Editing Commodore 128 (section)

== Market performance ==

By January 1987, ''[[.info (magazine)|Info]]'' reported that "All of those rumors about the imminent death of the C128 may have some basis in fact." Stating that Commodore wanted to divert resources to increasing 64C production and its PC clones, the magazine stated that, "The latest word online is that the last C128 will roll off the lines in December of 1987."<ref name="info198701">{{Cite magazine |date= January–February 1987 |title=The Rumor Mill |url=https://archive.org/stream/info-magazine-13/Info_Issue_13_1987_Jan-Feb#page/n51/mode/2up |magazine=Info |page=52 | issue=13}}</ref> ''Compute!'' stated in 1989, "If you bought your 128 under the impression that 128-specific software would be plentiful and quick to arrive, you've probably been quite disappointed. One of the 128's major selling points is its total compatibility with the 64, a point that's worked more against the 128 than for it."<ref name="randall198906">{{cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/stream/1989-06-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_109_1989_Jun#page/n55/mode/2up | title=128 Only | magazine=Compute! | volume=11 |issue=6 #109| date=June 1989 | access-date=11 November 2013 | last=Randall |first=Neil | pages=54}}</ref> Because the 128 would run virtually all 64 software, and because the next-generation [[32-bit computing|32]]/[[16-bit computing|16-bit]] home computers—primarily the [[Amiga|Commodore Amiga]] and [[Atari ST]]—represented the latest technology, relatively little software for the C128's native mode appeared (probably on the order of 100–200 commercial titles, plus the usual share of public domain and magazine [[type-in program]]s), leading some users to regret their purchase.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/run-magazine-35/Run_Issue_35_1986_Nov#page/n133/mode/2up|title=The Mail Run |pages=132–133|magazine=[[Run (magazine)|RUN]] |volume=3|issue=11 #35|date=November 1986}}</ref> While the C128 sold a total number of 4&nbsp;million units between 1985 and 1989, its popularity paled in comparison to that of its predecessor.

Some C64 software such as ''[[Bard's Tale III]]'' and ''[[Kid Niki]]'' ran in 128 mode without stating this in the documentation, using the autoboot and the 1571's faster disk access.<ref name="randall198810">{{cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/stream/1988-10-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_101_1988_Oct#page/n47/mode/2up | title=More Games | magazine=Compute! | volume=10 |issue=10 #101 | date=October 1988 | access-date=10 November 2013 | last=Randall |first=Neil | pages=47}}</ref> Some [[Infocom]] text adventures took advantage of the 80-column screen and increased memory capacity. Some C64 games were ported to native mode like ''[[Kikstart 2]]'' and ''[[The Last V8]]'' from [[Mastertronic]], which had separate C128 versions, and ''[[Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny]]'' from [[Origin Systems]], which used extra RAM for music if running on the C128. ''[[Star Fleet I: The War Begins]]'' from Interstel had separate versions, and took advantage of 80-column display on the C128. However, the vast majority of games were simply run in C64 mode as few developers took advantage of the C128's native performance.<ref name=":0" />

By contrast, many C64 productivity software titles were ported to the C128, including the popular [[PaperClip]] and Paperback Writer series.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/14543870/Commodore-Magazine-Vol08N07-1987-Jul|title=Digital Solutions Inc. |type=Advertising |magazine=Commodore Magazine| page=2|date=July 1987 |volume=8 |number=7 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> This software used the extra memory, 80-column screen, enhanced keyboard and large-capacity disk drives to provide features that were considered essential for business use.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/run-magazine-27/Run_Issue_27_1986_Mar#page/n25/mode/2up|title=Productivity Plus for the C-128 |first=Bob |last=Guerra |pages=24–36 |magazine=[[Run (magazine)|RUN]] |volume=3 | issue=3 #27|date=March 1986}}</ref> With its advanced BASIC programming language, [[CP/M]] compatibility and "[[user-friendly]]" native software packages such as [[Jane (software)|Jane]], Commodore attempted to create a low-end business market for the C128 similar to its strategy with the [[Commodore Plus/4|Plus/4]], even distancing itself from the home computer label by branding the C128 a "Personal Computer" on the case.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/ahoy-magazine-20/Ahoy_20_August_1985#page/n27/mode/2up|title=Opening Ceremonies for the Commodore 128 |first=Morton |last=Kevelson |pages=29–34 |magazine=Ahoy! |issue=20|date=August 1985}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/run-magazine-15/Run_Issue_15_1985_Mar#page/n7/mode/2up|title=The New Commodore PC |page=6 |magazine=[[Run (magazine)|RUN]] |volume=2 |issue=3 #15|date=March 1985}}</ref> Significantly, the C128 was the first Commodore computer to advertise its use of [[Microsoft BASIC]], where the Microsoft name would have been a competitive asset.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

People who wanted business machines bought IBM PC clones almost exclusively by the time the C128 was released. The availability of low-cost IBM compatibles like the [[Leading Edge Model D]] and [[Tandy 1000]] that, in some cases, sold for less than a complete C128 system derailed Commodore's [[small business]] computer strategy.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} There was a professional-level [[CAD program]], Home Designer by BRiWALL,<ref>{{cite magazine| url=https://archive.org/stream/run-magazine-64/Run_Issue_64_1989_Apr#page/n47/mode/2up |title=Briwall |type=Advertising| page=46 |magazine=[[Run (magazine)|RUN]] |volume=6 |issue=4 #64}}</ref> but again, most of this work was done on PCs by the C128's era. The main reason that the C128 still sold fairly well was probably that it was a much better machine for hobbyist programming than the C64, as well as being a natural follow-on model to owners with significant investments in C64 peripherals and software.{{original research inline|date=December 2023}}

But ultimately the C128 could not compete with the new 16/32-bit systems, which outmatched it and the rest of its 8-bit generation in nearly every aspect. When the C128(D/DCR) was discontinued in 1989, it was reported to cost nearly as much to manufacture as the [[Amiga 500]], even though the C128D had to sell for several hundred dollars less to keep the Amiga's high-end marketing image intact.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

[[Bil Herd]] has stated that the design goals of the C128 did not initially include 100% compatibility with the C64. Some form of compatibility was always intended after Herd was approached at the Plus/4's introduction by a woman who was disappointed that the educational software package she had written for the C64 would not run on Commodore's new computer, but when Commodore's marketing department learned of this, they independently announced total compatibility. Herd gave the reason for the 128's inclusion of a Z80 processor as ensuring this "100% compatibility" claim, since supporting the C64's Z80 cartridge would have meant the C128 supplying additional power to the cartridge port. He also stated that the VDC video chip and Z80 were sources of trouble during the machine's design. Herd added that "I only expected the C128 to be sold for about a year, we figured a couple of million would be nice and of course it wouldn't undercut Amiga or even the C64".<ref name=":0">[http://www.kirps.com/web/main/_blog/all/in-memory-of-the-commodore-c128.shtml In Memory Of The Commodore C128] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129021635/http://www.kirps.com/web/main/_blog/all/in-memory-of-the-commodore-c128.shtml |date=29 November 2014 }}</ref> After Commodore raised the price of the 64 for the first time by introducing the redesigned 64C in 1986, its profit from each 64C sold was reportedly much greater than that from the C128.<ref name="leemon198702">{{cite magazine | url=https://archive.org/stream/1987-02-compute-magazine/Compute_Issue_081_1987_Feb#page/n25/mode/2up | title=Microscope | magazine=Compute! | volume=9 |issue=2 #81 | date=February 1987 | access-date=9 November 2013 | last=Leemon |first=Sheldon | pages=24}}</ref>