In reply to Jeff Nyman.
I agree with Jeff. It could be argued that Tramiel made a good decision (even if for the wrong reasons) *not* to develop a 16-bit processor given Intel’s pending dominance and given the failure of other 16-bit designs from the 1970s, such as the TMS9900 and the Z8000.
Western Design Center began developing the 65C816 in 1982 and delivered it in 1984. The only US home computer of note that used it was the Apple IIgs, which was discontinued a year before the (8-bit) Apple IIe. It was also used in the Nintendo SNES. 8-bit CPUs were simply good enough for a very long time, given bank-switching techniques.
Btw the IIgs also used a Yannes-designed audio IC. But the 6581 SID is absolutely legendary.
