Commodore VIC-20

What hackers pick instead

• Commodore 64Remembered as an affordable home computer whose built-in BASIC, manual, graphics and sound got a generation programming and gaming; critics note a weak CPU and new-model firmware lock-down attempts.121recommend
• Commodore AmigaLoved for its graphics, multitasking and video features; critics say it cost too much at launch and its custom chips limited it.60recommend
• ZX SpectrumA 1980s home computer many people learned BASIC programming and games on, praised for its quirks and repairable boards. Critics point to rubber keys and colour clash.31recommend
• TI-99/4ARecommended for nostalgia, a well-written BASIC manual and a first taste of programming; critics say its cost-optimised design hobbled performance and its 16KB of memory is very limiting.26recommend
• Commodore Amiga 500Recommended for responsive multitasking, a large software library and good value in its era, with many fond memories. Critics say windows redraw slowly and the 50Hz display flickers.20recommend

Every quote

The 18 most detailed of 19 comments. Each links to the original.

1. The VIC-20 came with an easy-to-read manual that introduced new users to the basics of programming with the machine's built-in BASIC

   Recommends · May 2026 · in “Childhood Computing”

2. It could be read by children and gradually introduced programming concepts in such a way to ease anxiety.

   Recommends · Oct 2026 · in “Recreational Programming”

3. By making the PETSCII birds fly how I chose, I learned the elements of composing and modifying software.

   Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “JVIC: New web-based Commodore VIC 20 emulator”

4. came with one of the best "intro to programming" guides a kid could ask for

   Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Reports of code's death are greatly exaggerated”

5. alllllmost everything in my life is downstream of that Vic 20 and C64.

   Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “I Owe My Life to the Commodore 64”

6. I have nothing but fond memories of the time I spent doing that

   Recommends · Sep 2026 · in “What even is an OS now?”

7. started coding in 1981 on an VC20, learned a lot from it

   Recommends · Oct 2026 · in “Apple Music 404 Not Found”

8. It has the best manual for any computer ever made imo

   Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “We Are the Last People Who Know How It Works”

9. It gave me places to go when I really needed them.

   Recommends · Oct 2026

10. the VIC 20 started me on the programming path

    Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “JVIC: New web-based Commodore VIC 20 emulator”

11. They shipped earlier products (VIC-20, 1540) with hardware defective 6522

    Criticizes · Jan 2026 · in “Commodore 64 floppy drive has the power to be a computer and runs BASIC”

12. my VIC20 was never the most stable machine, crashing frequently

    Criticizes · Jan 2026 · in “JVIC: New web-based Commodore VIC 20 emulator”

13. The world got more benefit from c64s and vic20s than all the iProducts together.

    Recommends · Oct 2026 · in “Apple Music 404 Not Found”

14. My original VIC 20 machine that I had in the 80s still works as well

    Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “JVIC: New web-based Commodore VIC 20 emulator”

15. no-one knew what I was doing on my Vic-20, you should try it

    Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Reddit User Uncovers Who Is Behind Meta's $2B Lobbying for Age Verification Tech”

16. which is slower than the one before that (the PET)

    Mixed · Mar 2026 · in “C64 Copy Protection”

17. the price on the C64 just made the VIC20 totally pointless

    Criticizes · Jul 2026 · in “I Owe My Life to the Commodore 64”

18. Major bummer. In 20 columns.

    Criticizes · Jul 2026 · in “I Owe My Life to the Commodore 64”