What T1 lacks in technical marvel and production values, it makes up for with some great acting (Kyle's "It doesn't feel pity or remorse", the hard boiled police chief, most of Hamilton's scenes, Arnold's terse but effective dialog, even strong bit player scenes like the psychiatrist), unique story, and incredible scenes like Tech Noir, the punk confrontation, the police station shootup, and so on.
I'd accept any argument that puts T2 above it, but T1 deserves its praise, imo.