CBM Commodore 700 series (1983)

Features

CPU: MOS 6509 (Zilog Z80 & Intel 8088 optional) 2 MHz
RAM: 128 KB (up to 896 KB)
ROM: 28 KB
Text Modes: 80 chars. x 25 lines
Graphic Modes: None
Colors: Monochrome
Sound: 3 voices, 9 octaves (same SID 6581 as C-64)
I/O Ports: IEEE-488, Serial RS-232, Cartridge, audio, cassette
Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function/programmable keys
Built In Media: optional built-in dual floppy disc drives
OS: ROM Based (CP/M or MS DOS optional)
Built In Language: Extended version of Microsoft BASIC 4.0
Peripherals: 2 x 170 KB or 500 KB or 1 MB 5” floppy disc unit, 8088 or Z80 card

Usage

MESS emulates the following computers

cbm710 [Commodore B128-80HP/710]
cbm720 [Commodore B256-80HP/720]
cbm720se [Commodore B256-80HP/720 (Swedish / Finnish)]

For each system, MESS supports emulation with two cart slots, “cartridge1” (cart1) and “cartridge2” (cart2), for cart dumps in .crt, .10, .20, .40 and .60 format.

Also notice that a “quickload” (quik) feature is available for .p00 and .prg files.

These systems require full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the Esc key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the Scrl Lock key (by default).

Original Keyboard: Full stroke 94 key with numeric keypad and function keys

F1    F2   F3   F4   F5   F6   F7   F8   F9  F10      DOWN  UP  LEFT  RIGHT     HOME/CLEAR   DEL/INST

                                                                          INS  
   ESC   1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6^   7&   8*   9(   0)   -   =+   <-£   DEL          ?   CE    .    /

                                                                       ________   
   TAB     Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P    [    ]  | RETURN |       7    8    9    -
                                                                      |__      |
    SHIFT                                                                |     |
    LOCK     A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L   ;:   '"   Pi  |     |       4    5    6    +
                                                                         |_____|
                                                                                                      E
      SHIFT     Z    X    C    V    B     N    M    ,<   .>   /?   SHIFT   C=          1    2    3    n
                                                                                                      t
                                                                                                      e
            CTRL               SPACEBAR                                              0      .    00   r

Known Issues

The emulation of these systems is Preliminary.

History and Trivia

The Commodore 700 series featured the same hardware basis as the 600 series but had a built-in tilt-and-swivel monochrome 12” monitor, a detachable keyboard and housing for two 5.25” floppy drives.

It was said that the 5/6/700 cases were designed by Porsche, not the more familiar Porsche auto factory, but the separate Porsche Design firm.

Three versions were available: