Few rivalries sparked as much passion in the early days of consumer technology as the battle between the Apple II and the Commodore 64. Though both pioneering products, these systems took diverging paths – one emphasizing business functionality, the other gaming and entertainment.
Released in 1977, the Apple II was one of the first mass-produced personal computers. Sporting a 1 MHz MOS 6502 CPU, 4KB standard RAM (expandable to 48KB), color graphics, and an open architecture, the Apple II line would go one to sell over 6 million units across various iterations.
The Commodore 64 followed 5 years later in 1982, boasting a faster 1 MHz MOS 6510 processor, 64KB RAM, powerful custom VIC-II graphics, and superior sound via the famous SID audio chip. More affordable at $595, the C64 became the best selling computer model of all time, moving over 17 million units.
Below we‘ll explore the histories, hardware, software libraries and legacies of the Apple II series and Commodore 64 to better understand this pivotal tech battle.
Background and History
The earliest microcomputers of the 1970s like the Altair 8800 were sold primarily as kits for hobbyists. Apple aimed to take computing mainstream with 1977‘s pre-assembled Apple II. Standing just 4 inches tall, cream in color with integrated keyboard and loading programs via audio cassette tapes, the Apple II brought a degree of appliance-like simplicity to early personal computing.
Though advertised for small business, education and the home, the Apple II platform grew popular among the burgeoning gaming market. Hits like Galactic Empire, Epoch and Wizardry cemented the Apple II‘s status as a capable gaming machine.
The Commodore 64 entered the fray in 1982 with specifications that outpaced many contemporary systems. It represented the pinnacle of 8-bit computing in the early 1980s. The C64 excelled not just in computing capability, but also price, mass production scale, marketing and the size of software library. Games drove much of its early success.
By as early as 1983, sales were nearing 1 million per year. But a series of questionable leadership decisions would lead Commodore to declare bankruptcy in 1994. Apple weathered its own financial troubles in the 1990s before emerging with a renewed focus on innovation.
Design and Hardware
The original Apple II released as a simple motherboard needing third party gear like a case and power supply. Still, its self-contained design was leaps ahead of DIY computer kits. The 1983 Apple IIe introduced an all-in-one keyboard, power and storage solution. Meanwhile the iconic beige plastic Commodore 64 integrated a membrane keyboard with the main unit – akin to a contemporary game console.
Both machines employed variations of the MOS 6502 CPU running at 1 MHz. But the C64 boasted 64KB RAM – 4 times that of early Apple II‘s. The C64‘s custom VIC-II graphics chip enabled vibrant color, sprites and smooth scrolling. Stereo sound also exceeded Apple‘s mono capabilities. While the Apple II line gained parity in computing specs over time, it never matched some strengths of C64 multimedia hardware.
In terms of storage, early models relied on audio tapes before 51⁄4” floppy disks became standard equipment. External drives connected to an expansion port on the Apple II, while the C64 drive integrated into the main case. Maximum Apple II storage reached 1MB with the Apple II High-Density Disk Controller card, dwarfing the C64‘s 170KB floppy disks.
Both machines were adept at leveraging peripherals via expansion ports. First party and third party add-ons ranged from printers, modems and memory cards to 80-column display cards, light pens, hard drives and even early digital cameras! This level of configurability was ahead of its time.
Software Libraries
The Apple II grew popular early on for practical business programs from spreadsheet VisiCalc to word processor Bank Street Writer. But gaming hits like high fantasy Wizardry, space adventure Epoch and early graphic adventure Mystery House laid the foundation for future PC game development on the platform.
By comparison, Commodore explicitly marketed the C64 towards games and home entertainment. The machine amassed over 20,000 commercial software titles in its lifespan – most being games taking advantage of hardware strengths like sprite capability and quality sound reproduction. Titles like racing simulator Pole Position and shooter game Raid Over Moscow set industry standards in graphics and gameplay.
Both platforms saw many multiplatform game conversions as the lines blurred between console and computer gaming. Top performers included early narrative game The Oregon Trail, classic flight simulator Chuck Yeager‘s Advanced Flight Simulator and million-selling roleplaying epic Ultima IV. The C64 arguably saw more exclusives, but the Apple II balanced gaming with more business applications.
Sales and Market Performance
Priced at approximately $1200-2400 (adjusted for inflation), the Apple II was initially much costlier than home gaming consoles of the era. Software like VisiCalc proved its value as a productivity machine for personal and business needs. Upon the more affordably-priced Apple IIe model in 1983, the platform sold over 6 million units through the IIe and subsequent IIGS.
Retailing for $595 in 1982, The Guinness Book of World Records cites Commodore 64 lifetime sales reaching as high as 17 million units. That likely makes it the single highest-selling computer model in history. At its peak popularity in the mid-1980s, the C64 became more ubiquitous than competitors as a flexible machine straddling work and play applications. For a time it was deemed the price/performance leader until more powerful 16-bit computers emerged.
Legacy and Impact
Apple gradually exited the II line to focus on the Macintosh and beyond. But the computer‘s impact on Apple and the broader industry is undeniable. It proved everyday people would purchase home computers, validated the market potential beyond hobbyists and set Apple on a trajectory towards becoming one of the world‘s most valuable companies.
Likewise the Commodore 64 success catalyzed home computer adoption and gaming development for PCs. It brought computing to the masses and expanded awareness of technology‘s creative potential in areas like music composition and visual arts.
The C64 became almost a cultural icon as the world’s best selling single PC model ever. Enthusiasts keep its legacy alive via emulators and events like "commodore parties" staging demos. The Apple II series still garners interest among collectors and retro computing fans – a testament to its role in bringing personal computers into mainstream life.
Reliving the Magic Today
For those interested in revisiting these classic machines, both computers remain collectible on the secondary market. Working units with monitors and peripherals easily fetch a few hundred dollars depending on rarity and condition. Be prepared for disk drive maintenance and potential analog display calibration.
More accessible options exist to emulate the 8-bit Apple II line or Commodore 64 experience on a modern Windows, Mac or Linux computer. Open source emulators like C64 Forever or AppleWin recreate these old OS environments. Pair them with USB gamepad controllers, digitized software libraries and even replica plastic cases to simulate that old school computer vibe!
So which early 80s legend wins out – the Apple II or Commodore 64? There may be no definitive winner, as both systems profoundly impacted technology and pop culture in an era when computing was far less ubiquitous. We owe these pioneering platforms credit for pushing interactive technology into the mainstream consumer conscience – setting the stage for modern digital life.
