List of collectable computers

[Erik]

I was just poking around on the web (doing some research) and came across an old post from the CCTalk mailing list ()

The post was from Kai Kaltenbach on 06/18/99 and it represents his first draft at a "top 150" collectable computers. It's quoted in its entirety below:

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

What would you add?

Erik

[CP/M User]

"Erik" wrote in message:
> I was just poking around on the web (doing some research) and
> came across an old post from the CCTalk mailing list ()

> The post was from Kai Kaltenbach on 06/18/99 and it represents
> his first draft at a "top 150" collectable computers. It's quoted in
> its entirety below:

>> 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

> What would you add?

Amstrad CPC464/CPC664/CPC6128
Amstrad PCW computers
Jupiter Ace (they maybe under a
different name there).

Well these machines were basically
released in the UK, but are of the
same vintage as a C64 would be!

Cheers.

[Bdamer]

Maybe there are some from our collection here at the DigiBarn that should be on your list:
http://www.digibarn.com/collections/index.html
(there are some we are still missing from your great list too ;)

Bruce

[curtis]

Need to add the NEC PC-8300 and 8401.

Also the Epson HC-40 (aka HX-40)

Also, there are variants of the Epson PX-8! The screen bezel can have PX-8, Geneva, or nothing!

Kaypro Robie
Radio Shack/Tandy 600
Zenith ZP-150
Zenith Minisport and Minisport HD
Olivetti M10
Sharp PC-5000

Of course, after a couple people hear you collect old computers, you'll be inundated with Timex Sinclair 1000's!! Sheesh, I can't get rid of all of them!

Curtis

[CP/M User]

"curtis" wrote in message:

Hi Curtis,

> Need to add the NEC PC-8300 and 8401.

I got a picture of a NEC PC8000 which was
apparantly a big seller in Japan. It certainally
a nice looking machine.

> Also the Epson HC-40 (aka HX-40)

> Also, there are variants of the Epson PX-8!
> The screen bezel can have PX-8, Geneva, or nothing!

The Screen on the PX-8 being larger. But it's
certainally nice looking for it's age! :-)

> Kaypro Robie
> Radio Shack/Tandy 600
> Zenith ZP-150
> Zenith Minisport and Minisport HD
> Olivetti M10
> Sharp PC-5000

> Of course, after a couple people hear you collect
> old computers, you'll be inundated with Timex
> Sinclair 1000's!! Sheesh, I can't get rid of all of
> them!

No Jupiter Ace amonst those Timex Sinclair 1000's,
they look simular. Geez they are hard to find, if I
do find one the guy will want a million for it!! Still
they mightn't even be local. There are people in
Australia, who are looking for Amstrad CPC
computers (like mine), I brought mine just in the
nick of time, but Jupiter Ace would be even rarer,
due to it's lack of success. Bringing a group of
enthusiests to your site Erik is one thing, finding
rare computers is another!

Cheers.

[Terry Yager]

Put in my vote for the Zenith Z-150 too, please.

[Terry Yager]

I don't see the TI CC-40 on the list either.

[CP/M User]

"Terry Yager" wrote in message:

> I don't see the TI CC-40 on the list either.

Or the TI-99/4. It's simular (in appearance)
to the TI-99/4A listed there, but it isn't a
16bit computer.

Erik, were you going to update the list? Or
just play it like this?

Cheers.

[Erik]

I think it's worth updating here:

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
Commodore Amiga 2000
Commodore Amiga 3000
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 HX-40/HC-40
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 5155 Portable PC
IBM 5160 PC-XT
IBM 5170 AT
IBM PCjr
IBM PS/2 Model 80
IMSAI 8080
IMSAI PCS-80
IMSAI VDP-80
Ithaca Audio InterSystems DPS-1
Intertec SuperBrain
Jupiter Ace
Kaypro II
Kaypro 4 / 10
Kaypro 2x
Kaypro I
Kaypro Robie
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
NEC PC-8300
NEC PC-8401
North Star Advantage
North Star Horizon
Ohio Scientific Challenger C1P
Ohio Scientific Challenger C4P
Ohio Scientific Challenger C3D
Olivetti M10
Osborne 1/1a
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
Radio Shack/Tandy 600
RCA COSMAC 1802 / ELF / Super ELF
Rockwell AIM-65
Sanyo MBC-1000
Seattle Computer Products 8086
Sharp Pocket Computers PC-1500 / PC-1500A
Sharp PC-5000
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 99/4
Texas Instruments TI 99/4A
Texas Instruments CC-40
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
Zenith Z-150
Zenith ZP-150
Zenith Minisport/Minisport HD

[CP/M User]

"Erik" wrote in message:

>I think it's worth updating here:

Oops!, the Amstrad Computers
forgot a mention! :-) There were
more than the ones I've mentioned,
but the model numbers escapes me.

I've just printed the list with those
in there & can delete them if you wish
to edit your own posted! :-)

Cheers.

Altos 586
Altos ACS 8000
Amstrad CPC 464
Amstrad CPC 664
Amstrad CPC 6128
Amstrad CPC 464 Plus
Amstrad CPC 6128 Plus
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
Commodore Amiga 2000
Commodore Amiga 3000
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 HX-40/HC-40
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 5155 Portable PC
IBM 5160 PC-XT
IBM 5170 AT
IBM PCjr
IBM PS/2 Model 80
IMSAI 8080
IMSAI PCS-80
IMSAI VDP-80
Ithaca Audio InterSystems DPS-1
Intertec SuperBrain
Jupiter Ace
Kaypro II
Kaypro 4 / 10
Kaypro 2x
Kaypro I
Kaypro Robie
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
NEC PC-8300
NEC PC-8401
North Star Advantage
North Star Horizon
Ohio Scientific Challenger C1P
Ohio Scientific Challenger C4P
Ohio Scientific Challenger C3D
Olivetti M10
Osborne 1/1a
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
Radio Shack/Tandy 600
RCA COSMAC 1802 / ELF / Super ELF
Rockwell AIM-65
Sanyo MBC-1000
Seattle Computer Products 8086
Sharp Pocket Computers PC-1500 / PC-1500A
Sharp PC-5000
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 99/4
Texas Instruments TI 99/4A
Texas Instruments CC-40
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
Zenith Z-150
Zenith ZP-150
Zenith Minisport/Minisport HD

[Terry Yager]

WAK!!! I just keep thinking of other computers that should be on the list. What about the most collectible computer of all, the TRS-80 Model 100?
I would also have to include the Victor (Sirus) 9000 on my short list.

[CP/M User]

"Terry Yager" wrote in message:

> WAK!!! I just keep thinking of other computers
> that should be on the list. What about the most
> collectible computer of all, the TRS-80 Model 100?
> I would also have to include the Victor (Sirus)
> 9000 on my short list.

The Victor 9000 on paper sounds like a decent
machine. I've also have (in my book) a picture
showning the resolution of that. While it might be
a green screen, the pictures are so detailed (as
good as a photo if they were in colour).

I might of just made the Jupiter Ace a much more
collectable computer, why? Because it's such a
rare machine & most of the people I met who
could have got one back in 1983 are banging
their heads against a brick wall (cause they know
that anything rare, must be worth a few quid!).

Cheers.

[David Buttery]

Good grief, not a single Acorn on the list! There was certainly a version of the BBC Micro for the US market (though it didn't have quite such good resolution cos of the US TV screens being NTSC), so it meets condition 3. (What happened to condition 2, btw?)

[Erik]

Good grief, not a single Acorn on the list! There was certainly a version of the BBC Micro for the US market (though it didn't have quite such good resolution cos of the US TV screens being NTSC), so it meets condition 3. (What happened to condition 2, btw?)

I'm not familiar with the BBC machines being sold in the American market, but I'm sure they were and should be on the list. Actually, condition 3 should probably go the way of condition 2 (which was gone before I found the post in the ccTalk archives). This is an international forum, after all.

Erik

[Terry Yager]

I would also add the condition that the computer should be common enough that anyone that wants one can find it without too much grief. This might eliminate some of the rarer machines, but are they really to be considered collectible if the regular folks like us can't collect them?

[CP/M User]

"Terry Yager"

> I would also have to include the Victor
> (Sirus) 9000 on my short list.

You may want to hop over to the CP/M
(comp.os.cpm), if you haven't done so
already. Paul Ryan has one he's offerning
for nothing. It's not in the best condition,
but it might be servicable.

Cheers.

[Terry Yager]

I have had several of these machines come and go. I no longer had the space to store them so I donated them to a local computer museum. The curator is a good friend of mine, so if I wanted one of them back I could have it just for the asking. I would not even have to pay for shipping.

--T

[CP/M User]

"Terry Yager" wrote in message:

Hi Terry,

> I have had several of these machines come and go.
> I no longer had the space to store them so I donated
> them to a local computer museum. The curator is a
> good friend of mine, so if I wanted one of them back
> I could have it just for the asking. I would not even
> have to pay for shipping.

Sorry, I was under the impression you were in need of
one (or would like one)! :-(

Cheers.

[Terry Yager]

Oh I would love to have one again, if space permitted. Actually I'd like to have the one my friend has, with the "Plus PC"ption and the hard drive. I always loved the screen font of that machine, which is the prettiest one I'v ever seen. The variable speed disk drives were special too. I used to love listening to them step thru the disk. It sounded soooo sweeet!

--T

[CP/M User]

"Terry Yager" wrote in message:

> Oh I would love to have one again, if
> space permitted. Actually I'd like to
> have the one my friend has, with the
> "Plus PC"ption and the hard drive. I
> always loved the screen font of that
> machine, which is the prettiest one
> I've ever seen. The variable speed
> disk drives were special too. I used
> to love listening to them step thru
> the disk. It sounded soooo sweeet!

Is there a DOS emulator available for this
machine? If I know what the font could
look like, maybe I could recreate it for
the IBM (I've written some programs
which redefines the font).

Cheers.

[Erik]

I remember back in High School my science teacher (also in charge of the Computer Lab) asked my opinion about what the school should by with next years computer budget.

I suggested that they either go for quality or quantity.

On the quality side I recommended the new IBM PC since it was obviously going to set a new standard and the machines were rock solid and reliable, plus they had all of the software and languages the school needed.

On the quantity side I suggested machines like the Atari 800. Good, established, well built machines that could be easily replaced if broken and that had everything needed to work in the department.

If I remember correctly the budget would have allowed for 4 PCs or about a dozen Ataris depending on configurations.

I came back the next fall and they had purchased 3 Victor 9000s.

The machines were nearly useless because they didn't read or write disks that anyone else could use. The software was limited and what was available was more expensive then other machines.

Their reliablity was questionable at best and, in the end, they basically sat doing nothing until the next years appropriation allowed the department to correct its mistake.

Erik

[Terry Yager]

CP/M User:
Sorry fr LOL, but your question tickled my funnybone until i realized you are completely unfamiliar with the V-9000...

No, you prolly won't find a DOS emulator for it because it *is* a MS-DOS machine. I don't think there is much point in uzing DOS to Emulate DOS

--T

[Terry Yager]

>If I remember correctly the budget would have allowed for 4 PCs or >about a dozen Ataris depending on configurations.

>I came back the next fall and they had purchased 3 Victor 9000s.

In 1984 the V9000 would sell for $5000, whereas the IBM-PC was at 2205.00, but it didnt come with a monitor, or even a video card. Those had tto be purched separately, as did the serial port, the paralell port and any extra memory you might want above the 64k that it came with. It also had only one floppy drive

>The machines were nearly useless because they didn't read or write >disks that anyone else could use. The software was limited and what >was available was more expensive then other machines.

>Their reliablity was questionable at best and, in the end, they basically >sat doing nothing until the next years appropriation allowed the >department to correct its mistake.

Erik

Yeah, mine wrer pretty useless, except for the many hours I spent playing with them. They were useful for thier entertainment value.

--T

[CP/M User]

"Erik" wrote in message:

> I came back the next fall and
> they had purchased 3 Victor 9000s.

> The machines were nearly useless
> because they didn't read or write disks
> that anyone else could use. The software
> was limited and what was available was
> more expensive then other machines.

> Their reliablity was questionable at best
> and, in the end, they basically sat doing
> nothing until the next years appropriation
> allowed the department to correct its
> mistake.

Clearly in this situtation, I belive they made
the wrong choice. They would have been
better off with an Apple II based machines.

But if they purchased this machine believing
that it was IBM compatable they would have
been asking for trouble. 'The Personal
Computer Handbook - A complete practical
guide to choosing and using your micro' from
Peter Rodwell describes this machine simply
as a business machine. The software is
described Business Packages word processing,
spread-sheet, communications & graphics
available from various software suppliers. The
only thing going in terms of learning on it is
the programming languages.

However, I do not see this machine as an IBM
compatable. Sure it runs MS-DOS, CP/M-86
however back then there were a range of
machines not necessary IBM compatable at all
which used them.

Cheers.

[CP/M User]

"Terry Yager" wrote in message:

> CP/M User:

> Sorry fr LOL, but your question tickled my funnybone
> until i realized you are completely unfamiliar with
> the V-9000...

That doesn't stop me having a book which talks all about
the machine. Sure I've never had one or seen one at all,
but I do know what it runs. Check out my answer to Erik
because that holds come key arguments that I could use
here about the V-9000! :-)

> No, you prolly won't find a DOS emulator
> for it because it *is* a MS-DOS machine.
> I don't think there is much point in uzing
> DOS to Emulate DOS

No, your missing the point. My point was 'is
there a DOS emulator program which
emulates the V-9000?'. This would be an
application when once runs boots up
MS-DOS (like the original machine would)
from perhaps a disk image. The image
would support the funny disk format 600k
per side disk & virtual hard disk could be
made (in a file on your computers HD!).
For the video display on the IBM, you may
need a VGA (to produce the text seen on
the V-9000)!

You'd be amazed to know that on faster
computers someone has written a 386
emulator! This is so you can take those
ol' games as well as programs & use
them at the speed they were intended to
run at. So someone might just say, why
emulator an older IBM compatable on a
new IBM compatable? Why not just buy
a 386 instead! ;-)

The Victor 9000 is as you stated runs
MS-DOS & CP/M-86. But I set this
machine aside from a IBM compat. as
a standard alone machine (which by
strange co-instance uses the 8088
processor!).

Cheers.

[Terry Yager]

The Victor could have looked better than the IBM, at least on paper. It supported more memory (up to 896kb), higher capacity disk drives, came with monitor, disk drives, serial port ans paralell port, all for about the same price as the IBM PC. It doesn't surprize me that they chose the Victor.

--T

[CP/M User]

"Terry Yager" wrote in message:

> The Victor could have looked better than the IBM, at
> least on paper. It supported more memory (up to
> 896kb), higher capacity disk drives, came with
> monitor, disk drives, serial port ans paralell port, all
> for about the same price as the IBM PC. It doesn't
> surprize me that they chose the Victor.

This is True. Unfortunately, the options of buying a
machine back then mean't you had to look what it
provided. It's not such a big issue now, since
computers in general offer a range of things for
anyone. They always said that buying a machine
just as it came out was risky, unless you knew
what range of software was available for it. For
myself I got the shock of my life in 1989 when
I discovered what games were like for an Amstrad.
Up til that year, I only had games which came out
roughtly from 1984/5 vintage (the year the first
Amstrads came out).

Another example of a machine gone horribly
wrong due to the lack of public interest is the
Jupiter Ace. Some people I met over the 'net
have stated they once had one & threw the
machine out because of the lack of interest.
Now this rare machine has even more interest! :-)

Cheers.

[Erik]

I noticed that the Telcon Zorba is missing from this list (I just bought one). I'll add it on the next iteration.

The Zorba is a CP/M portable much like the Kaypro and Osborne machines.

Erik

[Terry Yager]

Oh yes, I remember it well. I had a chance to buy one but I thought the price was too high fro my budget. Someone else got it tho...

--T

[CP/M User]

"Terry Yager" wrote in message:

> Oh yes, I remember it well. I had a chance to
> buy one but I thought the price was too high
> [for] my budget. Someone else got it tho...

I've only heard a little bit about this machine from
the CP/M newsgroup & unfortunately I don't know
much. I didn't realise this was a portable machine
though. How ol' would it be Erik?

Cheers.

[Erik]

I got the REALLY nice Zorba that was on eBay a few weeks ago. It hasn't arrived yet (it should any day now. . . ) but from the auction it looks pretty sweet.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2731878911

This was one of those situations where I was willing to pay for quality. I'm usually VERY conservative in my bids, but this machine is pretty much factory-new and that's what I look for in a collectible.

The Zorba was a CP/M machine made in 1983 or 1984 (I'll do a bit more research when it gets a page on my website). The company didn't last too long, for some reason, but the combination of features (basically identical to the Kaypro) along with the ability to read/write pretty much every 5.25" CP/M format made the machine popular with a bunch of people.

Erik

[CP/M User]

"Erik" wrote in message:

> The Zorba was a CP/M machine made in
> 1983 or 1984 (I'll do a bit more research
> when it gets a page on my website).
> The company didn't last too long, for
> some reason, but the combination of
> features (basically identical to the
> Kaypro) along with the ability to
> read/write pretty much every 5.25" CP/M
> format made the machine popular with a
> bunch of people.

Maybe Kaypro sued them! :-(

Reading all the CP/M formats with the 5.25"
disk probably suggested that they stole
code based on the information of each disk
& broke copyright laws.

Cheers.

[Erik]

I think it was probably more a matter of timing. The Kaypro was dominant in that market until about 1985 and from that point the PC was king.

Erik

[CP/M User]

"Erik" wrote in message:

> I think it was probably more a matter of
> timing. The Kaypro was dominant in that
> market until about 1985 and from that
> point the PC was king.

If you're referning to IBM based PCs, then
it was a slightly different story here. They
didn't really take off here until Windows 3.0
did. That's not to say that DOS rules, it's a
far better OS than Windows is (well having
used Windows 3.1 isn't too bad, but Win95
onwards is a joke!).

C64s seem to be the machine most people
had, 'til that turning point. Since Amstrads
were in direct competition with them here,
I tend to favor the Amstrad! :-)

Cheers.

[denim]

What's with all the bitty boxes? I go for Real Systems:

CDC 6600
Cray anything
DEC Alpha 7000
DEC PDP-x {x= 1-11}
DEC VAX-11
DEC VAX 8650
IBM 1130
IBM 360
Intel Hypercube
Pyramid whatever

If it doesn't qualify for news:alt.folklore.computers, it's not Vintage! Or so it seems to me.

[Thomas Hillebrandt]

I think I should add some machines produced in my proud country :wink:

Regnecentralen RC700 Piccolo
Regnecentralen RC Piccoline
Regnecentralen RC Partner
Logic Design James PC800
Regnecentralen GIER
Christian Rovsing CR16 Ambassador

...to name but a few...Personally I only own a few Piccolo and Piccoline's, but they're sweet. Running CP/M in some flavour or other...

[CP/M User]

"denim" wrote in message:

> What's with all the bitty boxes? I go for
> Real Systems:

> CDC 6600
> Cray anything
> DEC Alpha 7000
> DEC PDP-x {x= 1-11}
> DEC VAX-11
> DEC VAX 8650
> IBM 1130
> IBM 360
> Intel Hypercube
> Pyramid whatever

> If it doesn't qualify for
> alt.folklore.computers, it's not Vintage!

I don't believe that. Why aren't they
vintage? How about early micros which
are older than some of the PDP systems.

> Or so it seems to me.

Well I don't agree. Easily you could need
a mansion to fit all of your huge systems
into & by that degree you are limiting the
old machines to the higher class of
people. Surely someone of a higher class
would give too hoots about ol' vintage
computers (sure there maybe some),
but do you really want to see this
messageboard turn into that.

I believe that a vintage machine is
something outside the class of an IBM
compatable. In other words a hobbyist
machine. People don't really class an
IBM compatable computer as that,
generally due to the way the public
has treated it.

BTW, I remember one of your fellow
alt.folklore.computers claiming that
anything over 20 years old is suitable
for it. In a sense I could quickly turn
this group into a discussion for the
Jupiter Ace, Apple IIs, Atari 400 or
800! ;-)

Cheers.

[denim]

"denim" wrote in message:
I don't believe that. Why aren't they
vintage? How about early micros which
are older than some of the PDP systems.
Oh, you just don't know what alt.folklore.computers is. If a computer is at least 20 years old, it's old enough. Size isn't the important thing. I was asking two questions, not one.

Ah, I see you do know after all! :) Then you should understand that.

[CP/M User]

"denim" wrote in message:

>> I don't believe that. Why aren't they
>> vintage? How about early micros which
>> are older than some of the PDP systems.

> Oh, you just don't know what
> alt.folklore.computers is. If a computer is
> at least 20 years old, it's old enough. Size
> isn't the important thing. I was asking two
> questions, not one.

Yes, I know what alt.folklore.computers is.
Size seemed to be the important thing in your
last post & I only saw one question, not two.

> Ah, I see you "do" know after all! :)
> Then you should understand that.

So in a sense subjects on computers about the
Jupiter Ace could be posted there. It's 20 years
old (this year). Unfortunately, they make
comp.sys.sinclair & comp.lang.forth it's
destination. It may appear to look like an
Sinclair & have had 2 former members of
Sinclair create it, but it ain't exactly what it is.
As a result, the comp.lang.forth has turned into
a mini discussion group about the hardware
made for it.

Cheers.

[barryp]

"Terry Yager" wrote in message:

> I don't see the TI CC-40 on the list either.

Or the TI-99/4. It's simular (in appearance)
to the TI-99/4A listed there, but it isn't a
16bit computer.

No, the TI-99/4 (without the A) certainly is a 16-bit computer, both use a TMS9900NL. There's some software that won't run on one or the other but that's ~1%. the /4 and /4A should be lumped together for general purposes.

[CP/M User]

"barryp" wrote in message:

>>> I don't see the TI CC-40 on the list either.

>> Or the TI-99/4. It's simular (in appearance)
>> to the TI-99/4A listed there, but it isn't a
>> 16bit computer.

> No, the TI-99/4 (without the A) certainly is a
> 16-bit computer, both use a TMS9900NL.
> There's some software that won't run on one
> or the other but that's ~1%. the /4 and /4A
> should be lumped together for general
> purposes.

Oh okay, someone or something gave me the
impression that it was an 8bitter! :-)

I was just wonderning if the /4 came out in
1979? And the /4A in 1981?

Cheers.

[Dwight Elvey]

Hi
Here are a couple more:

Olivetti M20 ( sometimes called L1 ) had a Z8001 processor
Canon Cat Design by Jef Raskin
Nicolet 1080 20bit with core, just real rare ( I only know of 4 in the world )
The BASIC for this one had matrix functions.

I've got these. I also have a Jupiter Ace, as mentioned before.

Another odd one is a SYM-1 with a KTM-2 keyboard/video terminal and
a FDC-1 floppy interface board. I've not seen any KTM-2's or the floppy
interface on ebay.
Dwight