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Yes, I realise that it was hyperbole, but now you've got me started and I won't be able to stop.

It's actually pretty straightforward:

Amiga, Inc., which is Bill McEwen's company and the current holder, outsourced hardware manufacture to a venerable Amiga hardware add on company, EyeTech. The result was the AmigaOne, a PPC-based system that iterated the natural direction in which Amiga hardware addons had developed throughout the nineties. The operating system, AmigaOS 4, was outsourced to Hyperion Entertainment. (AmigaOS 4 also runs on the Pegasos computers made by Genesi, an off-brand effort that is similar. Genesi also sells their own OS, MorphOS, which does not run on the AmigaOne.)

Leaving Genesi out of the equation, there are really just the two companies, one for hardware and one for software. Amiga, Inc. just holds the brand name. The machines actually are logical successors to the classic Amigas, but to an outsider they look strange because there are several generations of expansion cards and off-brand machines in between, such as the DraCo. Some AmigaOnes even have slots for inserting classic Amiga components to improve compatibility.

The Commodore USA story is also pretty simple: they just sell low-end PCs in kitschy boxes.

So, really, four things to keep track of in the current ecosystem, and only two that actually produce anything of worth. The tricky detail is that Eyetech has recently been replaced by another company, A-Eon, but it's still the same hardware lineage. Amiga users are divided between classic purists, MorphOS enthusiasts, and AmigaOS 4 enthusiasts, with a small group who use a multiplatform open source OS called AROS. (And, yes, all of it is outdated, overpriced, and underpowered.)

AROS team didn't want to use Linux (although the AROS Developers use Linux to develope AROS), but Commodore USA is using Mint called CommodoreOS Vision (currently in Beta) for their new Commodore Amigas: http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_OS_Vision.aspx

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_AMIGAmini.aspx .... The new AMIGA MINI comes with a 3.5 Ghz i-7 CPU, up to 16 GB RAM, GTX 430 GFX, 600 GB SSD, HDMI/DVI out and 8 USB ports. Sure, it isn't a real "AMIGA", but its cool that there is at least an "attempt" to put AMIGA branded computers back on the desktop. Long live Commodore! And long live the C64 and Amiga 500! Good times...

Understanding that not everyone will be excited by this, I am happy to announce that CUSA CEO Barry Altman just lowered prices and issued refunds... "FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. March 22, 2012 – Commodore USA, LLC announced today the revision of the introductory price of it’s latest offering, the AMIGA mini, as well as the addition of configuration options, allowing for the selection of both CPU and memory.

Due to an overwhelming outpouring of customer comments, along with those posted on the major tech blogs, the company has listened to the thousands of requests for both lower prices and more choices, and responded today with prices and options that most respondents indicated was in line with other current offerings..." The new prices for the Commodore Amiga mini are here -> http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_AMIGAmini.aspx

The full price release is available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommodoreUSA

While this... thing... is a bit of a failure I am intrigued by at least one other thing they have to offer: The Commodore VIC-Slim.

They should focus on that instead.

Looking at their website, they also have the C64. And they even go further back in time. Reminiscent of my old VIC-20 I used to tape-load games on (only to have the tape be wrinkled and encounter load errors) they have the VIC. Although it looks suspiciously like the "reissued" Amiga they are trying to sell.

Lemme see...beta-status operating system. Check. Way overpriced hardware. Check. Free Linux distro. Check. Taking a brand name and using it as snake oil (much like Guns 'N Roses is doing now). Check. Where do I sign up????

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_OS_Vision_Download.aspx

I didn't have a C64 as a kid, moving straight from the whole Apple series and Atari, to 486 DX66 (a monster of gaming power at its inception). However, for those with C64 memories, Commodore isn't dead - check out http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx - you can actually buy a perfect replica C64 keyboard/chassis in which to build a modern PC, or you can buy a prefab one with either Intel Atom or Sandy-Bridge based kit (personally, I'm a little underwhelmed by the hardware chosen in both the prefabs, you can probably do better yourself). Commodore has gone even further by creating a new Linux distribution "Commodore OS Vision" which gives a full featured Linux system (based on Mint) and has all the old Commodore software built in and accessible as well, free to download for anyone (which will spur Linux adoption as well). So if you want to create a retro gaming system, a unique HTPC, or just want to dive into the old C64 software your remember, give it a look! Cool that they're introducing fun, user-controlled computing to a new generation and making a fleshed out Linux distribution that pays homage to the old ways while showing how far we've come.

Ubuntu installed on the boxes, but the sales pages are in ASPX? I loved my c64 and still have it in my workshop. Drive and tape loader are still in good shape, but haven't checked media in 10 years - probably all bad. The 1702 monitor was awesome and I used the display to hook to simple video editing on an old camcorder for a while. Not sure I would make a trek to go to this but sounds like it would be kind of fun.

Actually I'd say that was a legitimate concern seeing as how we recently had a Commodore released that was just your standard Atom nettop in a commodore case.

As for TFA I wish them luck. I'm sure that Amiga fans are a tiny niche but that doesn't mean they can't be a profitable market to serve. if these guys can make a good living by giving Amiga fans what they want? More power to 'em I say, variety spice and all that.

Yes I do. I also remember when Bill Gates was saying that you shouldn't pirate software because if you did you wouldn't get the manuals or techinical support.

If your nastalgic for the days of yore, you could always get one of the C64 replicas They are a C64 on the outside, a 64bit x86 Atom on the inside, and they come with a manual.

http://www.commodoreusa.net/

You spoke and they listened! Behold:

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_Home.aspx

Unfortunately, I binned my collection of INPUT magazines and I never could afford the Amiga SDK anyway...

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx

2. It is too thick to be comfortable to type on.

Is this better? http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_VicSlim.aspx

It's still mostly a 90's Geocities-style website with 3D renders of products and lacking any real information.

Yes, it's horrendously amateurish and dated, not in an 80s-nostalgia style, just in a badly-designed, incompetent way.

Anyway, if people here think that their C64 was somewhat cynical, at least with *that* they've put it in a case that looks broadly similar to an actual C64.

Elsewhere on the site (when it isn't saying "Service Unavailable") they're using the famous "Vic" name to sell something that looks similar- or identical- to one of those Eee PC "all-in-one" keyboard/computer things that has **** all to do with the original Vic under the moniker "Vic Pro", and something else called a "Vic Slim" that is equally unrelated.

But that's not all! Would you like an Amiga 1000? Well, don't get your hopes up, it's just a generic HTPC/Media Centre case that has precisely jack s**t to do with the original Amiga 1000 (or any other Amiga) and doesn't even look like it. Ditto the "Amiga 2000" and "Amiga 3000". All backed up by more incredibly ugly and badly-designed web pages.

I strongly suspect they have the rights to use the Amiga name and logo, but nothing else. At any rate, it's possibly the most blatantly cynical and low-rent attempt to milk the Amiga name for all its nostalgic worth while doing f*** all.

Utter tat.

(Canned links to cached Google versions for when their shite website isn't working:- Vic and Amiga.

It's still mostly a 90's Geocities-style website with 3D renders of products and lacking any real information.

Yes, it's horrendously amateurish and dated, not in an 80s-nostalgia style, just in a badly-designed, incompetent way.

Anyway, if people here think that their C64 was somewhat cynical, at least with *that* they've put it in a case that looks broadly similar to an actual C64.

Elsewhere on the site (when it isn't saying "Service Unavailable") they're using the famous "Vic" name to sell something that looks similar- or identical- to one of those Eee PC "all-in-one" keyboard/computer things that has **** all to do with the original Vic under the moniker "Vic Pro", and something else called a "Vic Slim" that is equally unrelated.

But that's not all! Would you like an Amiga 1000? Well, don't get your hopes up, it's just a generic HTPC/Media Centre case that has precisely jack s**t to do with the original Amiga 1000 (or any other Amiga) and doesn't even look like it. Ditto the "Amiga 2000" and "Amiga 3000". All backed up by more incredibly ugly and badly-designed web pages.

I strongly suspect they have the rights to use the Amiga name and logo, but nothing else. At any rate, it's possibly the most blatantly cynical and low-rent attempt to milk the Amiga name for all its nostalgic worth while doing f*** all.

Utter tat.

(Canned links to cached Google versions for when their shite website isn't working:- Vic and Amiga.

It's still mostly a 90's Geocities-style website with 3D renders of products and lacking any real information.

Yes, it's horrendously amateurish and dated, not in an 80s-nostalgia style, just in a badly-designed, incompetent way.

Anyway, if people here think that their C64 was somewhat cynical, at least with *that* they've put it in a case that looks broadly similar to an actual C64.

Elsewhere on the site (when it isn't saying "Service Unavailable") they're using the famous "Vic" name to sell something that looks similar- or identical- to one of those Eee PC "all-in-one" keyboard/computer things that has **** all to do with the original Vic under the moniker "Vic Pro", and something else called a "Vic Slim" that is equally unrelated.

But that's not all! Would you like an Amiga 1000? Well, don't get your hopes up, it's just a generic HTPC/Media Centre case that has precisely jack s**t to do with the original Amiga 1000 (or any other Amiga) and doesn't even look like it. Ditto the "Amiga 2000" and "Amiga 3000". All backed up by more incredibly ugly and badly-designed web pages.

I strongly suspect they have the rights to use the Amiga name and logo, but nothing else. At any rate, it's possibly the most blatantly cynical and low-rent attempt to milk the Amiga name for all its nostalgic worth while doing f*** all.

Utter tat.

(Canned links to cached Google versions for when their shite website isn't working:- Vic and Amiga.

They also have really nice looking VICs

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_VicSlim.aspx
http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_VicPro.aspx

They also have really nice looking VICs

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_VicSlim.aspx
http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_VicPro.aspx

Is this what you're looking for?

No HDMI. But it has a serial port!

The original story covered what is now known as the VIC-Pro, seen here - http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_VicPro.aspx

This story is about the new C64, seen here - http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx

The original story says:

The computer will be an all-in-one keyboard, with Intel's 64-bit quad-core microprocessors and 3D graphics capabilities.

The page for the machine covered here says:

It houses a modern mini-ITX PC motherboard featuring a Dual Core 525 Atom processor and the latest Nvidia Ion2 graphics chipset.

How are two different machines, both in appearance and hardware, the "same damn thing"?

The original story covered what is now known as the VIC-Pro, seen here - http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_VicPro.aspx

This story is about the new C64, seen here - http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx

The original story says:

The computer will be an all-in-one keyboard, with Intel's 64-bit quad-core microprocessors and 3D graphics capabilities.

The page for the machine covered here says:

It houses a modern mini-ITX PC motherboard featuring a Dual Core 525 Atom processor and the latest Nvidia Ion2 graphics chipset.

How are two different machines, both in appearance and hardware, the "same damn thing"?

Actually, the superficial specs say that it does use an Intel Atom D525 1.8GHz Dual Core CPU with NVIDIA ION2 Graphics (DDR3 512MB). Don't know specifically how it compares to Asus's components, but it's still an Atom processor. There is no arguing that the case and keyboard are higher quality, though: the latter uses Cherry switches, which are miles ahead of any Eee unit.

I am totally with you on the Asus brand being unimpressive. This appeals to me just as much, though, because it is a solid machine. "They don't make them like they used to."

It's a little bit more, they do apparently have some sort of proprietary Commodore OS that you can use. Not sure what they mean by that, if it's the old one or one that's been designed to be compatible with the original ones. Screen shot at the bottom of the page.

It's Linux. Read the description.

http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_OS.aspx

And for those of you pining for an Amiga look-alike, they have that too.

www.commodoreusa.net is down already...

Maybe it's running on a C64.

Nope, this isn't quite the same thing. Of course, if you'd read the article, you'd know that, so I guess I shouldn't expect too much...

I read both articles; they describe the same machine, and both articles point to the same website, www.commodoreusa.net

It's the same damn thing.

Of course, if you'd read and understood both articles, you'd know that, so I guess I shouldn't expect too much...

Check this out. It's just a case that looks identical to the old C64 but with an Atom/ION2 combo, it runs Windows 7 "premium experience". Nothing really that special, you could probably just put a MicroATX board in an old C64 case and achieve the same. Not to hate or anything but I was kinda hoping for something like a dual boot BASIC or some sort of custom hardware that would let you at the registers but alas.

It's a little bit more, they do apparently have some sort of proprietary Commodore OS that you can use.

I don't see anything on the manufacturer's site that necessarily indicates it's a proprietary OS. For one thing, they say "Commodore OS 1.0" isn't available yet, but they'll mail it to people who buy the computer when it's ready. In the meantime, it says the machines will ship with Ubuntu LTS. That suggests to me that Commodore OS 1.0 is likely to be yet another Linux distro, maybe with some sort of nostalgic Commodore-like skin.

According to their site, you can "Play all your favorite 8-bit era games within seconds ... by selecting the C64 icon from the boot menu to run a C64 emulator directly".

www.commodoreusa.net is down already...

Not sure why this wasn't linked in the summary.

Yes, The C64 used a 6510. Its predecessor, the Vic-20 used a 6502. FWIW, I believe the C128 used a 2mhz 8502 which was compatible.

The brand-new http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspxCommodore64 uses a Dual Core 525 Atom processor and Nvidia Ion2 graphics chipset.

Then you will be interested in the company who makes them.

Personally, I'm thinking about getting a C64 myself.

CommodoreUSA seems to be the first company since the original Commodore's fall that has a plan to do something that both is associated with the original, and still is plausable. They actually have a case. A simple case with a Atom based motherboard is a realistic goal. As a retro gaming fan, I find the idea of having a PC in a C64 looking case really attractive, and if I get board of it, I can just use it as a standard PC. That takes all of the risk out of buying some specialty hardware, and the work out of trying to gut a real C64 and fit in a PC.

Actually, it's just like the Commodore 64 resurrection that's essentially a netbook without a screen that's housed in a case similar to the C64. They're trying to ride off the nostalgia factor to sell you crap, and it might just work. Sigh.

That's extremely damning. For those following along at home, this is the image up on Commodore USA's website, and this is the original image from ten years ago. The difference? The image up on Commodore USA's website has a bad photoshop hack job of removing the word "fantasy" from the top right of the keyboard, and the word fantasy from the mouse cord (and the cord itself). It still attributes the image to Marko Hirv.

I don't think there can be more irrefutable proof that this is a scam.

The top CGI picture of an Amiga with a CD-ROM, at http://www.commodoreusa.net/products.html, I recognize from an Amiga forum from at least 3 years ago. It was made by a forum user, not any employee of Amiga or related company.

Don't get too impressed with yourself. You missed the obvious part. Look at the filename.

    http://www.commodoreusa.net/i//zpc9100_full.jpg

    It's over 3 years old, and has nothing to do with Commodore, except someone set up a crappy site with the name on it to get the Commodore fans all wound up.

    A 2007 article about the ZPC9100

    Or the real manufacturer site

    I'm not surprised it was shot with an expensive camera, the *REAL* manufacturer had those done by a professional, I'm sure.

    Any of the rest of the crap in the summary or on their site can be assumed to be absolute BS. But hey, for those interested I have a 16 core 4THz machine with 32TB RAM that's the size of a matchhead. It runs off of a patented method for gathering and storing static electricity from the air, and interfaces to all external devices (display, HID, etc) wirelessly. I'll start selling them for $1,950,000. If I sell one I can move to a nice island. If I sell 1000 I'll buy the island. Err, I mean, ummm, we'll reinvest in the company to make our products even better. :)

Yes, it ships with Ubuntu.

Commodore BASIC Black

Price: No Price
Prod. Code: CBS-C2D-7500-2-160-D-B
System Color: Silver or Black
Network Adapter (NIC): Integrated 10/100/1000MB Ethernet
Intel® Processors: Intel® Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor E7500 (2.93GHz, 3MB, 1066MHz FSB)
            This CPU does not support Windows® XP Virtualization in Windows® 7
Memory: 2GB DDR2 Non-ECC SDRAM, 800MHz
Hard Drive: 160GB SATA, 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Optical Drive: Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW drive + Nero express 7 Essentials
Operating System: Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Edition CD
Warranty: 1Yr Warranty + Lifetime Phone Support

The best is the OS page.

Most of the entries are actually empty
It includes Linux as well as Ubuntu, with no indication as to how they are related
No links given to most of the entries
The OSX description is also available here among other places (probably stemming from the Apple website)
AROS is included, which is far from production quality, according to its own devs
Chrome is a browser, Chrome OS is an OS. Again, Linux...
What is Comodo? All I can find is AV/firewall - nothing to do with Commodore.

Funny stuff, guys.

Actually, I'm pretty sure it's the exact same product as the Zero Footprint PC, exept, maybe they put a Commodore C= Sticker on it, and market it as a new Commodore 64.

Seriously, compare these two pictures: Zero Footprint PC and "new" Commodore 64. Looks similar?

...And with little to no knowledge about it -- Yes, I RTFA. Among the jewels:

During the same panel, Apple co-founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs approached Commodore with an Apple II prototype, which was much more advanced in color, graphics, sound and games. Apple at the time didn't have the money to make and sell the Apple II, and was hoping Commodore would push the design to market. Commodore, however, preferred to develop the Commodore 64 as a simpler, lower-cost, black-and-white-only machine.

I have no insight on the Steves' attempt... But if you say the C64 was black-and-white-only machine, it means you have never been close to one -- Its graphic capabilities were at least up to par with Apple ]['s. And its sound was incredibly better.

Oh, and if from TFA you go to the company's website, you will see something that is way closer to an Amiga descendent than a C64 descendent (two of their available operating systems are Amiga-relted -- AmigaOS and AROS). Of course, the machine is neither a C64 nor an Amiga.

It's almost as saying I have a Xerox PARC at my desktop only because it has a mouse and sorta-windows.

...And with little to no knowledge about it -- Yes, I RTFA. Among the jewels:

During the same panel, Apple co-founders Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs approached Commodore with an Apple II prototype, which was much more advanced in color, graphics, sound and games. Apple at the time didn't have the money to make and sell the Apple II, and was hoping Commodore would push the design to market. Commodore, however, preferred to develop the Commodore 64 as a simpler, lower-cost, black-and-white-only machine.

I have no insight on the Steves' attempt... But if you say the C64 was black-and-white-only machine, it means you have never been close to one -- Its graphic capabilities were at least up to par with Apple ]['s. And its sound was incredibly better.

Oh, and if from TFA you go to the company's website, you will see something that is way closer to an Amiga descendent than a C64 descendent (two of their available operating systems are Amiga-relted -- AmigaOS and AROS). Of course, the machine is neither a C64 nor an Amiga.

It's almost as saying I have a Xerox PARC at my desktop only because it has a mouse and sorta-windows.

Slashdotted, nice! Anyway, the site i meant was the homepage of this supposed "manufacturer" that licensed Commodore's brand. Here is the link. http://www.commodoreusa.net/index.html It's ludicrous :P