Classic Computer Magazine Archive COMPUTE! ISSUE 54 / NOVEMBER 1984 / PAGE 10

Commodore Plus/64?

After reading about the new Commodore Plus/4, I loved the idea of their BASIC having 60K of user memory, even though I don't care for the reduced graphics and sound capabilities. Is it physically and electronically possible to install the Plus/4's BASIC ROM chip into the 64?

Ken Climer

Although the ROM chips used in the Plus/4 can plug into your 64 physically, as well as respond properly electrically, the software contained in the chips is incompatible with the hardware of the 64. Even though both machines use software-compatible microprocessors, the 64 does not map its memory, graphics, sound, or input/output in the same manner as the Plus/4. An experienced programmer might be able to translate the BASIC, but it would be quite a task. The 64 Super Expander cartridge offers the same graphics commands found on the Plus/4, although there are no disk commands.