As can be expected from a 15 year old magazine, the first issue of CU shares little with the final issue. In fact, until 1983 it was not even called Commodore User. During the first two years the magazine went under the name of Vic Computing. Launched in September 1981 by the Paradox Group, it became Europe's first Commodore-only magazine. At the time Commodore had an image as a business computer, so articles focussed upon the technical world of Vic programming. Games were covered to a limited extent but the reviews were short and uninteresting. The magazine also had a number of guest writers, penned by the likes of Jim Butterfield. After a few issues mentions of a SuperVic began to appear - a machine that would eventually become known as the Commodore 64.

As the launch of new Commodore machines approached and the Vic-20 appeared on its way out. The final issue of Vic Computing went on sale, dated August 1983, Vol. 2 Issue 6. The publishers explained their decision to relaunch the magazine describing the expense of magazine publishing and the wider market that the C64 would attract. The magazine then cocooned itself, to be launched two months later as Commodore User, incorporating Vic Computing.

Issues

Vic Computing remained a bimonthly publication for its entire life. The table below shows the publication date of each issue.

(Thanks to Phil Guerney for providing images of issue 1.)
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