I have been a computer geek for many years. But only recently, have I started the hobby of collecting the old computers. Often, I acquire my collection by spotting steals on eBay. Sometimes, I come across these finds at local thrift or antique stores. Yet, sometimes, I am lucky enough to come across them in need of repair or recycling in the dusty basements of parishes or people give me old broken computers.
Here is my always growing collection. Please note some of the computer specs are taken either from wikipedia or the wonderful website at computinghistory.org.uk
- Acquired Jun, 2, 2021 – $150.00
- Condition: Working, Excellent
| Developer | Kyocera, Tandy, Microsoft |
| Type | Portable computer |
| Release date | 1983; |
| Introductory price | 24K versions US$1,399 (equivalent to $3,810 in 2021) |
| Units sold | 6 million |
| Operating system | Custom dedicated runtime in firmware |
| CPU | 2.4 MHz Intel 80C85 |
Personal Commentary: This is my prized gem of my collection. This was the first real “laptop” made. Into the late 1990s there were still newspaper reporters that relied on this machine. In 1983 this computer could hook up to a telephone line and send in articles across the nation to a bigger computer over TELNET.
- Acquired April 9, 2022 – $36.00
- Working: Near Mint
| Radio Shack Pocket Computer |
| Model: PC-1 Released July 1980 Price: US $230 (eq to $800 current) CPU: SC43177, SC43178 RAM: 1.5K Ports: Expansion connector Display: 24 X 1 text LCD Storage: * Cassette storage Options: * Printer, Tape I/O OS: BASIC in ROM |
Personal Commentary: I got a steal on this one. It was advertised as not working. After taking it to a local battery and electronic store, we found the specific batteries it needed and she booted right up. Don’t be mistaken, this is not a calculator, it is a fully functioning BASIC computer.
*Acquired May 26, 2022 – $150
Condition: Great cosmetic condition – Boots Rom, Floppy drive non-functional
| Model: Tandy 1100 FD |
| Released: 1989 MSRP: $999 ($2300 w/ inflation) CPU: 8/8bit NEC V20 @ 10 Mhz. RAM: 640K ROM: 32K for Bios Ports: One serial ports, One parallel port Display: LCD super-twisted nematic, green Chip Set MN5504 LCD CGA emulation Storage: 720K 3.5″ Floppy Weight: 6.6 Lbs Battery: Lead-acid rechargeable, 3.5 Hrs. |
*Acquired: My childhood computer
Condition: Decent shape, some case damage.
| Model: DTK Peer 1630 – 386 |
| Released: 1992 MSRP: Unknown CPU: Intel 386 RAM: 8mb HDD: Original 200mb – I later switched out hard drive for a CF Card adapter. Ports: One serial ports, One parallel port, VGA, SoundBlaster 16 with game port. Drives: 3.5 inch 1.44mb Floppy, 5.25 inch 720kb floppy, (Broken CDrom pulled) Operating System: Last installed for use was Windows 95. I now have a CF Cards that run MS-DOS 6.22, OS/2 Warp and FreeDOS Personal Commentary: Honestly, there is probably more sentimental value than actual value on this computer. This was my childhood computer, the first computer to hear those beautiful dial-up tones, the computer that I learned to program in BASIC and the computer that after my family was done with it became my project bench. |
*Acquired December 2022 – $50
Condition: Runs great, one hinge is a little loose. Floppy works great!
| Zenith SuperSport 286 |
| Manufacturer: Zenith Released: 1988 Operating System: MS DOS 3.3 MSRP: $5000 ($12,500 adjusted for 2022 inflation) CPU Speed – 16 mhz RAM – 1mb Hard Drive– 40mb Included Software: When I got this computer it had tons of software. Tax software, wordprocessor, Norton Commander. The previous owner seemed to work in a financial industry. (Had to clean a few files out). |
Condition: Runs well. Poor physical condition with cracked body. Floppy drive non-functional
| Toshiba Satellite T1910CD |
| Manufacturer: Toshiba Released: 1993 Operating System: MS DOS 6.2 MSRP: $3900 ($8000 adjusted for 2022 inflation) CPU Speed – Intel 486 @ 33mhz RAM – 4mb w/ 8mb expansion card Hard Drive– 200mb Included Software: DOS, Microsoft Word 5, QuickBasic 4.5 Personal Commentary: This was, and still is one of the most popular early laptops. There was an add on mouse that hooked to a port on the right side. |
Acquired: December 2022 $30
Condition: Great physical condtion, some staining. Boots and works well, had to do some repair to battery compartment.
| NTS DreamWriter T400 |
| Manufacturer: NTS Computer Systems LTD Released: 1997 MSRP: $250 (estimate) CPU Speed – Not Available Memory – Advertises at 100pgs Included Software: Word Processor, Calculator, Address Book Personal Commentary: This has both a parallel printer port and a RS232 Serial port. I am able to successfully transmit documents with this and it still works nicely as a distraction free writing tool. From my understanding, this later became a RadioShack product. |
Condition: Does not power, PSU blown, cosmetically very good.
| Apple Newton eMate 300 |
| Manufacturer: Apple Released: 1997 MSRP: $800 ($1350 with inflation) CPU Speed – 25mhz ARM Memory – 4mb DRAM Included Software: Word Processor, Calculator, Address Book Notes: Sadly when I first used this it was working and then the power went bad in it. Likely needs some soldering done. (If someone wants this one I’m happy to part with it for cheap) |
- Acquired June 8, 2021 – $20.00
- Condition: Good, Working w/ battery problems
| Model: Compaq C140 PC Companion |
| Manufacturer: Compaq Released: 1997 Operating System: Windows CE 1.0 MSRP: $450 ($777 w/ inflation) CPU Speed – 40 mhz RAM – 4mb ROM – 4mb Screen Resolution – 480×240 Keyboard – 61 Key Qwerty Powered – 2 AA Batteries Included Software: Windows CE, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Pocket Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Inbox, Remote Network, Calculator, Terminal, World Time |
Personal Commentary: For 1997 this is a very impressive piece of tech. By today’s standards, it is comical. The keyboard is difficult to type on and the screen is near impossible to read, From a historical point of view, it is neat to see how far we’ve come in 25 years.
Acquired: 2021 – Recycled for friend.
Condition – Working well except battery.
| Dell Latitude C800 Model PP01X |
| Manufactured – Dell Q4 2000 CPU – Pentium III 850mhz MSRP – Unknown LCD Size – 15 inch RAM – 256mb HDD – 20gb IDE Media: CD-RW & 3.5inch Floppy Operating System: Windows 2000 Pro |
Personal Commentary: The main purpose of this computer was for me to have a working floppy drive computer. This computer was a tank for it’s day, both in the good sense and bad.
- Acquired: 2009, New
| Acer Aspire One Netbook ZG5 |
| Manufactured: Acer Incorporated – 2008 MSRP: $380 ($510 with 2022 inflation) Operating System: Shipped with Windows XP, Currently running Xubuntu 12.04 CPU: Intel Atom 1.66ghz Memory: 512mb DDR2 HDD: 160gb |
Personal Commentary: In 2009 this was quite the little computer. I used it throughout college seminary and it got me through an entire morning of classes. Outside of basic notetaking, web browsing and writing papers, it struggled, but these were advertised as netbooks.
- Acquired: 2021, Free, Unit was going to the trash.
- Condition: Powers up, drive belt is broken
| Manufacturer: IBM 1961 (unsure of the exact year of this unit) MSRP: Only can find 1981 model price: $1400 ($4600 with inflation) Features: Interchangeable element, “golfball” typewriter Learn more from IBMs Website |
Personal Commentary: This was going to the dump, and I couldn’t let that happen with this piece of history. Sadly, she needs some work. This typewriter used a ball to press the letter. This allowed for different fonts on a typewriter, something that was evolutionary for the time.
*Acquired: 2022 $25 – Great condition
| Manufacturer: Apple 2006 Hard Drive size: 30gb |
Personal Commentary: This unit needs little introduction. This particular unit was one of the first to play video well. Today, I have the firmware replaced with the RockBox open source firmware as the iTunes continued support for these old units is poor.