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For the Commodore 64 there was a product called the C64 Snail which could slow it down. Later on the early PCs we had a Turbo Button, but since everyone had it
by weinzierl 1y ago
For the Commodore 64 there was a product called the C64 Snail which could slow it down.
Later on the early PCs we had a Turbo Button, but since everyone had it in Turbo mode all the time it essentially was a way to slow down the machine.
EDIT: Found an image of what I remember as the "C64 Snail". It is called "BREMSE 64" (which is German for brake) in the image.
https://retroport.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/bremse64_rex9621_x228large29.jpg?w=2100&h= https://retroport.de/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/bremse64_rex...
- k__ 1y agoInteresting. I had the impression, the turbo button was created to slow down new PCs, so they could run old software that relied heavily on CPU speed.
- weinzierl 1y agoYes, originally it was added to slow down faster XTs to exactly the 4.77 MHz of the original IBM XT. With the AT it usually slowed down to some arbitrary frequency and it was more like a gimmick.
- deleted 1y ago[deleted]
- layer8 1y agoThe purpose of the Turbo button on PCs was indeed to slow it down, originally to the 4.77 MHz of the original 8088, for compatibility. For marketing reasons it was designated “turbo” instead of something indicating a slow-down. Turbo mode was always the default, since that was the standard speed of the respective CPU.
- skrebbel 1y agoWow thanks, this makes so much sense! I spent way too many brain cycles wondering about that button when I was a teenager.