The PET is the first computer designed and built by Commodore Business Machines Incorporated. Commodore branched into the design and manufacture of personal computers from its manufacture of calculators. The PET came into a lot of criticism for its 'chicklet' keyboard which had very small, flat and cramped keys like those on a calculator. At the heart of the PET is MOS technologies' 6502 microprocessor (also used by Steve Wozniak in the Apple).

Unit is designed and manufactured by Commodore Business Computers Inc, California, USA.

The PET was operated by the user through the keyboard. With a built-in BASIC interpreter, no BASIC program loading was required and the system was ready for operation immediately on switch-on.

The PET sold for (US$595) about half the price of an Apple II. The PET was less popular in homes than in schools, while the Apple II continued to be the most popular in both settings (Comly, 127).

Used by the donor to learn about computers. He taught himself how to lay out and use spread sheets and may have put this knowledge to use. The donor also gained a grasp of the BASIC programming language which came with the PET. The PET's RAM was also increased from 8K to 16K.

The PET was purchased second Hand by the donor in 1980 for AUS$500.

Personal Computer, Commodore PET 2001, and manuals, metal/ plastic/ glass/ electrical components/ paper, Commodore Business Machines Inc, California USA.

Personal computer "Commodore PET 2001" , Personal Electronic Transactor, a pale grey painted steel cabinet, containing a CRT keyboard, computer board and a cassette player, with built-in black and white television monitor, which displays up to 1000 characters in 40 columns by 25 lines. The PET is controlled by a MCS 6502 microprocessor. The face of the PET is a sloped panel with a very small QWERTY keypad, of 53 multi function keys, to the right of this is a small numeric keypad of 20 multi function keys, the keys are cream plastic with metallic keytops in silver, blue or red, the characters are printed in black. On the left side is a built-in cassette dump/loader, a black plastic unit with transparent tape cover and five push button controls. A large adhesive label in brown and silver above these controls bears the name of the manufacture and model name of the computer "commodore/PET 2001 Series/personal/computer". The monitor is housed on top of the unit, it is a flared shape, wider at the base than at the top, with a square glass screen. Power cord protruding from the rear right side of the base of the unit, on the left side are three ports for multi pin plugs, above the first is a label, "FOR EXTERNAL CASSETTE ONLY".

Manual: White cardboard soft covered manual titled 'PET personal computer PET user manual model 2001-8'. Chapters include keyboard input, basic, programming, interfaces, and errors.

Manual: Soft cover, 266 page book. Blue cover shows black and white image of a PET computer and titled 'Herbert D Peckham Hands-on Basic with a PET'. Includes chapters on the PET computer, introduction to BASIC programs, applications, looping, sub-routines, and simulations.

Designed: Commodore Business Machines Inc; California, USA

Made: Commodore Business Machines Inc; California, USA; 1978


Used: Australia

Computer: warning label on the back of the monitor "WARNING/HIGH VOLTAGE INSIDE. DO/NOT OPEN CABINET. REFER/TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL". Distributors label, adhesive printed in black on silver "DISTRIBUTED IN AUSTRALIA BY/HANIMEX PTY. LTD". Manufactures label, adhesive, printed black on silver "commodore/PET 2001-8/voltage 240v [tilde]50hz Current750mA/Serial No 1009013/MADE IN USA".

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400 mm

430 mm

480 mm