On Sat, 7 Apr 2001, Joe wrote:
First, are we talking about the same machine?
I'm talking about the HP
9000 520. Aka 9020. It's a large desktop machine with a built in keyboard
and monitor. It looks like a grossly oversized Commodore 64. I think the K
520 is an entirely different machine.
Are there any other similar HP machines? I've seen such a beast at a
mate's, but I could be mistaken. It had several cartridge ports, IIRC.
Next, I was speaking of old computers in general.
Some of people on the
list are always complaining about how the internet, E-bay (and now the
ex-MITS building computer museum) are driving up the prices of old machines
and how they can't afford old computers any more, etc, etc. However I
manage to find something interesting nearly everytime that I go looking. I
didn't even go out this week but still managed to aquire some HP Integral
manauls, a HP documentation index and found the auction listing for the two
9000 520s. Last week I did go looking and found two NICE Kaypros with loads
of original disks. The week before that I found an IBM L40SX, IBM P70, a
Sun 635 MP, a HP 9000 520, a HP 9836, a HP 9000 series 300 and a HP 9000
835. My point is there are still loads of old computers out there and for
cheap prices if anyone is willing to get off their a** and go look!
I don't believe that's the case where I'm at. I don't know where old
machines go here, but I suppose a lot of them have either wound up in the
collections of the academic computer clubs and their members, or gone to
the "recycling" plants. There even doesn't seem to be that many collectors
over here.
Then again, I'm not the kind who likes stealing or begging. I'm such a
coward, I won't take chances.