3 Oct
2001
3 Oct
'01
12:42 a.m.
Don't forget that there are folks out there who buy things knowing that other
will pay lots for them under the right circumstances.
The Altair was never a computer that one interested in computing would have
bought for what the kit cost. It was an electronics toy, from the design on,
and the fact it was ultimately the "first" microcomputer for the masses is
purely accidental. It was targeted at those same guys that built the
noisemakers and light blinkers. That's why it was advertised where it was.
Attempting to evaluate its value to collectors based on its merit as a computer
is a serious mistake. It's like a rare coin. It still looks to me like a
penny.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Ford" <mikeford(a)socal.rr.com>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2001 10:59 PM
Subject: Re: Altair 8800a on EBAY
I don't think we'll see that. I think they'll always have some
significant monetary value, and I do see culturally significant machines
going up in value over time (like Apple 1's).
I agree, but my guess is that the signigicant monetary value will be about
$100 in most cases, ie incomplete non working units with no docs, no
software, and no history. Ask your self this question, at what price would
I buy such a unit? $1000, $500, $250, $100, or a lot less than a $100?
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1280822959 I
have been considering buying one of these machines as an investment.
While I am a computer programmer
My guess is that prices will stay flat for a few more years, then rapidly
drop to about 5% of current levels.