Two say: Were No.1

In the run-up to the peak sales season, both of the big two home computer makers say they are No. 1 in the UK.

First Commodore’s UK marketing manager, John Baxter said: “We know we are way ahead of Sinclair, as we predicted.”

In October, Commodore had shipped 20,000 Commodore 64s and 60,000 VIC-20s making a total of 130,000 with other computers.

And in the July-December period the company would exceed its forecast sales of 425,000 VICs and 64.

However, Bill Nichols, for Sin?clair Research, said its UK sales for September for the Spectrum and ZX81 were 150,000 and equal that for October.

And for July-December Sinclair would sell more than half a million.

Mr-Nichols said: “We would certainly agree that. Sinclair and Commodore are a long way ahead of the rest of the field and are the big two in the UK.

“While we have no wish to be drawn into the numbers game, we are very confident we remain No. 1.”

Commodore Business Machines, 675 Ajax Avenue, Slough, Berks SL1 4BG
Sinclair Research, Stanhope Road, Camberley, Surrey GU I 5 3PS