The biggest difference of the 8000 series over the 4000 series is that the 8000 models had a 12" screen as standard, and Basic 4.0. The CPU was the same 6502 running at 1 MHz, but improved circuitry allowed the 8000 series to run significantly faster.

The 8096 has a 80x25 character display and 96K of RAM, hence the model number of 8096. The original 8000 series shipped with 32K of Memory but allowed another 64K to be added externally for a total of 96KByte of RAM. Later production included the extra RAM pre-installed, and the model number was updated to 8096.

The 6502 is an 8-bit MicroProcessor designed by MOS Technology. The team was led by Chuck Peddle and had also worked on the Motorola 6800. The 6502 is a simplified, but faster and cheaper design than the 6800.

The 6502 was introduced in 1975 and was the cheapest microprocessor on the market. Together with the Zilog Z80, the 6502 helped start the home computer revolution of the 1980s. The 6502 was used in a wide range of devices: the Atari 2600, the 8-bit Atari home computers, the Apple II, the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Commodore 64, the BBC Micro and many others. All used the 6502 or a variation of it.

The 6502 is a 1MHz design, while the 6502A is designed for 2MHz. The 6502A is 100% compatible with the original 6502.

Commodore soon bought MOS Technology, but conitnued to sell the microprocessor to competitors and licensed the design to other manufacturers.