17 Nov
2000
17 Nov
'00
5:06 p.m.
At 06:11 PM 11/15/2000 -0600, you wrote:
I have the opportunity to obtain an Osbourne (no, I
don't know what model,
etc).
What is a ballpark figure for the value of this? I don't have one and am
unaware of details on them. Also, any caveats to watch for?
Value?? Condition? Operable? Original diskettes & manual? StartPac
tutorial? Accessories? Under $100
2 things to watch out for: video and keyboard cable.
On all Osbornes (except maybe the Executive) a little plug is needed for
the internal monitor to work properly. This black plug, about the size &
shape of a finger joint, fits on an edge card connector of about 10 pairs
of contacts. To use external video, need adapter with the black plug on one
end and RCA jack on other.
The keyboard cable issue has only with the first "edition" of Osborne-1.
This "edition" has ribbon cable for the keyboard, "Osborne-1" in
large
black letters on the right and left sides of the case, and it has b/w
internal monitor. Second "edition" has green monitor, and Executive has
amber; both have coil cable for keyboard. The ribbon keyboard cable
eventually cracks from fatigue rendering the keyboard (intermittently)
inoperable.
Edwin
thanks!
Tarsi