of this system are fabulous! The case is even better than a brand-new original Commodore. The keyboard is stellar, with tactile, clicky keys that I loved and haven’t been able to find easily anymore.
Commodore OS Vision is an absolute blast! As Perifractic from Retro Recipes has said, this is what getting a new computer should be like—FUN!
I had already downloaded and started exploring Commodore OS Vision 2 in a virtual machine on my mega workstation, so I got a small taste of it before the real deal arrived pre-installed on this gorgeous new system. Aside from my appreciation of Zorin OS, Commodore OS Vision 2 easily ranks at the top of the Linux distros I’ve tried for both fun and usability. If I were to switch to Linux as my daily driver, this distro would be a serious contender—possibly alongside Zorin V17. Digging into Vision OS, I discovered it’s built on Debian 11 Bullseye under the hood, despite the Vision OS 6.1 version label.
The inclusion of Chrome Browser right out of the box made it incredibly easy to get started, with all my favorite websites quickly accessible. ChatGPT 4.0 has been invaluable in reminding me how to tackle various tasks in Linux, which is a huge plus for this distro.
Let me shoot from the hip here and share my thoughts. I initially wanted a more powerful model with a backlit keyboard, like the one Perry showcased from the Kickstarter campaign. Unfortunately, those were already sold out and backordered indefinitely. The model I purchased is rated at 2 out of 4 stars in performance, but I picked it up here: [insert link]. Eventually, I think I’ll grab a case and keyboard, then build a custom mini PC with an AMD Ryzen processor, maxed-out RAM, and the biggest disk I can cram inside. That build will likely be dual-boot.
That said, here’s my advice: if you want to run Windows on a system like this, you’ll likely need a faster model. For a Linux-only setup, I recommend going for a board with the best graphics card you can afford. For my intended use—fun projects, light productivity, and website updates—this model is more than sufficient.
To enhance the experience, I plan to get a dedicated mouse and keyboard for this system. I’ve already added USB wireless and Bluetooth adapters, both of which work flawlessly for internet access and my wireless headset.
One standout feature of this setup is how quiet it is, a benefit of its lower-powered hardware. It’s also been extremely stable. With a little help from GPT, I partitioned and formatted my internal 4TB drive and made sure to grab a backup before diving too far down the blue rabbit hole. On another note, it seems that Mini-ITX’s website now lists beige as the only color option for cases moving forward. That’s a bit disappointing, but understandable given the financial risks after the initial production runs.
There’s just something incredibly polished and appealing about the desktop experience on Commodore OS Vision 2. Aside from changing the background to one of the many provided options, I haven’t felt the need to tweak its appearance further. The blue palette is especially soothing and strikes the right balance between retro charm and modern design.
As for the hardware, I haven’t opened it up yet to show off the internals, but you can check out Perry’s video if you’re curious. He has a model with a backlit keyboard featuring very cool colors—mine doesn’t have that. However, I do have the sleek DVD plate on the side, which is a nice touch.
Here is the actual order I made.
1 x 80W AC Universal Adapter 12V 6.6A & USA Plug
1 x Commodore OS Vision Installation (Compatible Builds Only, No Support/Warranty)
1 x Jetway LI39 Dual 2.5Gb LAN J6412 Thin-ITX Board with 12V DC In
1 x Noctua NF-A4x10 PWM Premium 40x40x10mm Cooling Fan
1 x Integral 1TB Type 2242 M.2 SATA SSD for Selected Devices
1 x 32GB DDR4 3200 SODIMM only for selected boards
1 x Seagate 4TB Barracuda 2.5in HDD (15mm height)
1 x C64x Retro Keyboard Chassis – Chameleon Blue
1 x DVD to 2.5in Adapter/Blanking Plate for C64x (No Cables)
1 x Build and Test for 1x Commodore C64x Retro Keyboard System
Reflections on OS Vision 2
I think I would be remiss not to reflect upon the revival of Commodore Vision OS as its a legacy reimagined.
In the world of computing, few brands evoke as much nostalgia as Commodore. From the iconic Commodore 64 to the revolutionary Amiga series, the brand holds a cherished place in the hearts of many enthusiasts. But as technology evolved, so did the challenges of keeping its legacy alive. This is where Commodore Vision OS, spearheaded by Leo Nigro and inspired by Barry Altman, breathes new life into a brand deeply rooted in retro computing culture.
Reflecting on the genesis of Commodore Vision OS, the story of Commodore Vision OS begins with Barry Altman, the visionary behind Commodore USA and the modern C64x. Determined to create an operating system that captured the essence of the original Commodore experience, Altman turned to Linux. After discussions with Ubuntu and Linux Mint—both of which declined to create a customized distro—he partnered with Leo Nigro. This marked the birth of Commodore OS Vision, initially based on Linux Mint Mate.
Nigro embraced the challenge of creating an operating system that fused retro aesthetics with modern functionality. The early version, Commodore OS 1.0, was packed with carefully curated open-source applications and emulators, providing users with a seamless way to relive the glory days of Commodore.
Despite its promising start, Commodore Vision OS faced a hiatus. As priorities shifted and real-world demands took precedence, the project went dormant. However, it was never forgotten. The occasional feedback from passionate users and retro computing forums kept the spirit alive.
The revival came when Sean from MyRetroComputer reached out to Nigro, envisioning a modern iteration of Commodore Vision OS for the reimagined C64x machines. This collaboration reinvigorated Nigro’s passion, and work began to resurrect the OS, this time based on MX Linux, which offered better tools for customization and distribution.
The road to Commodore Vision OS 2.0 was anything but smooth. Technical hurdles like deprecated libraries and compatibility issues with older themes and tools required innovative solutions. For instance, the elegant Avant dock from COS 1.0 had to be replaced with the more configurable—but temperamental—Cairo dock. Similarly, the transition to newer desktop environments meant some sacrifices, though the core retro aesthetic remained intact.
Security was another consideration. While the OS was never designed for enterprise use, Nigro included disclaimers advising against using it for sensitive business purposes. The ease of use for the default “Commodore” user meant traditional Linux security paradigms were slightly relaxed to enhance the retro desktop experience. More on the topic of security later!
The role of the retro computing community cannot be overstated in this journey. From providing feedback during exhibitions to encouraging the ongoing development of the OS, enthusiasts have been instrumental in shaping its direction. Collaborations with projects like AROS and the Mega65 team have further enriched Commodore Vision OS, integrating open-source ROMs and tools that allow users to explore both Commodore 64 and Amiga emulation.
For Nigro, Commodore Vision OS remains a work in progress. Describing the project as “always in beta,” he envisions a future where the OS becomes more refined and accessible while staying true to its retro roots. Plans for new features, expanded emulator support, and modern usability continue to inspire his work.
While the road ahead may be challenging, the resurrection of Commodore Vision OS serves as a testament to the enduring allure of retro computing. It is not just an operating system; it is a bridge between the past and the future, honoring a legacy while pushing the boundaries of what retro-inspired technology can achieve.
For fans of Commodore and newcomers alike, Commodore Vision OS offers a unique opportunity to relive history, reimagined for the modern age. It is a labor of love that ensures the spirit of Commodore continues to inspire generations of computing enthusiasts.
The Commodore computers—most notably the C64 and Amiga—were revolutionary in their time, setting the standard for what home computing could achieve. They were trailblazers in multitasking, video, and sound capabilities, offering features that other systems could only dream of. The Amiga, for instance, introduced a level of multitasking and multimedia performance that wouldn’t become commonplace in mainstream computing for years. Its advanced sound and video chipsets allowed for real-time effects and high-quality audio, laying the foundation for the dedicated sound and video hardware that would define the future of personal computers.
In many ways, the innovations of Commodore systems foreshadowed the direction the industry would take. The roots of modern computing can be traced back to the era of dedicated sound and video cards that emerged to mimic the groundbreaking capabilities of machines like the Amiga. While dedicated sound cards have mostly become a relic of the past—replaced by onboard sound chips sufficient for 90% of users—video technology has evolved in a different direction. Graphics cards continue to advance at a rapid pace, but their development is no longer solely focused on gaming. The rise of AI and machine learning has shifted the emphasis toward raw computational power, creating GPUs that are as much about data processing as they are about rendering lifelike environments.
This splintering of the video card market, alongside the division of the gaming industry between dedicated consoles and PCs, has made it harder for PC makers to create machines that truly wow us in the way early Commodore systems once did. Today’s PC gaming market is fragmented, and even within video card development, priorities are shifting. Where once gaming drove innovation, AI workloads and professional applications are now at the forefront, diluting the focus on pure gaming performance.
In this landscape, the new Commodore systems serve as a refreshing return to a time when the operating system itself was a source of awe and inspiration. With Commodore OS Vision 2, the focus is not just on hardware but on recapturing the magic of a user interface that delights and engages. It evokes the era when turning on a Commodore machine was an event—a blend of cutting-edge technology and intuitive design that left a lasting impression.
This new system I’ve purchased brings back that sense of wonder. It doesn’t just feel like a computer—it feels like a window into the golden age of computing, reimagined for the modern era. While the world of PC gaming and hardware may have grown more complex and less cohesive, the new Commodore offers a reminder of what it felt like when innovation, usability, and excitement were seamlessly integrated into a single machine.
References
– Altman, Barry. “The Genesis of Commodore OS Vision.” MyRetroComputer.
– Nigro, Leo. “The History of Commodore Vision OS.” Forum Discussions, MyRetroComputer, 2024.
– Linux Mint Documentation. “Gnome2 and Mate Development.”
– MX Linux Official Site. “Custom Respin Guidance.”
*Note: All references are based on content derived from public forum posts and historical Linux development details.*