When we discussed our first computer experiences, I think I lost some folks with the names of the computers that were popular in the UK when I started out, so here is a visual reference!
You will note my first computer, the Commodore Vic 20, is now absent from the marketing in 1984 (replaced here by the C16 Starter Pack most likely).
Also note a super-popular computer in the US, the Apple II, is not present either - it just wasn't a thing in the UK because it was so expensive.
Speaking of expensive, check out the Commdore Disk Drive - it's more expensive than the Computer.
While the BBC B dominated schools (and in a roundabout way gave birth to the Raspberry Pi), and comes with a tape drive, at twice the price of the C64 it wasn't going to fill many Christmas boxes. Instead folks went for the Electron, which was software compatible but slower, so not all games would be a fun experience.
The Spectrum is still holding strong but after adding up the price once you add peripherals such as tape drive, joystick interface, the Amstrad and C64 look much better - the former even had built-in tape drive AND a monitor, and for ￡100 you could get a colour monitor instead. Fortunately for the Speccy, Amstrad bought Sinclair and copied the CPC formula, capitalizing on the Speccy massive installed user base.
Down at the bottom is a big surprise for me - I had no idea you could get the MSX in the UK. I only knew about it from C+VG magazine.
