Commodore PET 2001-8-BS personal computer, 1977.

Personal computer by Commodore model 2001-8-BS, made in 1977.

Personal computer by Commodore, model 2001-8-BS, made in 1977. Exhibited at the Consumer Electronics Show in the United States in January 1977, the Commodore PET (Personal Electronic Transactor) was one of the first consumer-level microcomputers to be launched. Together with the Apple II and the Radio Shack TS 80, the PET revolutionised home computing. The model shown here is an early version with a built-in cassette tape drive and small 'chicklet' style keyboard and number pad, so called because keys were thought to resemble chewing gum sweets called Chiclets. These were replaced by a larger typewriter-style keyboard on subsequent models. This version of the PET had 8kb of RAM and used a MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor. Manufactured by Commodore Business Machines, United States.