18 Jun
1999
18 Jun
'99
9:11 a.m.
Here's the first draft at a list of the Top 150 Collectible Microcomputers
(from the U.S.A.). I would have gone for Top 100 but there are just too
many great machines, and 200 is too many.
It's currently at 133 items. Some related models are combined as one, even
though they are rather different... other similar models are kept separate.
This is basically just because I personally feel they rate their own
separate listing, feel free to disagree.
Please add items! Items on the list should meet the following categories:
1) Collectible Microcomputer (yes, I know the H-11 is on here as an
"honorary" micro)
3) Sold in the USA
4) Available from a manufacturer (not just plans in a magazine)
The list:
Altos 586
Altos ACS 8000
APF MP1000
Apple I
Apple II
Apple II+
Apple II+ Bell & Howell "Black Apple"
Apple IIc / IIc Plus
Apple IIe / IIe Platinum
Apple IIgs / IIgs Woz Limited Edition
Apple III
Apple III+
Apple Lisa / Macintosh XL
Apple Macintosh 128
Apple Macintosh 512K Through SE
Apple Macintosh Portable
AT&T Unix PC / 3B2 / 7300
Atari 400
Atari 800
Atari XL Series
Atari 520ST / 1040ST
Atari Portfolio
Byte Computers Byt-8
California Computer Systems (CCS) S-100
Coleco ADAM
Commodore/MOS Technologies KIM-1
Commodore PET 2001-8
Commodore PET 4032 / 8032
Commodore SuperPET SP9000
Commodore VIC-20
Commodore 64 / 65
Commodore 128 / 128D
Commodore C16 / Plus 4
Commodore SX64
Commodore Amiga 1000
Commodore Amiga 500
Compaq Portable PC / Plus / II / III
CompuColor II
CompuPro S-100 / 8-16
Convergent Technologies WorkSlate
Corvus Concept
Cromemco C-10
Cromemco System One
Cromemco System Three
Cromemco Z Series
Data General One
DEC Rainbow 100
Digital Group Systems
Dynalogic Hyperion
Epson HX-20
Epson PX-8 Geneva
Epson QX-10 & QX-16
Exidy Sorcerer
Gimix
Franklin ACE 1000 / 1200
Hewlett-Packard HP85
Hewlett-Packard HP150
Heathkit H-8
Heathkit H-11
Heath-Zenith H88/H89
IBM 5100 Personal Computer
IBM 5140 PC Convertible
IBM 5150 Personal Computer
IBM 5160 PC-XT
IBM 5170 AT
IBM 5155 Portable PC
IBM PCjr
IBM PS/2 Model 80
IMSAI 8080
IMSAI PCS-80
IMSAI VDP-80
Ithaca Audio InterSystems DPS-1
Intertec SuperBrain
Kaypro II
Kaypro 4 / 10
Lobo PMC-80
Mattel Aquarius
Mindset PC
MITS Altair 680
MITS Altair 8800
MITS Altair 8800a
MITS Altair 8800b
MITS Altair 8800b Turnkey
Morrow Decision 1
Morrow Micro Decision
Morrow Pivot
NEC PC-6001A
NEC PC-8001A
NEC PC-8201A / PC-5000
North Star Advantage
North Star Horizon
Ohio Scientific Challenger C1P
Ohio Scientific Challenger C4P
Ohio Scientific Challenger C3D
Osborne 1
Osborne Executive
Osborne Vixen
Otrona Attache
Polymorphic Systems POLY-88
Processor Technology SOL
Quasar/Panasonic HK2600TE Hand Held Computer
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 1
Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computers 1-3
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 2
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 3/4
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 4P
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 12 / 16 / 6000
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 / 102 / 200
Radio Shack TRS-80 Micro Color Computer MC-10
Radio Shack TRS-80 Pocket Computers
RCA COSMAC 1802 / ELF / Super ELF
Rockwell AIM-65
Sanyo MBC-1000
Seattle Computer Products 8086
Sharp Pocket Computers PC-1500 / PC-1500A
Sinclair ZX80
Sinclair ZX81 / Timex-Sinclair ZX1000
Smoke Signal Broadcasting Chieftain
Spectravideo SV-318 / SV-328
Sphere
SWTPC (SouthWest Technical Products) 6800
SWTPC (SouthWest Technical Products) 6809
Synertek SYM-1
Texas Instruments TI 99/4A
Timex-Sinclair 1500
Timex-Sinclair 2068
Tomy Tutor
Vector Graphic Vector-1
Vector Graphic Vector-4
VideoBrain
Vtech Laser 128
Xerox 820
Zenith Z-110 / Z-120
18 Jun
18 Jun
9:28 a.m.
Don't forget the Commodore Amiga 600, 2000HD, 2500, 3000, 3000T, and 4000.
There was also a limited-run 3000U (number?) that ran UN*X. Not sure what
version, though.
Kevin
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It's you isn't it? THE BASTARD OPERATOR FROM HELL!"
"In the flesh, on the phone and in your account..."
-- BOFH #3
9:44 a.m.
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11:17 a.m.
Don't
forget the Commodore Amiga 600, 2000HD, 2500, 3000, 3000T, and 4000.
There was also a limited-run 3000U (number?) that ran UN*X. Not sure what
version, though.
Amiga 3000UX
Don't think every model of the Amiga belongs on the list, and you missed the
A1200 and A4000T, but you can still buy them new.
Zane
11:35 a.m.
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11:48 a.m.
Well, if we just included the Amigas, we could make the list MUCH
shorter.... ;)
On Fri, 18 Jun 1999, Zane H. Healy wrote:
M. K. Peirce
Rhode Island Computer Museum, Inc.
215 Shady Lea Road,
North Kingstown, RI 02852
"Casta est qui nemo rogavit."
- Ovid
Don't
forget the Commodore Amiga 600, 2000HD, 2500, 3000, 3000T, and 4000.
There was also a limited-run 3000U (number?) that ran UN*X. Not sure what
version, though.
Amiga 3000UX
Don't think every model of the Amiga belongs on the list, and you missed the
A1200 and A4000T, but you can still buy them new.
Zane
9:32 a.m.
Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
Here's the first draft at a list of the Top 150 Collectible Microcomputers
(from the U.S.A.). I would have gone for Top 100 but there are just too
many great machines, and 200 is too many.
Great idea Kai! Couple of comments.
Commodore/MOS Technologies KIM-1
I think from a collecting standpoint, these two should be separated.
Granted, they are basically the same but I would consider the MOS version
far more collectable.
Lobo PMC-80
Do you possibly mean the MAX-80? I hadn't heard of a PMC-80.
Polymorphic Systems POLY-88
I have asked a few people but so far no response. Since this was originally
named the Micro-Altair, did any of those machines actually get shipped with
that name? If so, I would consider them to be rather rare and worthy of a
separate listing.
9:52 a.m.
Marvin <marvin(a)rain.org> wrote:
Say Huh?
The Poly-88 was not an Altair. It was made by a group
in Santa Barbara. I have one, they were manufactured and
sold as a product called Poly-88.
Dwight
Polymorphic Systems POLY-88
I have asked a few people but so far no response. Since this was originally
named the Micro-Altair, did any of those machines actually get shipped with
that name? If so, I would consider them to be rather rare and worthy of a
separate listing.
10:18 a.m.
Dwight Elvey wrote:
Marvin <marvin(a)rain.org> wrote:
Say Huh?
The Poly-88 was not an Altair. It was made by a group
in Santa Barbara. I have one, they were manufactured and
sold as a product called Poly-88.
You need to re-read what I wrote. Yes, it was named the Poly 88, but from
what I have read, that was because Ed Roberts objected to the original
"Micro Altair" name, and thus it was changed. I also have the Poly 88 along
with the 8810, 8813, and most of what was left of Polymorphic when it went
under. Included in all of this is the source code for the software that was
written at Polymorphic. One of my many projects is to set up the machine
with both 5 1/4" and 8" disks, and start pulling the contents of these disks
and storing it away on CD-ROM. Too many projects, too little time!
Polymorphic Systems POLY-88
I have asked a few people but so far no response. Since this was originally
named the Micro-Altair, did any of those machines actually get shipped with
that name? If so, I would consider them to be rather rare and worthy of a
separate listing. 
11:23 a.m.
On 18 Jun 99 at 14:11, Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
Here's the first draft at a list of the Top 150
Collectible Microcomputers
(from the U.S.A.). I would have gone for Top 100 but there are just too
many great machines, and 200 is too many.
It's currently at 133 items. Some related models are combined as one, even
though they are rather different... other similar models are kept separate.
This is basically just because I personally feel they rate their own
separate listing, feel free to disagree.
Good list but definitely flame-bait. :^)
One glaring ommission is Grid. Eminently collectable.
I would have included the Atari XEs as Atari XL/XE.
Also the Atari Stacy was the travelling musicians favorite
and is still hard to come by and retains its' price level very well.
The laptops are under-represented. As well as the Grid and STacy the
Epson QX20, Zenith Sportster and Nec Multispeed come to mind.
The Tandy 1000/2000's would be on some collectors lists.
The Hyperion and Icon are highly collectable but I think they were made in
Canada.
ciao larry
lwalker(a)interlog.com
Let us know of your upcoming computer events for our Events Page.
t3c(a)xoommail.com
Collectors List and info http://members.xoom.com/T3C
19 Jun
19 Jun
8:10 a.m.
On 18 Jun 99 at 23:23, Lawrence Walker wrote:
On 18 Jun 99 at 14:11, Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
Oops, looking more closely at your justification I see you do have the
Hyperion and the Epson HX-20 which I misnamed the QX-20.
The ST was also, besides Atari's venture into GUIs the first with MIDI I/O
and the most-used for professional music.
Here's the first draft at a list of the Top
150 Collectible Microcomputers
(from the U.S.A.). I would have gone for Top 100 but there are just too
many great machines, and 200 is too many.
It's currently at 133 items. Some related models are combined as one, even
though they are rather different... other similar models are kept separate.
This is basically just because I personally feel they rate their own
separate listing, feel free to disagree.
Good list but definitely flame-bait. :^)
One glaring ommission is Grid. Eminently collectable.
I would have included the Atari XEs as Atari XL/XE.
Also the Atari Stacy was the travelling musicians favorite
and is still hard to come by and retains its' price level very well.
The laptops are under-represented. As well as the Grid and STacy the
Epson QX20, Zenith Sportster and Nec Multispeed come to mind.
The Tandy 1000/2000's would be on some collectors lists.
The Hyperion and Icon are highly collectable but I think they were made in
Canada.
ciao larry
>About the newest thing on the list is the PS/2 80,
and I had to think about
>that for a while. I left it on, because it represents IBM's fall as the
>dominant force in microcomputing.
I must take issue with your dismissal of the 8580. IBMs intro of the PS/2
line on April 2/87 with the 8580 introduced the analogue VGA standard as well
as MCA. IBMs strict and expensive liscensing for MCA which gave birth to the
VESA consortium undoubtably played a role in IBMs loss of dominance, but the 80
was a remarkable machine in itself even at $10,000 bare.
Also , quoting a newsgroup message:
"We'll note here that IBM sold 13 million PS/2 machines with
MCA and 17 million PS/2s total.
For about three years running in the early 90s the PS/2
division was the most profitable in IBM.
Loaded question: What was the most popular model of computer
of all time. Answer: PS/2. "
I think you have to blame the rise of clones and MS with the VESA
standard, internal conflict between IBM Divisions, and the OS2 failure
as being the cause of IBMs fall from pre-eminance, which has happened
over a long period of time. Which machine would signify DECs decline ?
ciao larry
lwalker(a)interlog.com
Let us know of your upcoming computer events for our Events Page.
t3c(a)xoommail.com
Collectors List and info http://members.xoom.com/T3C
2:25 p.m.
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3:22 p.m.
I don't think it's proper to call the PS/2 a model, it's a line of computers.
As for the C64, it was an actual model. Seems to me that were something
like 20 different models of PS/2.
On Sat, 19 Jun 1999, Cameron Kaiser wrote:
::> Loaded question: What was the most popular
model of computer
::> of all time. Answer: PS/2. "
::
::Did it outsell the Commodore C64?
Unless it sold over 17 million (and that's a conservative estimate), no.
--
-------------------------- personal page: http://calvin.ptloma.edu/~spectre/ --
Cameron Kaiser Database Programmer/Administrative Computing
Point Loma Nazarene University Fax: +1 619 849 2581
ckaiser(a)ptloma.edu Phone: +1 619 849 2539
-- "I'd love to go out with you, but my favourite commercial is on TV."
-------
M. K. Peirce
Rhode Island Computer Museum, Inc.
215 Shady Lea Road,
North Kingstown, RI 02852
"Casta est qui nemo rogavit."
- Ovid
11:40 p.m.
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3:23 p.m.
Aren't the C64 still in production in India or China? Seems to me they
were franchised there just before Commodore went under.
On Sat, 19 Jun 1999, Cameron Kaiser wrote:
::> Loaded question: What was the most popular
model of computer
::> of all time. Answer: PS/2. "
::
::Did it outsell the Commodore C64?
And following up to my last mail, someone slipped me some sales statistics
that say 22 million 64s worldwide.
--
-------------------------- personal page: http://calvin.ptloma.edu/~spectre/ --
Cameron Kaiser Database Programmer/Administrative Computing
Point Loma Nazarene University Fax: +1 619 849 2581
ckaiser(a)ptloma.edu Phone: +1 619 849 2539
-- An apple every eight hours will keep three doctors away. -------------------
M. K. Peirce
Rhode Island Computer Museum, Inc.
215 Shady Lea Road,
North Kingstown, RI 02852
"Casta est qui nemo rogavit."
- Ovid
2:38 p.m.
On 19 Jun 99 at 17:42, ss(a)allegro.com wrote:
Re:
I really don't know for sure. I've never seen the actual figures.
I'm quoting one of the comp.sys.ibm.ps2 regulars who has always seemed quite
knowledgable and astute.
ciao larry
lwalker(a)interlog.com
Let us know of your upcoming computer events for our Events Page.
t3c(a)xoommail.com
Collectors List and info http://members.xoom.com/T3C
Loaded question: What was the most popular model
of computer
of all time. Answer: PS/2. "
Did it outsell the Commodore C64?
SS
5:12 a.m.
Lawrence Walker wrote:
I'll agree that the C64 wins out, but I'm wondering if the whole PS/2 line
doesn't come in behind the iMac.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.aracnet.com/~healyzh/ |
OLoaded question: What was the most popular model
of computer
of all time. Answer: PS/2. "
I reckon the Commodore people here's take exception to that :-) (hint: C64)
cheers,
Lance 
4 p.m.
"Zane H. Healy" wrote:
This is probably a no-brainer, but the Apple IIe was also hugely popular
for many years after it's initial release.
mike
Lawrence Walker wrote:
I'll agree that the C64 wins out, but I'm wondering if the whole PS/2 line
doesn't come in behind the iMac.
Zane OLoaded question: What was the most popular model
of computer
of all time. Answer: PS/2. "
I reckon the Commodore people here's take exception to that :-) (hint: C64)
cheers,
Lance 
18 Jun
18 Jun
11:28 a.m.
On Fri, 18 Jun 1999, Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
Here's the first draft at a list of the Top 150
Collectible Microcomputers
(from the U.S.A.). I would have gone for Top 100 but there are just too
many great machines, and 200 is too many.
________O/_______
O\
Bill_H will get his feelings hurt if you do not include the BigBoard!
There was also an Altos 486, the Kaypro Robie is rather unique, the NEC
APC probably needs to be there, along with the Wave Mate Bullet.
Also, you mention the Morrow MicroDecision units, but do not specify model
number (2, 3, 5, 11, nn). All collectable?
- don
11:41 a.m.
I'd say you definately should add the NEC APC, unless one of those other
models is an APC in disguise, which I don't think they are.
On Fri, 18 Jun 1999, Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
Here's the first draft at a list of the Top 150
Collectible Microcomputers
(from the U.S.A.). I would have gone for Top 100 but there are just too
many great machines, and 200 is too many.
It's currently at 133 items. Some related models are combined as one, even
though they are rather different... other similar models are kept separate.
This is basically just because I personally feel they rate their own
separate listing, feel free to disagree.
Please add items! Items on the list should meet the following categories:
1) Collectible Microcomputer (yes, I know the H-11 is on here as an
"honorary" micro)
3) Sold in the USA
4) Available from a manufacturer (not just plans in a magazine)
The list:
Altos 586
Altos ACS 8000
APF MP1000
Apple I
Apple II
Apple II+
Apple II+ Bell & Howell "Black Apple"
Apple IIc / IIc Plus
Apple IIe / IIe Platinum
Apple IIgs / IIgs Woz Limited Edition
Apple III
Apple III+
Apple Lisa / Macintosh XL
Apple Macintosh 128
Apple Macintosh 512K Through SE
Apple Macintosh Portable
AT&T Unix PC / 3B2 / 7300
Atari 400
Atari 800
Atari XL Series
Atari 520ST / 1040ST
Atari Portfolio
Byte Computers Byt-8
California Computer Systems (CCS) S-100
Coleco ADAM
Commodore/MOS Technologies KIM-1
Commodore PET 2001-8
Commodore PET 4032 / 8032
Commodore SuperPET SP9000
Commodore VIC-20
Commodore 64 / 65
Commodore 128 / 128D
Commodore C16 / Plus 4
Commodore SX64
Commodore Amiga 1000
Commodore Amiga 500
Compaq Portable PC / Plus / II / III
CompuColor II
CompuPro S-100 / 8-16
Convergent Technologies WorkSlate
Corvus Concept
Cromemco C-10
Cromemco System One
Cromemco System Three
Cromemco Z Series
Data General One
DEC Rainbow 100
Digital Group Systems
Dynalogic Hyperion
Epson HX-20
Epson PX-8 Geneva
Epson QX-10 & QX-16
Exidy Sorcerer
Gimix
Franklin ACE 1000 / 1200
Hewlett-Packard HP85
Hewlett-Packard HP150
Heathkit H-8
Heathkit H-11
Heath-Zenith H88/H89
IBM 5100 Personal Computer
IBM 5140 PC Convertible
IBM 5150 Personal Computer
IBM 5160 PC-XT
IBM 5170 AT
IBM 5155 Portable PC
IBM PCjr
IBM PS/2 Model 80
IMSAI 8080
IMSAI PCS-80
IMSAI VDP-80
Ithaca Audio InterSystems DPS-1
Intertec SuperBrain
Kaypro II
Kaypro 4 / 10
Lobo PMC-80
Mattel Aquarius
Mindset PC
MITS Altair 680
MITS Altair 8800
MITS Altair 8800a
MITS Altair 8800b
MITS Altair 8800b Turnkey
Morrow Decision 1
Morrow Micro Decision
Morrow Pivot
NEC PC-6001A
NEC PC-8001A
NEC PC-8201A / PC-5000
North Star Advantage
North Star Horizon
Ohio Scientific Challenger C1P
Ohio Scientific Challenger C4P
Ohio Scientific Challenger C3D
Osborne 1
Osborne Executive
Osborne Vixen
Otrona Attache
Polymorphic Systems POLY-88
Processor Technology SOL
Quasar/Panasonic HK2600TE Hand Held Computer
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 1
Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computers 1-3
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 2
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 3/4
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 4P
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 12 / 16 / 6000
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 / 102 / 200
Radio Shack TRS-80 Micro Color Computer MC-10
Radio Shack TRS-80 Pocket Computers
RCA COSMAC 1802 / ELF / Super ELF
Rockwell AIM-65
Sanyo MBC-1000
Seattle Computer Products 8086
Sharp Pocket Computers PC-1500 / PC-1500A
Sinclair ZX80
Sinclair ZX81 / Timex-Sinclair ZX1000
Smoke Signal Broadcasting Chieftain
Spectravideo SV-318 / SV-328
Sphere
SWTPC (SouthWest Technical Products) 6800
SWTPC (SouthWest Technical Products) 6809
Synertek SYM-1
Texas Instruments TI 99/4A
Timex-Sinclair 1500
Timex-Sinclair 2068
Tomy Tutor
Vector Graphic Vector-1
Vector Graphic Vector-4
VideoBrain
Vtech Laser 128
Xerox 820
Zenith Z-110 / Z-120
M. K. Peirce
Rhode Island Computer Museum, Inc.
215 Shady Lea Road,
North Kingstown, RI 02852
"Casta est qui nemo rogavit."
- Ovid
11:42 a.m.
Hi,
What about the various Alpha Micro systems? Many models fit all
of your criteria.
The Alpha Micro 100 (circa 1979)
http://www.eps.ufsc.br/~gio/cmuseum/am100.htm
Stan
11:46 a.m.
What about:
HP 125 (HP's first CP/M machine),
HP 120 (smaller 120)
HP 110 ("Portable")
"Portable Plus"
"Integral" (luggable Unix)
Various HP 98xx computers
...all much more collectable than, say, Franklin Ace or TRS-80 Model 2/3/4.
Stan
11:52 a.m.
ss(a)allegro.com wrote:
...all much more collectable than, say, Franklin Ace
or TRS-80 Model 2/3/4.
Stan
How about as compared to a VideoBrain, Stan.
I have one of those. I think I even have a disassembled
listing of the code someplace. It used a F8. This
was the first 8 bit micro ( not Intel ). Talk
about missing the boat!
Dwight
1:51 p.m.
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2:25 p.m.
Rumor has it that Tony Duell may have mentioned these words:
Perhaps somebody could explain what makes a computer
'collectable'. I've
got no problems with saving/restoring/preserving any of the machines
mentioned so far (and a lot more besides), but I can't see why particular
machines are desirable and others not.
Well, most of the same factors that make anything else collectible -
personal desire is usually the top factor, but rarity and monetary value
also come into play.
My wife collects trinkets of carousels(sp?), hot air balloons and
sailboats, in that order of importance. Of course, put a 1-off solid-gold
carousel and a $2.00 cast-pot-metal made-by-slave-workers side by side, and
guess which one she'd rather have??? ;-)
All of the above seem useless to me (note I didn't say *worthless*... that
solid-gold carousel would help rescue a *lot* of good computers!!! ;-), and
computers seem useless to her...
Oh, and I'm glad to see the Gimix machine made the list... I drooled over
those when I was young, and would *still* love to have one (one of the
qualities that make them worth more to me than, say, a Commodore 64). The
only omission IMHO was the Tandy 600 - the first laptop with a built-in
floppy drive, IIRC.
Just my $0.0000000000002 (and that's all it's worth... ;-)
Roger "Merch" Merchberger
--
Roger "Merch" Merchberger --- sysadmin, Iceberg Computers
Recycling is good, right??? Ok, so I'll recycle an old .sig.
If at first you don't succeed, nuclear warhead
disarmament should *not* be your first career choice.
19 Jun
19 Jun
6:10 a.m.
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18 Jun
18 Jun
2:31 p.m.
Perhaps somebody could explain what makes a computer
'collectable'. I've
got no problems with saving/restoring/preserving any of the machines
mentioned so far (and a lot more besides), but I can't see why particular
machines are desirable and others not.
I kind of figured it was supposed to be the list of the 150 coolist
microcomputers. It's seriously lacking on some of the computers _I'D_ have
on the list, but then part of the problem is it seems mainly targeted at
'home' computers. Maybe what we really need is a "Top Cool Computers"
list. Here is my idea of some stuff for such a list:
IBM 360
DEC PDP-8, -8/i, -8/e
DEC PDP-11/70, /93
DEC VAX-11/750
DEC Professional 380
DEC Rainbow
Any non -8 or -11 DEC PDP-*
Any Cray
NeXT Cube, Colour TurboStation
Apple ][ series
Apple ///
Apple Lisa, 2, 2/5, 2/10
Apple Macintosh
Commodore C-64
Commodore Amiga 1000, 500, 3000, 1200, 4000
IBM PC (the original)
IMSAI 8080
Atari 520ST, TT030, Falcon
BeBox (Ultra Cool!)
DEC AlphaStation 500 (hey, I like the case :^) and it runs VMS great!)
PowerBook 540c
HP IPC
Tadpole SparcBook, AlphaBook
Northstar Advantage
Kapro II
I'm looking at both the Hardware AND the Operating System with this list.
There is nothing cool that I can think of about the IBM PC, but it has had
a MAJOR impact on everyones life. You'll also note that some of these
aren't classic.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.aracnet.com/~healyzh/ |
1:38 p.m.
Hey, this is a great idea. Thanks, Kai!
I'd add the NeXT cube to the list. For sheer sex appeal, little can beat
a black magnesium cube.
I'd also be curious as to why you consider a particular microcomputer
collectible. Certain ones are obvious - the Atari Portfolio was the first
palmtop; the Epson HX-20 was the first laptop; and so on. But the
qualities of many of these are unknown to me, and I'd love to know more
about them.
-- Bill
2:01 p.m.
Hey, this is a great idea. Thanks, Kai!
I'd add the NeXT cube to the list. For sheer sex appeal, little can beat
a black magnesium cube.
YES, I'd not noticed that NeXT Hardware was totally missing from this list.
Although as a Workstation that might be intended. However, I personally
thing that both because of asthetics, and NeXTstep that at a very minimum
the NeXT Cube should be listed! Personally I think the whole line should
have at least a one line mention!
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh(a)aracnet.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh(a)holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| and Zane's Computer Museum. |
| http://www.aracnet.com/~healyzh/ |
2:28 p.m.
Hey, this is a
great idea. Thanks, Kai!
I'd add the NeXT cube to the list. For sheer sex appeal, little can beat
a black magnesium cube.
YES, I'd not noticed that NeXT Hardware was totally missing from this list.
Although as a Workstation that might be intended. However, I personally
thing that both because of asthetics, and NeXTstep that at a very minimum
the NeXT Cube should be listed! Personally I think the whole line should
have at least a one line mention!
Zane
19 Jun
19 Jun
6:12 a.m.
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18 Jun
18 Jun
4:08 p.m.
On Fri, 18 Jun 1999, Bill Sheehan wrote:
Hey, this is a great idea. Thanks, Kai!
I'd add the NeXT cube to the list. For sheer sex appeal, little can beat
a black magnesium cube.
Oh, I don't know. There are many who are more attracted by white 'ivory'
cubes with black spots on them!
- don
I'd also be curious as to why you consider a
particular microcomputer
collectible. Certain ones are obvious - the Atari Portfolio was the first
palmtop; the Epson HX-20 was the first laptop; and so on. But the
qualities of many of these are unknown to me, and I'd love to know more
about them.
-- Bill
5:52 p.m.
Don't forget the Canon Cat. And what about the MacII? Also, if
you include the Aquarius, how about the Adam?
On a side note, perhaps it would be better to have the most
collectable by category (e.g. 8 bit home, S-100, early GUI, etc).
That way more items can be listed but still be managed. Plus then
everyone can argue about how to classify things (does the
CompuPro go under CPM or S100 or both).
George
3:10 p.m.
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 1
Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computers 1-3
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 2
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 3/4
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 4P
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 12 / 16 / 6000
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 / 102 / 200
Radio Shack TRS-80 Micro Color Computer MC-10
Radio Shack TRS-80 Pocket Computers
One to aadd to this list...rarity makes it desireable:
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 600
Rick Bensene
The Old Calculators Web Museum
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lab/7510
19 Jun
19 Jun
7:07 a.m.
Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
Here's the first draft at a list of the Top 150
Collectible Microcomputers
(from the U.S.A.). I would have gone for Top 100 but there are just too
many great machines, and 200 is too many.
3) Sold in the USA
I thought this was an international list ? Why limit it to machines available
only in the US ? There were a few (half decent) locally made 'puters that were
produced in Oz that could easily be counted.
cheers,
Lance
20 Jun
20 Jun
3:53 p.m.
On Fri, Jun 18, 1999 at 02:11:35PM -0700, Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
Here's the first draft at a list of the Top 150
Collectible
Microcomputers (from the U.S.A.). I would have gone for Top 100 but
there are just too many great machines, and 200 is too many.
How about the Rubicon 2000 series? CP/M or MP/M, an 8086, 8087, and
an 8089, three serial ports, a parallel port, up to 1 MB RAM. It's
kinda funny how much better these machines are than any of the early
PC compatibles. :(
--
Brad Ackerman N1MNB "...faced with the men and women who bring home
bsa3(a)cornell.edu the pork, voters almost always re-elect them."
http://skaro.pair.com/ -- _The Economist_, 31 Oct 1998
21 Jun
21 Jun
9:32 a.m.
First, note the change in the subject line. There's absolutely nothing
wrong with making a geographic specific list (or any other arbitrary
sub-class), but labelling it as such should be obligatory. Kai's list is
an excellent one, but it is impossible for such not to be subjective.
Rather than separate entries, it might be more managable to always group
all machines of a given manufacturer, or at least series, together.
Firstly, various submodels, such as Apple ][ and ][+ and ][e, although all
warranting inclusion, don't really warrant separate entries. But then, to
decide where to draw the line between "different" models still poses a
question. How can you compare the relative differences between a TRS-80 3
v 4 as opposed to an Apple ][ v ][+? A minor formatting help would be to
place all machines of a given manufacturer in an indented list with that
manufacturer.
In the case of rebranded machines, perhaps list them and their vendor
under the actual manufacturer. For example:
Kyocera:
Radio Sjack Model 100
NEC 8200/8201
Olivetti xxxxxxx (help me here, Roger!)
Sharp:
Radio Shack Pocket Computer xxx
Sharp xxxx
Some suggested additions:
Columbia (arguably first clone, before Compaq)
Gavilan (early MS-DOS laptop)
3"
3.5" 8 line
16 line
Poqet (first 80x25 handheld MS-DOS)
OK, now on to the obligatory minor quibbles:
On Fri, 18 Jun 1999, Kai Kaltenbach wrote:
* Apple I
* > Apple II
* Apple II+
* Apple II+ Bell & Howell "Black Apple"
This has a certain cache simply because it's black, and has always been
considered a collector piece for Apple afficianados.
(also had a few trivial other
mods besides color, such as lockable lid)
The standard school equipment for years, thus
eminently collectible for
those who first learned to compute on them.
Aha! from that we can deduce exactly
how old you are, and even make some
guesses about WHERE you went to school.
* Apple Lisa / Macintosh XL
(If these two of
different rarities are grouped together, why not others?)
* Convergent Technologies WorkSlate
A wacky early laptop that used a spreadsheet metaphor for _everything_.
arguably
^^^^^^ "notebook" The phone was a strange feature, too.
* DEC Rainbow 100
DEC cloned the PC and made it even better than the original design, but
better doesn't mean 100% compatible.
Hardly a "clone". Dec seemed to
have started with a CP/M design, and then
modified for MS-DOS. Dec seemed to go out of their way to be
incompatible/different.
* Epson HX-20
A cute early take on laptops.
again, "notebook"??
Although not officially sold in US, the HC-20 was the same machine in gray
instead of beige, with Katakana included on keyboard and character
generator ROMs.
* Kaypro II
Kaypro proves that being cheaper than the Osborne is the only thing that
matters.
SCREEN SIZE
* Kaypro 4 / 10
Kaypro goes double-density, then adds possibly the first portable hard disk
system.
ALL Kaypros (2, 2X, ...) were double density! Do you mean double sided?
Or redefining "double density"?
* Lobo PMC-80
The first TRS-80 clone
1) PMC IS NOT LOBO!
2) I'm not sure, but I think that the LNW was first, followed by PMC, and
then Lobo (who started with drives, then an expansion interface, then
computer and L-DOS (spun off into LSI))
* Ohio Scientific Challenger C3D
Would you believe THREE different microprocessors in one chassis? 6502,
6809, and Z-80.
Was tried again later by Dimension? (8086?, 6502? 68000?)
* Osborne 1
They said Adam Osborne should stop preaching about how to build a good
computer, and just go build one. A great design, and a great success until
nuked by cheaper, less engineered copycats by companies like Kaypro.
I don't think that the intent of NLS (Kaypro) was to imitate Osborne. By
the time the O1 was released, there were already many other portables
being developed. Including one built into a Hallibuton attache case that
I introduced a few hours before Osborne intro'd theirs.
* Otrona Attache
Simply a nice luggable design
And one of the first Microcomputer trademark cases!
Otrona did an ad
showing a Charlie Chaplin look-a-like trying to carry a PC down stairs on
a card table. (No IBM didn't have the real Chaplin, nor his
authorization; they had authorization from his estate.)
* Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 1
One of the best selling computers of all time, viewed as the "serious"
machine versus those "color graphics" 6502 boxes from Apple and Atari.
I
sure wouldn't call it more "serious", but the lowest level crudest entry
level was $400, so it was the CHEAPEST.
* Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computers 1-3
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Radio Shack goes color and 6502.
TYPO??
There are some stories about Motorola's involvement in the development of
it.
* Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 2
Radio Shack goes business.
* Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 12 / 16 / 6000
TRS-80 goes multi-user
The addition of a 68000 co-processor board warrants
inclusion, but should
be grouped with the Model 2.
* Sanyo MBC-1000
Popular CP/M desktop for business and word processing
How about their much hated MS-DOS machine?
A NICE list!
treat everybody's arguments as SUGGESTIONS, and let us know when you have
an update.
Which machines from the list do you HAVE?/WANT?
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
9:54 a.m.
New subject: Kai's list of Top 150 Collectible USA Microcomputers
OOoops!
I explicitly mentioned adjusting the subject line, and then succeeded in
sending it out with the old subject line.
Sorry.
10:14 a.m.
New subject: Wang stuff
RCS/RI needs to pare down our Wang stuff. Some of it may be going to the
South County folks (Merle & Co.), but there will be stuff left over. It
is all mainframe type stuff - printers and tubes, mostly - maybe a 14"
hdd or two. If anyone wants the stuff, please let me know. Sorry, but we
can not ship anything, so its pick-up from Providence, RI.
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org
10:30 a.m.
New subject: VIC-20 printer
Are the printers for VIC-20s rare things? I have a ratty one, picked up
with some other hamfest leftovers, and unless it is rare or badly wanted,
I am going to part it out.
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org
23 Jun
23 Jun
6:35 a.m.
New subject: VIC-20 printer
William Donzelli wrote:
Are the printers for VIC-20s rare things? I have a
ratty one, picked up
with some other hamfest leftovers, and unless it is rare or badly wanted,
I am going to part it out.
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org
Not really rare at all, any of the printers for the VIC/64 etc will work
with it. MPS 801, 803, 1200 etc. They can all be picked up quite cheaply at
the moment. I remember when I bought my first MPS 803, $A400, now I get 'em
for about $3 or $4 each......
9 Jul
9 Jul
1:26 a.m.
New subject: Wang stuff
I found the number for Retrofit (Retrofix?)
508-478-2222
I'll try to get up for the Open House and look things over, then you may
want to talk with those Retro people...
M. K. Peirce
Rhode Island Computer Museum, Inc.
215 Shady Lea Road,
North Kingstown, RI 02852
"Casta est qui nemo rogavit."
- Ovid
4:39 a.m.
New subject: Wang stuff
Further on that, I found this address:
755 Fortune Road,
Milford, MA 01757
On Fri, 9 Jul 1999, Merle K. Peirce wrote:
I found the number for Retrofit (Retrofix?)
508-478-2222
I'll try to get up for the Open House and look things over, then you may
want to talk with those Retro people...
M. K. Peirce
Rhode Island Computer Museum, Inc.
215 Shady Lea Road,
North Kingstown, RI 02852
"Casta est qui nemo rogavit."
- Ovid
M. K. Peirce
Rhode Island Computer Museum, Inc.
215 Shady Lea Road,
North Kingstown, RI 02852
"Casta est qui nemo rogavit."
- Ovid
9302
days inactive
9323
days old
46 comments
21 participants
participants (21)
-
a2k＠one.net -
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
at258＠osfn.org -
aw288＠osfn.org -
black＠gco.apana.org.au -
bsa3＠cornell.edu -
celt＠chisp.net -
cisin＠xenosoft.com -
ckaiser＠oa.ptloma.edu -
donm＠cts.com -
elvey＠hal.com -
g＠kurico.com -
healyzh＠aracnet.com -
kaikal＠MICROSOFT.com -
lemay＠cs.umn.edu -
lwalker＠mail.interlog.com -
marvin＠rain.org -
rickb＠pail.enginet.com -
sheehan＠switchboardmail.com -
ss＠allegro.com -
zmerch＠30below.com