Based on your description of the Apple IIe, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum was better still. Better high res graphics, similar sound capabilities (on the 128k model) and more software (at least in the UK).

Bonus reason: The spectrum was a fraction of the size of an AppleIIe, about the size of a small book. But the rubber keys did suck.

As I recall it, the 128k model of Spectrum didn't launch until the 8-bit era was coming to a close and 16 bit boxes had been out for a few years. The first-gen Spectrum was horrid (1k, worse than chiclet keyboard), though the second gen was acceptable (but not comparable to either of the 64 k machines in question). One could buy a C128D or an Apple IIc by the time the 128k Speccy existed, and those machines were at least comparable, and the Amige and Apple IIgs (or Macintosh) would blow the Speccy away.

Not saying Spectrums weren't awesome (I don't really know; the only one I ever owned was that 1k first-gen model with a 16k expansion; it was miserable), just that you kinda have to compare Apples to...umm...not Apples.

And, of course, the C64 is the bestselling personal computer of all time.

(I should admit that you're arguing with an 11 year old SwellJoe here...I loved my C64. And, crazy as it sounds, I also bought some C64s on eBay over the past few months for use in composing chiptunes. Thus, evidence indicates I might be mentally unstable with regard to the C64. Backing away slowly might be the best option.)

You'd think that someone who owned a ZX Spectrum would know that the minimum spec memory was 16Kb, not 1Kb. :-)

Actually, what I owned was a Timex Sinclair 1000, which was a rebranded ZX-81. Apologies for the confusion. The rest of the Sinclair Spectrum line never made it to the states, as far as I know...so my knowledge is limited to what I read in magazines back then, and what I've read on the net since then.

I think he may have been thinking of the ZX-80, precursor to the spectrum. I recall reading a review of it many years ago - it came in kit form, and was a really primitive machine.

One interesting thing about C64 vs Spectrum is the C64 had a thriving 'warez' scene. For instance, there were tons of packers (eg, like a ZIP file) on the C64 (to save disk and tape space), and literally none on the Spectrum!

Why did the c64 version of the same games often had (significantly) better graphics? Did it just get more attention from developers?

C64 had better graphics modes available. It had higher resolution and better color availability (same number of colors, but the C64 could use more of them in a smaller area). The C64 had quite powerful, for the time, dedicated chips for sound and video, including providing hardware sprites, which took a lot of load off of the processor (a very similar CPU was in both the Apple and C64), so the C64 could do more on screen at once.

Also, because of the popularity of the platform, developers knew it really well, and were able to utilize tricks to occasionally go above and beyond expectations (for example, it's possible to get a lot more than 16 colors out of the C64, particular in still images). These undocumented modes and techniques became pretty common knowledge through the several magazines that covered the platform, and through various demo/warez scene channels (like bulletin boards).

The C64 also improved the fitness of its owners - you could play outside with your friends while a game loaded :)