The Commander X16, The 8-Bit Guy's dream computer, is finally here and available for the public. At least the first hundred or so units are. I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of the units (#0054) and create the first, non-nostalgic, non-bias review.
The Commander X16 is a modern 8-Bit computer with a real 65C02 CPU running at up to 8MHz, with 40KB of low RAM, and up to 2MB of total RAM via 256 swappable 8KB RAM banks (standard machine will come with 512KB RAM). The VERA is capable of multiple graphics modes, layers, and resolutions, along with having 128 sprites, with 128KB of embedded video RAM.
The SD card provides the best reason to use the Commander X16, as it provides basically unlimited storage given the microscopic size of the program files. And although Demos are the hot thing right now, as more consumers and developers get their hands on this machine, we should start to see more software coming out.
While I'm a big fan of the project, I think two things can be improved. One is the Commander X16 forum should update the downloads section to include thumbnail images for each program, and also have a standard layout with a title, description, and "how to run" section laid out on the specific program's page.
Two is to create a Commander X16 Developer Wiki, similar to the NESdev Wiki, to provide more in-depth explanations on a myriad of topics related to programming the X16.
Thanks to everybody behind the Commander X16 project, and the individuals who are busy hitting the keys making great things to come. I hope to see the community continue to grow.
Expansion card explained:
According to a note in the box, a change in the cartridge design required a redesign of the expansion cards, making the cards shipped now incompatible, and not recommended to be plugged into the system. Replacements will be shipped to those who bought one of these first few units upon request.
Why no included power supply? Explanation from [ Ссылка ]
"Please note, we didn’t include an AC adapter as the system will be used in many locations around the world. We were unhappy with the quality of the few universal supplies we tested"
Explanation of the first monitor:
Nearly all VGA monitors work just fine with the Commander X16, it's only a small minority of which have issues. My first monitor could only process a 1280x1024 signal, so had troubles dealing with the 640x480 output of the X16. Initial trouble shooting determined it was neither the cables, nor the X16 that was the problem. My second monitor had absolutely no problems at all.
Matt Heffernan's Excellent X16 Assembly tutorials:
[ Ссылка ]_
David's Comments from VCF Southwest
[ Ссылка ]
Voxel Revolution Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
[ Ссылка ]
