Marlins are the best in my opinion. Super accurate, super reliable, takes any ammo, super easy to clean, light trigger pull, and they have all the amenities you would want (sling swivel studs for one). Oh - and super cheap too!
The 10/22 is more expensive. Some people have had good luck with them but in my experience they're less accurate than a shotgun, jam-o-matic, and super picky with ammo. On the newer ones, the trigger pull is set to something like 7lbs! YMMV. You CAN dress this one up like a babie doll and spend twice its worth on accessories though, if that's your thing.
Because of the affore mentioned barbie doll thing, you DO hear alot about the 10/22. Contrary to what the Ruger lovers will tell you, it's NOT the most popular .22.
Ruger 10/22 (all models) - 7 million sold.
Marlin Model 60 - 12 million sold.
Marlin 795 - 5 million sold.
The 10/22 number is all models together. The Model 60 and 795 are virtually identical except for the magazine but we count them seperately here since the Model 60 doesn't need any help. Yes, the model 60 was released 5 years before the 10/22. That doesn't make up a difference of 5 million units. Hell, the 795 is set to outpace the 10/22 in about 5 years or so.