12.3M Commodore 64 Units Sold
Revolutionary computer that launched for under $600 changed the industry with its 64 kilobytes of memory
The Commodore 64, released on September 1, 1982, became the best-selling computer of all time, with sales of around 12.3 million units. Its success can be attributed to its affordability and 64 kilobytes of memory, making it the first computer with 64K of memory to sell for under $600.
The computer's initial price was under $600, and it typically cost $450 with a disk drive, unless the buyer was able to find a better deal. This pricing strategy helped Commodore sell around 5 million units by the end of its fiscal 1984 year.
Commodore's production of the Commodore 64 was initially plagued by quality control problems, leading the company to outsource production to a Japanese company called Kentron. By January 1983, Kentron was mass producing C-64s, helping to meet the high demand for the computer.
The Commodore 64's impact on the industry was significant, with the company selling half a million units within six months of its release. The computer's popularity endured, with around 12.3 million units sold in total. If the C-128 is counted as a separate product, the C-64 alone sold around 10.6 million units.
## Why it matters The Commodore 64's success can be seen as a significant milestone in the development of the computer industry. Its affordability and accessibility helped to bring computers into the mainstream, paving the way for future generations of computers. The Commodore 64's impact can still be felt today, with many people who grew up with the computer still nostalgic for it.
The Commodore 64's legacy is a testament to the power of innovation and affordability in the technology industry. Its influence can be seen in the many computers that followed in its footsteps, and its impact on the industry as a whole is still being felt today.
