While I love the Commodore computers, I can appreciate the Speccy as being the "good enough" computer which has some great software. While the c64 has impressive custom silicon, the overall system architecture is a bit slapped together. Whereas the Speccy is clearly a masterpiece of minimalist engineering and design:
- Great BASIC
- Clever use of surplus RAM
- ULA for system logic and video
The original dead-flesh design also looks fantastic and tiny. In 1982 it wasn't clear that the c64 would become the powerhouse it was and if Sinclair hadn't fumbled their supply chain, Commodore may have really needed that c16 line.