2 ms·

i think commodore might have released a dual socket 6502 + 8086 system, so that it could run CP/M. A z80+6502 dual processor hybrid would also pretty interestin

i think commodore might have released a dual socket 6502 + 8086 system, so that it could run CP/M. A z80+6502 dual processor hybrid would also pretty interesting. Link would be nice if you know any more information.

NikkiA 3y ago
The C128 (and C128D/C128DR) had a 6502 (well, the '8510' version I think) and a Z80 co-processor for CP/M. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_128 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_128 The Commodore B128 (aka CBM II) had a 6502 (6509 in this case), and either a 8088 or a Z80 as an optional card for running CP/M-86 and MS-DOS, or CP/M programs respectively (the 8088 card would make it a DOS compatible, but not an IBM compatible). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_CBM-II https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_CBM-II Of the others in the list, The BBC Micro had an optional Z80, NS 32016 or 6502 co-processor via the 'Tube' port. The BBC Master had an optional Z80, NS 32016, 6502 or ARM1 co-processor via the same 'Tube' port OR a 80186 via an internal card. I think there were Z80 cards for the Apple IIs for CP/M, there was certainly a 8086-family card for them for MS-DOS. (After checking, the 'Microsoft Softcard' was a Z80 expansion for the Apple II that gave it CP/M support. Not on the list in this part of the thread, there was also the Super-PET which had a 6502 and a 6809 for various languages and presumably OS/9. One of the universities I went to also had an oddity in the form of a 3-CPU Super-PET with a Z80 in addition to the 6502 and 6809, but given that it had a huge hole cut in the side of the machine for an extra PCB, with a hand-wired 'CPU' switch, I'm guessing that was probably some weird homegrown bastardisation of a regular SuperPET, assuming it worked (I never saw it powered on).
- chaimanmeow 3y ago
  thanks for that detailed bit of eccentric 80s history! Yup it was the C128 I was thinking of but I incorrectly thought it had an x86-predecessor instead of the Z80. The C128 has it all, including good looks.

NikkiA 3y ago

The C128 (and C128D/C128DR) had a 6502 (well, the '8510' version I think) and a Z80 co-processor for CP/M. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_128 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_128 The Commodore B128 (aka CBM II) had a 6502 (6509 in this case), and either a 8088 or a Z80 as an optional card for running CP/M-86 and MS-DOS, or CP/M programs respectively (the 8088 card would make it a DOS compatible, but not an IBM compatible). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_CBM-II https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_CBM-II Of the others in the list, The BBC Micro had an optional Z80, NS 32016 or 6502 co-processor via the 'Tube' port. The BBC Master had an optional Z80, NS 32016, 6502 or ARM1 co-processor via the same 'Tube' port OR a 80186 via an internal card. I think there were Z80 cards for the Apple IIs for CP/M, there was certainly a 8086-family card for them for MS-DOS. (After checking, the 'Microsoft Softcard' was a Z80 expansion for the Apple II that gave it CP/M support. Not on the list in this part of the thread, there was also the Super-PET which had a 6502 and a 6809 for various languages and presumably OS/9. One of the universities I went to also had an oddity in the form of a 3-CPU Super-PET with a Z80 in addition to the 6502 and 6809, but given that it had a huge hole cut in the side of the machine for an extra PCB, with a hand-wired 'CPU' switch, I'm guessing that was probably some weird homegrown bastardisation of a regular SuperPET, assuming it worked (I never saw it powered on).

chaimanmeow 3y ago
thanks for that detailed bit of eccentric 80s history! Yup it was the C128 I was thinking of but I incorrectly thought it had an x86-predecessor instead of the Z80. The C128 has it all, including good looks.