Computers

About Vintage Computers

Vintage computers aren't your typical collector's item, but some of the earliest PCs from the 1970s and 80s are already starting to command big bucks in working condition. This is particularly true of models that preceded the volume production IBM PCs and Apple Macintoshes, such as MITs Altair 8800 (1975) and 680 (1976) kit computers, Apple IIs with low serial numbers (1977), early Commodore 64’s (1982) and Apple Lisas (1983).

Aside from the above, there are plenty of vintage computer names to collect, including Compaq, Kaypro, Amiga, Sinclair, Franklin, Xerox, Digital Equipment, Atari, Heathkit, Texas Instruments, and Silicon Graphics. With vintage computers, displayability is key, so make sure you get all the accessories, software, manuals and power cords you'll need to run your vintage machine...

Also, keep your eye out for vintage computer-related paper items and ephemera. Some early magazines, like the famous January 1975 Popular Electronics issue featuring the Altair 8800, can fetch over $100.

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Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Computer History Museum

Computer History Museum

Collect computers? This California-based museum's website has several excellent online exhibits, including an exten… [read review or visit site]

Old-Computers.com

Old-Computers.com

This gallery of over 900 vintage computers is notable for its comprehensiveness. Each model includes a text descrip… [read review or visit site]

Classic Computer Magazine Archive

Classic Computer Magazine Archive

If you collect early computers, you'll enjoy this site. Assembled by Kevin Savetz and a group of volunteers, with p… [read review or visit site]

IBM Archives

IBM Archives

An extensive collection of computer-related artifacts and reference information, plus a detailed history of IBM. St… [read review or visit site]

Oldcomputers.net

Oldcomputers.net

Steven Stengel's showcase of old computers from the 1970's and 80's. Also includes a reference section on old compu… [read review or visit site]

Classic-Computers.org.nz

Classic-Computers.org.nz

Terry Stewart's deep dive on vintage computers features an exhaustive tribute to the Dick Smith System 80, a TRS-80… [read review or visit site]


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Recent News: Computers

Source: Google News

Local Man Selling Original Apple Computer for $50000
News10.net, November 20th

ROSEVILLE, CA- It's been called the Holy Grail of vintage computers and a local man has one for sale. The original Apple-1 computer, handmade by Apple...Read more

Apple-1 motherboard on eBay, including hand-typed note from Steve Jobs
Geek.com, November 18th

The starting bid for the Apple-1 is $50000, which is about in line with what a vintage computer of such historical moment is worth...Read more

Another Apple 1 For Sale on eBay — for $50000
Cult of Mac (blog), November 13th

The last one sold for about $18000, several thousand over its estimated value, to an anonymous computer collector who also tipped us off about the sale of...Read more

Computer connection inspires composer
Irish Times, November 12th

of the computing world; I knew it was important”, but he notes with amusement that he wasn't “a connoisseur of vintage computers or anything like that”...Read more

Internet Atrocity! GeoCities' Demise Erases Web History
TIME, November 9th

(See pictures of vintage computers.) But some still saw beauty in the chaos. "GeoCities was the largest self-created folk-art collection in the history of...Read more

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Ars Technica, November 8th

2009 6:00 PM CT Selling stuff online has become the new "side business" of many Internet users, whether it's used clothes, vintage computer items,...Read more

Computer Collector Buys Apple 1 for $18000
Softpedia, October 27th

“Obviously, original Apple I is a dream for any serious computer collector and for me, this dream came through. I have 150+ vintage computers in my...Read more

Classic PCs vs. New PCs: Their True Cost
Technologizer (blog), October 25th

Special thanks to Steven Stengel for providing many of the vintage computer photos in this article. Every specification listed in the charts below is what a...Read more

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