Best looking 8bit computer?

Vic 2000 · Post by **Vic 2000** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 1:15 am

I have always liked the look of ZX-Spectrum, TI99-4A looked good too, so was Oric Atmos.

But the best looking of them all was this one, Atari 800 XL.

Vic20-Ian · Post by **Vic20-Ian** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 5:12 am

Vic-20 - much more friendly curves

Ti99/4a was nice with the metallic finish

I liked the Original Atari 800

but the Memotech MTX512 was the sleekest beast I think

orion70 · Post by **orion70** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 5:54 am

No doubt:

Porche, you know...

Vic 2000 · Post by **Vic 2000** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 6:06 am

Sinclair ZX-Spectrum was black, slick and had that rainbow stripe on the side. A beautiful computer for it's time.

Elan was also one of the best looking computers.

malcontent · Post by **malcontent** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:20 am

Gotta go with the Kenbak-1

sexy

Vic 2000 · Post by **Vic 2000** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 7:28 am

How about Jupiter Ace? A simple but clean and slick design.

orion70 · Post by **orion70** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 8:27 am

Every machine was different. It was down to the personal taste to judge one better than the other. But in absolute terms, I think that design-wise the 8032 wins hands down: smooth lines, well-balanced colors, perfect proportions were professionally thought and designed, and represent perfectly the concept of modernity in the Eighties. I'd buy one if I had the money, or buy non-working unit for less, to decorate my living room.

Vic 2000 · Post by **Vic 2000** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 8:47 am

Australian Microbee 32 was quite good looking too for it's time.

Post by **joshuadenmark** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 9:31 am

I like the looks of Commodore plus 4

Post by **joshuadenmark** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 9:32 am

malcontent wrote:Gotta go with the Kenbak-1

sexy

Yes very sexy and Space1999ish

like that too.

Vic 2000 · Post by **Vic 2000** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 9:46 am

Amstrad CPC 464 was a quite good looking computer too. I like the colored green keys on the keyboard.

Sinclair ZX-Spectrum 128 was one of the best looking computers too. That black beauty with the Sinclair rainbow, elegant.

Atari 130 XE was also a well designed computer which gave the impression of a serious computer.

Post by **joshuadenmark** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 11:38 am

I like the Amstrad cpc464 too, the green keys are really catching.

Most modern PC are boring looking, has no soul what so ever.

Vic 2000 · Post by **Vic 2000** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 11:45 am

joshuadenmark wrote:I like the Amstrad cpc464 too, the green keys are really catching.

Most modern PC are boring looking, has no soul what so ever.

Just look at todays cars and you will se the same thing. Personality and soul is no match for todays mass industry where only a fast production rate and money matters. Then go back 100 years in time and you will notice that just about everything was personal and had a great deal of soul in there, from furniture to kitchenware. Hand made stuff using natural materials is luxury today that few people can afford.

akator · Post by **akator** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 12:59 pm

I second the Atari 800XL. It is sleek and well proportioned with those nice brushed aluminum accents. The cart slot on the top is a good thing. Although I wish the case was actually gray and black instead of light beige and dark brown.

I prefer the appearance of the VIC-20 to the C64, specifically the lighter case color of the VIC and matching peripherals. The VIC with PET-style keyboard typeface is especially nice.

It's probably nostalgia, but I love the TRS-80 Model III and 4 machines. They look like something that could fit into a Death Star control room scene from Star Wars.

My favorite Apple product designs are the Apple //c, Mac Plus, Mac IIsi with portrait display, and iMac G4 20".

The Atari 65XE, 130XE, and ST computers are very nice representatives of late 80s computer design. Unfortunately, those lighter colored plastics suffer from extreme yellowing and look pretty horrible unless they are RetroBrited every few years. The same problem affects most computer and console plastics from the 80s and 90s. Fortunately my VIC hasn't yellowed much, at least not to the extent of the Nintendo, Apple, Atari, and Amiga items I've owned. Even one of my Sega Dreamcast systems is looking pretty yellowed, and that's only 15 years old. I keep my stuff out of sunlight, but many of the systems I've acquired used were not as pampered by previous owners.

[edit] Forgot to mention the original Commodore PET, the one with the nonstandard blue "calculator keys." I think that is still a beautiful computer, even if the keyboard is silly

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Vic 2000 · Post by **Vic 2000** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 1:18 pm

Thank you for sharing your view.

Atari 800 Xl was not only good looking, it was a robust well made computer too. 130 XE felt more plastic and weak then Atari 800 XL.

Denial