|  What Is The Commodore 1551 (SFS-481)? |
History Hardware
The Commodore 1551 is the 'fast' disk drive intended for the TED series of computers. The 1551 connected to the computer through the cartridge (memory expansion) port, and had a duplicate port on the back of its' connector. This allowed up to two disk drives plus an external software cartridge to connect to the lone cartridge port on the back of the computer.
The 1551 transfers data up to 6 times faster than a 1541 connected to the serial port, hence the term 'fast' disk drive. The SFS-481 pictured in the original Commodore Plus/4 and 16 manuals is the same as the 1551. SFS-481 was the development name for the unit. No drives marked SFS-481 are known to exist.
All 1551 drives were originally meant for the European market. None were sold in the United States by Commodore or its' authorized agents. Today, US importers of 1551s from Europe complain of cracked cases upon receipt, suggesting that the plastic case of the 1551 is not as strong, or made of an inferior plastic that is more susceptible to damage.
"Kennedy" was an alternate development name for this drive. As it was only meant for the TED machines, it was jokingly called "TED Kennedy", in reference to a United States Senator from Massachusetts related to the former US President John Kennedy.
The 1551 uses a unique chip in its' connector, the MOS 6523, as well as a rare chip on the motherboard itself (MOS 6525T). Alternate sources for the 6525T are the Commodore Magic Voice or the B900. No other sources are known for the 6523.
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