From the Forum issue 99

[markopoloman]

I've neither owned or played either but I'd say C64 as the Spectrums rubber keys scare me!

Don't get a rubber key one then! There are more models with proper keyboards than rubber keys.

But the 'proper' keyboards weren't even proper keyboards!

[ncf1]

Spectrum:

Rubber keyed version was small enough to allow Pron mags on the desk also. These could be read, well stared at, whilst a game loaded.

Depending on the game possibly enough time to crack one off.

..see but with the C64 you didn't NEED any extra titillation.

and also, what on earth were you doing with that sort of literature at the age of 9 years old, they were seriously hard to get a hold of back then. Had to scan roadsides and stuff, put hands into rabbit holes, etc.

[adippm82]

Spectrum for me, I could play C64 games round my mates houses who owned them, but never felt a single pang of jealousy ever, they both had great games, but I have too many memories of the 800 plus game collection that is still in the attic, and a Spectrum +3 is still attached to the telly.

I have aquired one of my mates C64, and have sourced a disc drive for it, but it does not get much use to be honest, it is only natural for the computer/console that you grew up with to be the favourite, and if it was so inferior to the C64 as some suggest, why did my Commodore owning friends spend so much time playing on it.

The thing for me is the Spectrum produced games that it should not have been capable of, that is why it is so fondly remembered by it's owners, it was cheap, the games plentiful, and was obviously easy to program for by the results.

[pantal00ns]

Spectrum:

Rubber keyed version was small enough to allow Pron mags on the desk also. These could be read, well stared at, whilst a game loaded.

Depending on the game possibly enough time to crack one off.

..see but with the C64 you didn't NEED any extra titillation.

and also, what on earth were you doing with that sort of literature at the age of 9 years old, they were seriously hard to get a hold of back then. Had to scan roadsides and stuff, put hands into rabbit holes, etc.

I was 12 or so but let not split pubic hairs.

I pinched them of the old man, this was back in the day when Drawing offices use buy them, attach a checklist, then pass them round the office. When I started work the best ones were in a machine shop, proper continental porny stuff, good times!

[Darran@Retro Gamer]

Just had the feature in and there's a definite winner. Let's just say some are going to be happy and some aren't.

[NickLoTurco10]

I'm an avid Spectrum 48k fan. I love them both almost equally as they gave us our first proper console/computer rivalry, which was obviously shaded by the 48k!

[r0jaws]

Just had the feature in and there's a definite winner. Let's just say some are going to be happy and some aren't.

Award for the most obvious statement of the year so far goes to....

[MikeFishcake]

Tee hee - this is brilliant! Some people getting really upset about the preference of one money making business over another!

And yes. I'm sure this article will finally end the debate of C64 vs Spectrum once and for all

And because I'm awkward, my take on the matter is I owned and liked a Speccy +3 which was ace, but now I mostly play emulated C64 games.

Can't say I feel the need to get upset about other peoples' opinions or preferences TBH, and certainly don't see the point in spending a lot of time digging through wikipedia and other reference sites to try and prove a point that doesn't matter in the slightest.

[BennyTheGreek]

Spectrum for me as I got one for xmas 93 after owning a zx81

the rubber keys moulded to my fingers and the games meant I failed loads of my o levels (remember them)

all my mates had them and the ability to get a tape off my mates and then pass a tape to my mates was the ultimate social network.

Yes it was illegal but being 14 it was also really really cool to be "a pirate"

The games were brilliant and thats enough reasons.....

[AmigaJay]

Spectrum for me as I got one for xmas 93 after owning a zx81

Crikey! Xmas 1993 i didnt know 48K machines were still being made then

[Guinless]

I have to say I really cannot decide. Back in the 80's and well into the 90's I was C64 all the way, nothing else could come close, and I never owned a Spectrum. But looking back now, I also have happy memories of playing on the Spectrums of my friends (yes, we could co-exist), and both machines have their merits. I also used to read their copy of Crash every Month, and likewise, thay read my Zzap64! SO, on the fence here I'm afraid.

[neuromancer]

I loved the smell of the original 48K Speccy (and th ZX-81 before it) - the aroma of technology evokes my youth like nothing else!

[ChipTune]

What a painfully obvious and lazy way to get people into one of those old schoolyard 'my machine is better than yours' arguements.. Its not cool now (people are still doing it with xbox 360 and PS3) and it wasnt cool then.

Both had their good and bad points. I personally loved my c64 and thought the spectrum looked utter gash after playing one round various friends houses.. In my eyes it just couldnt compete graphics or sound wise.

Do we really need this kind of comparison garbage in the mag? really? GAMEStm did a 3DS vs Vita thing last month and that was lame too.

I expect better, especially in the 100th issue.. I hope this article isnt a long one.

[ncf1]

dont think there's anything 'painful' in such an exercise at all; it brings out what people feel about the machines, strengths and weaknesses, what people like/dont like. its all a bit of fun and I like to hear what people have to say about the differences.

[markopoloman]

What a painfully obvious and lazy way to get people into one of those old schoolyard 'my machine is better than yours' arguements.. Its not cool now (people are still doing it with xbox 360 and PS3) and it wasnt cool then.

Both had their good and bad points. I personally loved my c64 and thought the spectrum looked utter gash after playing one round various friends houses.. In my eyes it just couldnt compete graphics or sound wise.

Do we really need this kind of comparison garbage in the mag? really? GAMEStm did a 3DS vs Vita thing last month and that was lame too.

I expect better, especially in the 100th issue.. I hope this article isnt a long one.

Says the guy that just waded in with ' I personally loved my c64 and thought the spectrum looked utter gash after playing one round various friends houses.. In my eyes it just couldnt compete graphics or sound wise.'

You are of course correct in that statement! As for it being lazy and pointless - don't be so bloody daft! It has been a tongue in cheek fight for many many years and long may it continue