The Commodore Plus/4, despite sounding pretty good on paper and coming with four built-in professional apps, didn't set the world on fire. To be brutally frank, it failed. Despite that, the Plus/4 remains an intriguing little home micro and you can grab one (complete in its box with manuals and stuff) via this Commodore Plus/4 eBay auction. Seller ships worldwide.
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Well, you were not to brutal considering how epic the failure was. I mean, a machine with an enormous potential made by the same company who sold milions of machines, and wasn't compatible with said machines! That was a shame and the beginning of the suicidal market strategy that would eventually kill C=.
ReplyDeleteAs for the machine itself, I'm a very proud owner because lack of software apart is really nice looking with uncomparable Commodore style and some interesting games here and there.
A huge shame killing of Commodore like that and a series of incredibly bad decisions. Amiga 600 anyone? CDTV perhaps?
ReplyDeleteAnyway. I'd like a Plus/4 myself, but only after I get my hands on a C16.
C16 was my very first machine, but keep in mind they are the same (apart for some +4-only software). Btw, since I own an A600 too, do you think I should buy a CDTV and make a Commodore crypt in my room? :D
ReplyDeleteGlorious idea. And have "Failures" by Joy Division play in the background. Would be eerie.
ReplyDeleteCool, I'm going to buy a purple cloth and a bunch of candles >:)
ReplyDeleteabout 7 hours left and no bids yet - If it stays that way I'd be tempted to snarf it. I had a VIC-20 and then graduated to my beloved C64, but never explored any of their other machines. Always been curious though
ReplyDeleteCuriosity can be an expensive hobby dear MadPLanet ;)
ReplyDeleteI knew I had seen this machine somewhere. Of course, good ol' Retro Treasures! I just picked one of these up off craigslist. The box is kinda beat, but the unit itself appears to have never been used. I think I overpaid a little. Anyway, what do I need to get next to make this thing somewhat enjoyable?
ReplyDeleteThe Plus/4 you mean dear Myke? Well, do try searching for games on eBay. There ever are a few new homebrew offerings around. Oh, and you can always laugh at the built-in apps.
ReplyDeleteThe Plus/4 indeed. I knew it wasn't a very popular machine, but it's just so cool looking. Apparently I am gonna need a drive of some sort, I don't see a handy cartridge slot anywhere. Seriously, what the hell were they thinking? I guess for now laughing at built-in apps will have to do. Should I try to hunt down a cassette drive? They seem a bit more common and affordable. Thanks for advice!
ReplyDeleteJudging by the fact that most Plus/4 (and C16) games were european releases, I'd say go with the cassette drive. Oh, and do have a look at this:
ReplyDeletewww.c64glen.com/2009/03/top-c16-and-plus4-games
Thanks Gnome, very useful info! Unfortunately, I couldn't get the Plus/4 to work when I tried it last night. Just got a black screen with white lines wiggling around. I'll mess with it again soon.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck Myke!
ReplyDelete