How much are old home computers worth? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 03:48:40 pm
content: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23243069"A computer from 1976 that originally retailed for $666.66 is to be auctioned and could fetch up to $500,000.The Apple-I computer was one of the first 25 computer elements designed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in their famous California garage.About 200 were made but most have disappeared or been discarded, with only around 30 to 50 still believed to be in existence."

author: N2IXK
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 04:03:49 pm
content: Sure, a few historically significant models are worth a small fortune. Like the Apple I or a MITS Altair. Original IBM PCs (Model 5150) have some collector appeal, but aren't all that valuable. I sold a working Compaq Portable (significant as the first IBM clone machine) for $200 a couple years ago, FWIW.The more common crusty 286/386 machines hiding in closets and basements are worth next to nothing.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 04:26:03 pm
content: Quote from: jucole on July 09, 2013, 03:48:40 pmThe quantity alone tells the story here. Anything collectible is always worth much much more when they are rare. Considering this computer was one of the very first home PCs ever made, the expected price doesn't really shock me.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 05:07:18 pm
content: Usually not much. A few years ago I gave my entire 'collection' of MSX2 gear away for free. I was just happy someone else was interested in my old computers and maybe could use the parts to keep his machines running. I made more money selling the original service manuals on Ebay!And stuff being rare doesn't mean its worth something. On a TV program about pawn shops one of the owners said 'something old is usually rare because nobody wanted it back then and unfortunately nobody wants it today'.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 05:44:17 pm
content: I had the opportunity to acquire an old BBC micro for free, so I checked on e-bay to see if they are now considered historic and found that they were going for less than £50, mostly people were asking around £30 so not exactly a valuable antique! I regret giving away my own BBC micro though as that had a lot of sentimental value.I have various ancient computers in a museum in the loft, including an Compaq SLT386 which I still think is a great design (lunch box sized with a separate little keyboard). It cost around £3k when my small company bought it.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 07:10:12 pm
content: Quote from: N2IXK on July 09, 2013, 04:03:49 pmI at one point purchased one of those for $20.00 myself. It depends on the person I guess.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 07:24:18 pm
content: Over here in the UK ,you can see them left outside for the refuse people to collect, everyone want lcd screens and windows 8 . I have 26inch LCD,& had windows 7 put in the computer, couldn't get on with windows 7, it's a large screen but it doubles up as a TV ,as I never get to see any otherwise.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 08:21:30 pm
content: I've just sold 35 ancient PCs for £50 and was happy to get that for them

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 08:33:37 pm
content: One possible exclusion, legacy industrial pc. Sometimes company broke pc, and when it's an important piece, they're going to pay a lot of oney for,it

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 09:25:10 pm
content: Quote from: ddavidebor on July 09, 2013, 08:33:37 pm...eventhe space industry.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2013, 11:44:53 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 09, 2013, 05:07:18 pmAhh, but you are taking my remark out of context. I said 'Anythingcollectible(i.e. that peoplewant) is worth more when it is rare' not just anything rare is worth more.

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2013, 12:13:39 am
content: Mint in a box anything, with all the options and extras included, that could be worth something.

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2013, 09:30:01 am
content: 25€/kg recyling fee.

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2013, 10:23:00 am
content: Apple owners always think their stuff is worth more than everyone else's

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2013, 10:29:07 am
content: I sold a single copy of an old and ratty 1980's Your Computer magazine that had the original Microbee article in it for over $100!

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2013, 10:57:55 am
content: I think the only stuff worth anything would be new-in box, never used, as that would be very rare.ISTR reading a while ago about a ZX80 unbuilt kit that went for I think a few hundred

author: Spunky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 12:09:37 am
content: Still got a commodore pet somewhere, might be worth some pennies if it can be made to work. As for 1980s computer magazines I think I've got a whole boxfull, are they really worth anything?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 12:29:40 am
content: Even a home computer 'new in box' will probably be broken. Chips don't have eternal life; plastic packages do let water in.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2013, 02:10:27 am
content: Some are rather rare and worth a few dollars, especially anything that's considered to be a "first".The first Apple of course commands the big bucks and is most likely the highest valued piece of vintage technology.the Apple Lisa (first Graphical User Interface),almost any CP/M machine,the Altair 8000 (early build-it-yourself kit),the GRiD Compass (first real laptop),most early portable computers,etc.As for me, nothing past the 1980s is worth anything as far as a collectible.

author: Spunky
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2013, 02:07:52 am
content: In the 90s I was taking lots of CPM machines out of local authorities, breaking them down for parts and weighing in the metals. Old mini computers had really heavy chassis and made great mobile trolleys for welders and saws (we still have one with a chop saw mounted on it for cutting pipe)