Editing Commodore 64 (section)

==Variations==
===Original Commodore 64===
The alphanumeric keys are [[double-shot]] white on a very dark brown.
The [[Side-printing|front-printed]] "PETSCII" legends are likely [[pad printing|pad-printed]]. 

Most keyboards have dark grey function keys but some have orange, similar to the [[Commodore VIC-20|VIC-20]]'s. Some VIC-20s have also been spotted with grey function keys, but that is more unusual.
The reason why is unknown: one theory is that the orange was the original for both, and that grey is just a later variation. Another theory is that factories sometimes ran out of the intended variation and not being picky, used whatever they had on hand to meet demand.
The letter font on both variants is narrow (as opposed to PET-style wide letters on early VIC-20).

The "bread-bin" enclosure is also similar to that of the VIC-20 but has a warmer beige hue (called RAL1019) and different port openings on the bottom half.
On early cases, the top is interchangeable with the VIC-20's.
Later "bread-bin" C64 cases are slightly lower in height with no interchangeable part with the earlier cases. An even later variation has embossed port labels.<ref name="abyt"/>

===Commodore 64 Golden Series===
A limited edition made in 1984 to celebrate 1 million units sold. Has a gold-painted "bread-bin" case, with main keys in light beige and function keys in medium grey. Top legends are black, and front legends are gray. It is unknown how many were made, but it has been estimated to be max 350.<ref name="rgcyt"/>

===Commodore 64C===
Released in 1986, the enclosure was changed to a flatter, sleeker variant with a brighter hue, in a design style that it shares with the [[Commodore 128]] and later [[Commodore Amiga]] models with integrated keyboards.
This was made possible by having a smaller logic board with updated hardware. The keyboard is also moved forward and slanted more.

The 64C revision keyboard has been seen with what appears to be a [[Mitsumi standard mechanical]] latching switch for shift lock.<ref name="VCF-64C" /> 
This offers a suggestion as to the age of this switch.

The keys are now light beige, with medium gray function keys.
(Possibly the same keyboard as on the Golden C64)

===Commodore 64 Aldi===
Made in 1987 especially for German supermarket chain Aldi.
It was a C64C but put into a classic "bread-bin" case. Light beige keyboard.<ref name="rgcyt"/>

===Commodore 64C CR===
A '''c'''ost-'''r'''educed version of the C64C, released in 1988.
Cheaper case that is snapped together, not bolted.

All legends are pad-printed on top of the keys, in a different rounder font.
Legends on modifier keys are on top/left instead of centred.

===Commodore 64G===
A 1988 variant released in Europe, believed to be primarily for the '''G'''erman market.<ref name="rgcyt"/>
Has a bread-bin case but in brighter beige like the C64C, and with a reputation for being cheap and brittle.

The keyboard varies between specimens: it could be the cost-reduced variant or not.<ref name="suc64models"/>

===Unidentified keyboard===
Some Commodore 64 computers use an unidentified keyboard with Mitsumi-style sliders, but with an [[SMK J-M0404 series]] switch for Shift Lock.<ref name="Type-2" /> Typically, keyboards sourced from other manufacturers use whatever switches they have in their product range, but here, it looks like an attempt was made to clone the Mitsumi KSR switch mechanism. The PCB is marked "ACTION", which may indicate the manufacturer. The Mitsumi manufacture date label is also absent.