My most memorable computer was...

The Tandy Model 16, a desktop Unix workstation with a 68000 processor that was also backward-compatible with the Z80-based Model II (much like Playstation backward compatibility, it incorporated all the old hardware into the new design). In 1981 not many companies were producing Unix workstations that fit on a desktop; the only competitors that I know of in this space came from a small startup called Sun Microsystems. :)

Anyway, I learend to program C on that old thing. And I owe much of my orientation towards Unixoid operating systems on it.

The most memorable computer to me came from NeXT. I have a working colorstation sitting on my desk right now. I keep it around as a reminder that the best technology doesn't always win. Although here I am using MacOS X next to it, so what do I know? :) Its amazing how a computer so old can feel modern. The UI is modern but the lack of apps really shows. For a time I would run an X server and export a browser and other apps from my Linux box to help make up for this. Good times.

TI-85 pocket calculator; 6Mhz of Z-80 goodness with 28k of ram, hacked with an assembly language "repl" :-)

zshell, how I love thee!

A Sinclair QL in 1984, for which I bought a Lisp interpreter. The OS was multi-tasking, and the hardware was based on the superb Motorola 68000 processor range.

For the biggest impact, a Video Genie, which was a clone of the Tandy TRS-80. I learnt how to program (Basic and Z80 assembly) on that.

A BBC B+ 128KB. I learnt BASIC and Pascal on it.

It had OS, BASIC, Assembler and DFS in 48KB of ROM and booted in one second. When PCs came along, they seemed like step back.

BBC B, I learn't BASIC on it + "Rocket Raid" was brilliant

Commodore 64