Vintage Commodore 128 Personal Computer Handbook: 2019 Survival Edition

An enjoyable read for a retro hobbyist, this book serves as both a time capsule and reference point for rediscovering the joys and simplicity of 80s computers-from a 2019 perspective! The author originally wrote this full-scope introduction in the 1980s when the Commodore 128 was first released. Unpublished, it sat for over three decades. Now, with ever increasing interest in earlier home computing, this book incorporates a contemporary commentary and reflection on using a C128 in the 21st Century.Originally aimed at the new-user, as many home computer users were in the mid-80s, this book does not attempt to dive too deeply into technical information. There's some scant programming but the emphasis is on the basics of a new user's experience and overcoming the learning curve. From the rear view mirror of 2019, things we assume or applications we often take for granted as simple in today's world, were down-right intimidating to your great grandparents who came home with their first ever computer experience. Some of it is slow and even cringe-worthy, you have to accept that the book was written for a different time and era when it comes to technology.All in all, this is a good read and worth the low self-published cover price. If you are already into retro technology, you'll enjoy this in your collection as a good way to spend a trans-continental flight. When you get home, drag the 128 out of the closet, blow the dust off, and explore some of the amazing things that are being developed and sold TODAY. This book will help you remember and relive that experience again.

Back in 1985 when she was the technical editor for RUN magazine, and she had gotten her hands on an early production C128. She was also writing this book and just as it was finished the book publisher pulled out and her manuscript lay in a box for more than 30 years.Like a lot of us she got her trusty old C128 out of mothballs and set about to get it working again and see what sort of Commodore scene there was today. This book is a fusion of that old manuscript from 1985 and good information for new enthusiast interested in the C128, to help them get going. She does a good job of letting the reader know which sections of the book are vintage and which are new. Sometimes you get a taste of what such a book would have been aiming to tell a reader in 1985 and sometimes you get a contrast to different choices available to today’s C128 owner (like storage options.)I also did a video review on this book. Search YouTube for Hey Birt and you will find it.

I bought a C64 in 1983. During the ensuing years I was always on a very tight budget and didn't see the value of a C128 at that time. Fast forward to now and I have a C128 emulator using the software package C64 Forever. That's fantastic but there is a lot going on with the C128 that isn't in the C64. I'd like a manual. This is what I was looking for.One reviewer mentioned poor printing and graphics. Not with my copy. Everything looks fine. I'm impressed that Ms. Morabito resurrected something she started in the '80's and published it.

I like this book because it was originally written when the C128 came out, but was canceled by the publisher. With the rebirth of the C128, the author updated the book. This book covers original material and updated facts about the computer. It is perhaps the best book for modern information about this retro computer.

This book explains the introduction of Commodore 128 and how to use it with today's technology. But I read this book like a beautiful novel that took me back to the eighties and made smiles on my face. Thank you Margaret.

This book was originally written in 1985 when the C-128 was a new machine. However, after pulling her machine out of storage in 2016 the author (who once was the Tech Editor for RUN Magazine in the 1980's) began to update the manuscript to be relevant to readers in 2019. It's a fantastic blend of old and new, for old folks wanting to rekindle their C-128 memories and new folks jumping fresh into the scene today and needing a bit of help to get there.Frankly, it's one of the best C-128 books out there and is an excellent addition to any C= fan's bookshelf. Highly recommended!

Wow. It is just amazing to see a brand new full-sized paperback book all about one of my favorite computers show up on Amazon. Margaret has written a fantastic book, much of it taken from a book that she had all but finished over 30 years ago and now updated to reflect what is going on with the Commodore 128 today. It is well written and so far seems to be very accurate. I really look forward to finishing this cover to cover.

An easy to read, Very good book with a lot of good info.

Well i failed GCSE English twice, and scraped through on my 3rd attempt - so not very good with book reviews. I have had a start at reading it, and have flicked through the chapters, and what they contain. It doesn't contain anything new to me - but it seems a really handy book to keep around for reference. It has got good content and covers the 128 very well, both from the 80's view and the 2019 view. It goes in depth at the different hardware available both then and now, also in to the three main modes, and programming both Basic, and Machine as well as CPM. Hopefully others will give better reviews when they get theirs, but certainly well worth the money - and always good to support C128 projects.

La calidad del libro impreso no corresponde con las imagenes ofrecidas en "Echa un vistazo". Te avisan que estás viedno la versión Kindle pero esperas que la impresa tenga también las fotos en color, y no es así, son en blanco y negro y encima en baja resolución, vaya que se ven hasta borrosas.No lo recomiendo ni regalado.Le pongo un estrella ya que no me deja poner menos.

Although this book's information is a 2nd-next-to-none reading and contains almost everything one would need to know and understand in order to start re-doing amazing things with C-128, the lay-out of the printing and the information presentation is very poor. Endless pages with only bold-face letters & head-titles differentiating the content in an arrangement not so easy to be referenced. Colored pens and highlighters are certainly needed for the reading/studying of this book. A very important and full of precious information book otherwise.

Il libro è in inglese fondamentalmente la maggior parte dei contenuti è degli anni 80 ed è stato aggiornato qualche anno fa. Consiste nella presentazione generale della macchina e delle sue periferiche, comprese le varie funzionalità e il cpm dos. Contiene una integrazione di nuovi contenuti, con nuove soluzioni, per usb, schede sd e internet. Ammetto di averlo comprato perchè si presentava anche con una sezione dedicata alla soluzione di problemi, che si è rivelata costituita soltanto da qualche pagina su un totale di 150 circa. Visto che mi è sembrata veramente insufficiente, e con indicazioni molto sommarie del tipo scollegare i cavetti e riavviare, ho deciso di renderlo.

And yet another milking approach. I am so sad to see when people abuse our love for retro computers. Print quality is awful... I mean, awful. It's no more than a cheap photocopy of a word document. And all the visuals are in black and white. Honestly, I wouldn't mind the print quality if the content was good. Yes, you guessed right. There's nothing in this book that cannot be found online with a simple google search. You can actually find more. No need to mention, you can download all the original books and programming references from that era for free (as it's been more than 30 years, they are all free with no copyright issues). When I first saw this title, I expected something like an add-on to all those publications, but it's not even close to being a reference. Friendly advice, save your money.