Legacy Machines: The Surprising Longevity of the Commodore 64
You might be amazed to learn how many legacy machines still quietly power our world. Take, for example, the Hilligoss Bakery in Brownsburg, Indiana, which relies on two Commodore 64s for daily operations. Yes, these iconic machines, first released in 1982, are still checking out orders decades later.
A user recently shared photos on X (formerly Twitter) showing the C64s in action, albeit from over a decade ago. Despite the age of the images, it’s remarkable to see these machines in a real-world setting, even in 2010. The photos reveal the C64s modified into point-of-sale (POS) systems with color-coded keys and connected to flat-screen monitors, a practical choice given the space limitations of bulky CRTs.
Tom’s Hardware reached out to the bakery, who confirmed the C64s remain in active use today. These machines have proven impressively reliable, free from the vulnerabilities and constant updates of modern internet-connected systems. It’s hard to imagine a contemporary Windows or Mac machine achieving such durability and longevity without significant maintenance or replacements.
Interestingly, the C64s at Hilligoss Bakery appear to be from the original “breadbox” series, aptly named for their resemblance to a classic breadbox. It’s a fitting choice for a bakery, blending nostalgia with practicality in a way that defies the rapid obsolescence of most technology.
