18 Nov
2002
18 Nov
'02
12:02 a.m.
On Sun, 17 Nov 2002, John Galt wrote:
On the otherhand, I'm always amused when a vintage
computer "collector"
says they think that chip collecting is "odd". If there was ever a case
of the pot calling the kettle black!
When has anyone ever said that?
You said "Either chip collectors need to get a
grip on their
misperceptions of value, or vintage machine collectors need to greatly
re-assess the values of their operational hardware". I would suggest the
later. I think that given their historical significance, rare vintage
computers are drastically under valued. While values may go up and down
over the short term, I fully expect that over the long term, prices on
rare vintage computers are going to nowhere but up.
I suggest the former. Prices for old computers are fairly well
established by now. These prices are independent of, for instance, the
CPU that may power the computer. For example, if a SOL-20 goes on the
market, chances are it could fetch up to $1,200, regardless of whether it
had an Intel C8080 on the original Processor Technology CPU board or if
it had a Cromemco ZPU with a Zilog Z80 (even a first run Z80). The CPU
has no bearing on the valuation of the machine.
Two things are for certain: one, as you allude so brilliantly, is that in
the long term the prices of (certain) vintage computers will rise; two, in
the short term the prices of old chips will fall.
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
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