Commodore PET 3016

 Home > Browse Our Collection > Computers > Commodore > Commodore PET 3016
 

Commodore CBM 3016 or PET 2001-16N

The first all-in-one home computer from Commodore was the PET. The first model was the PET 2001, including either 4 KB (the 2001-4) or 8 KB (2001-8) of 8-bit RAM. It was essentially a single-board computer with discrete logic driving a small built-in monochrome monitor with 40×25 character graphics. Designed on an appliance computer philosophy similar to the original Macintosh the machine also included a built-in Datassette for data storage located on the front of the case, which left little room for the keyboard. The data transfer rate to cassette was 1500 baud, duplicated for safety, giving an effective rate of 750 baud. The 2001 was announced at the '77 Winter CES in January 1977 and the first 100 units were shipped in mid October 1977. However they remained back-ordered for months, and to ease deliveries they eventually cancelled the 4 kB version early the next year.

Although the machine was fairly successful, there were frequent complaints about the tiny calculator-like keyboard, often referred to as a "chiclet keyboard" because the keys resembled the popular gum candy. This was addressed in upgraded "dash N" and "dash B" versions of the 2001, which put the cassette outside the case, and included a much larger keyboard with a full stroke motion. Internally a newer motherboard was used, along with an upgrade from static memory to dynamic memory and 8, 16, or 32 KB, known as the 2001-N-8, 2001-N-16 or 2001-N-32, respectively.

Sales of the newer machines were strong, and Commodore then introduced the models to Europe. However, there was already a machine called PET for sale in Europe from the huge Dutch Philips company, and the name had to be changed. The result was the CBM 3000 series ('CBM' standing for Commodore Business Machines), which included the 3008, 3016 and 3032 models. Like the 2001-N-8, the 3008 was quickly dropped.

Our model is the 2001-16N BS and was kindly donated by Andrew Borkett of the Faculty of Education in Cambridge University.

Manufacturer: Commodore
Date: 1977



Comment on This Page

Other Systems Related To Commodore PET 3016:

Item Manufacturer Date
Commodore PET 2001 Commodore June 1977
Commodore PET 2001 (Blue Label) Commodore June 1977
Commodore PET 2001-32N Commodore June 1978
Commodore PET CBM 3008 Commodore 1979
Commodore PET 3032 Commodore 1979
Commodore PET 8032SK Commodore 1980
Commodore Pet 4032-32N Commodore May 1980
Commodore PET 4008 Commodore May 1980
Commodore SuperPet (SP9000) Commodore 1981
Commodore PET 8096SK Commodore 1981
Commodore VIC-20 Commodore 1981
Commodore VC-20 Commodore 1981
Commodore VIC-20 Commodore 1981
Commodore Pet 8032-32B Commodore 1982
Commodore 64 Commodore August 1982
Commodore PET 8296-D Commodore 1983
Commodore SX-64 (110v US) Commodore 1983
Commodore SX-64 (240V UK) Commodore 1983
Commodore 16 Commodore June 1984
Commodore Plus 4 Commodore June 1984
Commodore 128 Commodore January 1985
Commodore Amiga 1000 Commodore 23rd July 1985
Commodore 128D Commodore December 1985
Commodore Amiga A2000 Commodore 1987
Commodore Amiga A500 Class of the 90s Pack Commodore 1987
Commodore PC-I Commodore 1987
Commodore 64 C German Commodore March 1987
Commodore 64 C Hollywood Presents Pack Commodore March 1987
Commodore 64 C Commodore March 1987
Commodore 64 C Terminator 2 Pack Commodore March 1987
Commodore Amiga A500 Plus Commodore April 1987
Commodore 64 C Light Fantastic Pack Commodore March 1989
Commodore Amiga 1500 Commodore 1990
Commodore C286-LT Portable Commodore 1990
Commodore Amiga 1500 (PC Card Configuration) Commodore 1990
Commodore C386SX-LT Commodore 1991
Commodore Amiga A600HD Commodore 1992
Commodore Amiga A600 Commodore March 1992
Commodore Amiga 4000 Commodore October 1992
Commodore Amiga 1200 Commodore 21st October 1992
Commodore Amiga 1200 Commodore 21st October 1992
Commodore Amiga CD32 Commodore September 1993

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH9361. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.

 

Commodore PET 3016


Click on the Image(s) For Detail


Articles

Help support the museum by buying from the museum shop

View all items

Founding Sponsors
redgate Google ARM Real VNC Microsoft Research
Heritage Lottery Funded
Heritage Lottery Fund
Accredited Museum