Why the Vic-20 is number one

[Boray]

• Vic-20 was Commodore’s first home computer.‎
• Vic-20 was the first computer with color graphics for under $300.‎
• Vic-20 was the first computer with color graphics for under $100.‎
• Vic-20 was Commodore’s first computer with color graphics.‎
• Vic-20 was the first computer to sell over one million units.‎
• Vic-20 has the fastest basic among Commodore 8 bit computers using a TV as monitor.‎
• Vic-20 was the first home computer with a dynamically sizable screen (?)‎
• Vic-20 was my first computer.‎

If I got any of this wrong, then feel free to correct me.

[orion70]

I won't correct you: agree on all the line
All your points are worth to mention, but they're nothing without the last one. You never forget the first love!

[eslapion]

• Vic-20 has the fastest basic among Commodore 8 bit computers using a TV as monitor.‎

Technically if you use the monochrome line from the DB-9 output of a Commodore 128 you can connect it to a TV to use the 80 column mode.

Once in this mode, type "FAST(RETURN)" then you'll get a version of basic that runs nearly twice as fast as the vic's version.

All that's required is a cable that takes the DB-9's monochrome signal and sends it to a composite RCA cable or, for better results, the luma signal input of an S-Video compatible TV.

No special electronics or conversion is required.

[Mike]

Once in this mode, type "FAST(RETURN)" then you'll get a version of basic that runs nearly twice as fast as the vic's version.

I'm sorry to tell you that, but BASIC V7 on the C128 has lots of overhead because of the extended command and function set and the necessary banking. This results in nearly halved performance, compared to V2.

With FAST in 80-column mode, you get a BASIC, which is just a tad bit faster than the VIC-20's, but not twice as fast - notwithstanding the (theoretical but impractical) option to put the 80-column screen on a TV using the composite signal.

[yellow_lantern]

You forgot to mention it was the friendly computer of the 80s.

[eslapion]

I'm sorry to tell you that, but BASIC V7 on the C128 has lots of overhead because of the extended command and function set and the necessary banking. This results in nearly halved performance, compared to V2.

With FAST in 80-column mode, you get a BASIC, which is just a tad bit faster than the VIC-20's, but not twice as fast - notwithstanding the (theoretical but impractical) option to put the 80-column screen on a TV using the composite signal.

Interesting.

Would you be able to add the NTSC C128 to your bar graphs?

Also, I am quite surprised to see how much the 40 and 80 col. modes of the display manager slows down the VIC's Basic.

[pallas]

For me the VIC-20 is number one because it's the first computer I used (I still remember that day), the first computer I had and probably the most liked present I received as a child!

[joshuadenmark]

For me the VIC-20 is number one because it's the first computer I used (I still remember that day), the first computer I had and probably the most liked present I received as a child!

For me too, can remember that i typed in a game from the manual and left the vic turned on because I didn't have any storage what so ever, but I loved it and still do.

[Boray]

Would you be able to add the NTSC C128 to your bar graphs?

Sure. Here is an updated version with all of them:

[eslapion]

The Austro compiler does not provide as much of a speed boost as I would have expected.

[Boray]

If you run the qbench program, you can compare every subtest too.

Here is Austro compiled Vic-20 VS Unexpanded Vic-20 (VICE)

Code: Select all

comparison base 15
austro vic20 =1.00 (mo
re=you are faster)

e. loop:  .863636364
math:     .318181818
arrays:   .488372093
strings:  .56
text out: .957446808
poke&peek .352941176
all:      .591397849

a.austro vic20 is 1.69
090909 times faster th
an you..

it's basic commands pe
r second value is 882
and yours is 522.

press any key

Austro compiler is slow on an empty for-loop which must mean that they deliberately put in a delay there (because the original basic program uses this as a delay too of course).

[Spectrum]

• Vic-20 was Commodore’s first home computer.‎
• Vic-20 was the first computer with color graphics for under $300.‎
• Vic-20 was the first computer with color graphics for under $100.‎
• Vic-20 was Commodore’s first computer with color graphics.‎
• Vic-20 was the first computer to sell over one million units.‎
• Vic-20 has the fastest basic among Commodore 8 bit computers using a TV as monitor.‎
• Vic-20 was the first home computer with a dynamically sizable screen (?)‎
• Vic-20 was my first computer.‎

If I got any of this wrong, then feel free to correct me.

In my opinion, you are definitely RIGHT!

[orion70]

I was thinking there's another reason why the VIC is #1 - its forum is definitely different, and better, than any other devoted to 8-bit computers.
Here, you can find news, help and discussion but people never exceed or feel superior.
I've been posting in Lemon or other forums occasionally, including Italian forums, and I must say friendliness is not the driving force there .
I think that in some mysterious way the VIC itself emanates positive feelings, and that's why it's the best old machine for our sad times!

[pallas]

quite true orion70: the vic-20 is more selective, in a good way
or we are just older, thus wiser O_o

[highinfidelity]

Agree: it's a cute, humble, little machine with a great hidden power inside. In some sort of way it has been able to teach us modesty and understatement.

The reputable C64 was in many cases (not all, of course) the choice of daddy's boys, of Mr. Superiors and of know-it-alls. I also have the impression that these different characters are sometimes still evident today.