The price + graphics and sound (out-of-the-box) was what really made the difference for me and self-learning.

But I learned a lot more about disk data organization (hardware-level) via the Apple IIs that were at school.

An interesting side-note: a major factor in my family's decision to get me any computer at all was that I was staying after school almost everyday until usually 7pm.

Mom thought surely I must be lying about it and doing something else, probably nothing good.

She made a appointment to meet with the Computer teacher to ask him directly: he confirmed that I was there regularly, had keys for the computer room, and that maybe she should consider getting me my own machine for home.