Commodore SX-64

Before Portable, We Had Luggable

I recently spent eight hours on a plane crossing the Atlantic Ocean. While sipping my drink and enjoying a small disk of warmed nuts, it was impossible to ignore just how many passengers — practically everyone awake — had their eyes glued to either a laptop, a smartphone, or the in-seat entertainment screen. It really made me wish I had brought my Commodore SX-64.

In 1983, not long after the launch of the Commodore 64, Commodore released a portable version of their computer. Marketed as the Executive 64, the SX-64 was an all-in-one solution that included a Commodore 64 computer (complete with a detachable keyboard), a 1541 disk drive, and a 5” color CRT screen. Attached to the case was a handle that could be pivoted and used as a stand to tilt the machine up toward the user. Save for a few minor differences (like the removal of the Datasette port), the SX-64 was essentially 100% compatible with a full size C64. While the small 5” screen didn’t make the machine much fun for programming or word processing, most software (including Commodore’s large library of games) ran perfectly.

While the SX-64 was advertised and sold as a portable computer for executives on the go, over the years people have attached the name “luggable” to these types of machines. While the machine’s handle makes it easy to transport, at 23lbs it’s not much fun to carry around for long. That being said, moving a traditional C64 setup — we’re talking the computer, disk drive, and a CRT — usually took multiple trips.

The rear of the SX-64 contained all the connections needed to hook up an external monitor, additional disk drives, a printer, and even joysticks. If you’re wondering why more people didn’t choose the SX-64 over a traditional C64, it was probably the price. Because it was marketed as a business machine, the SX-64 launched at a price point of $995 — around $3,000 in today’s currency.

Despite being a rather remarkable technical achievement, one thing that did not exist in the early 1980s were portable laptop batteries. The SX-64 had to be connected to a power outlet, which limited its portability. I have always dreamed of carrying mine into my local Starbucks, setting up shop at a table, and working away.

And now that I think about it… the Boeing 777 we flew across the Atlantic in had a 120v power plug right there in our seat. Maybe I should have brought my SX-64 on the plane after all!