Tomy Tutor

[jczr2]

Hi, I have a Tomy Tutor from when i was young. I was wondering if it had any value. It does work and seems to be in perfect condition.
Thanks

[willowmoon93]

I'm guessing you mean the Tomy Tutor computer and not the typewriter model. Just was looking through all the closed listings for Tomy Tutor in general and none of them even got bids. The typewriter was listed for 99 cents and didn't even get a nibble. The computer model even included the box and the seller was only asking for $4.99, but didn't get any bids.

My guess is that it has low monetary value but higher sentimental value. Not than eBay is a be-all/end-all for the value of items but it's a relatively decent enough barometer of the secondary market.

[Bill_Loguidice]

They generally sell in the $25 - $50 range before shipping depending upon what's included. They pop up fairly regularly, but are not very competitively bid on. They're fun and there's an interesting Japanese (Pyutta) compatible software component that IS sought after. I have two of those systems myself. In some areas it's like an improved TI-99/4a that has been unnecessarily crippled in other areas.

[willowmoon93]

I'm guessing you mean the Tomy Tutor computer and not the typewriter model. Just was looking through all the closed listings for Tomy Tutor in general and none of them even got bids. The typewriter was listed for 99 cents and didn't even get a nibble. The computer model even included the box and the seller was only asking for $4.99, but didn't get any bids.

My guess is that it has low monetary value but higher sentimental value. Not than eBay is a be-all/end-all for the value of items but it's a relatively decent enough barometer of the secondary market.


Whoops!! Looks like I made a mistake on this one, I only saw the Tomy Tutor Toy Computer which is something very very different from the one Bill is referencing. I was waaaayyy off on that, my mistake.

There's only one severe enough punishment for an error on this level ... I'll have to watch "From Justin to Kelly". Ugh.

[carlsson]

How confusing!

Tomy Tutor computer: http://oldcomputers.net/tomytutor.html
Tomy Tutor toy: http://www.computermuseum.li/Testpage/Tomy-Tutor-toy.htm

[jczr2]

it is the computer i have not the toy. I did an ebay search and couldn't find it, only the toy. My dad get it for me when i was 9 or ten, had alot of fun with it, and it has been sitting in my closet for years. i pulled it out to try it out and it seemed fine. Too bad there doesn't seem to be a market for it.

Thanks

[tezza]

The name certainly makes it sound like a toy, but I see it is an actual home computer. Interesting.

[bbcmicro]

I had a Tomy Tutor toy computer when I was small (Granted, not long ago)
I think the same thing came up whatever you pressed, and the red button reset it and the scroll changed what came up.

Bah, I can't remember.

[willowmoon93]

How confusing!

Tomy Tutor computer: http://oldcomputers.net/tomytutor.html
Tomy Tutor toy: http://www.computermuseum.li/Testpage/Tomy-Tutor-toy.htm

Well considering they look sooooooooo similar :p I have to laugh at myself for that one, didn't even think to check out if there was anything else that was similar in name only.

Not enough caffeine for the day. And it shows.

[DarthKur]

it is the computer i have not the toy. I did an ebay search and couldn't find it, only the toy. My dad get it for me when i was 9 or ten, had alot of fun with it, and it has been sitting in my closet for years. i pulled it out to try it out and it seemed fine. Too bad there doesn't seem to be a market for it.

Thanks

I might be interested depending on where you are located. I sent you a PM inquiring about specifics.

[Ksarul]

Here's a website with pretty much everything known about all of the different varieties of the TOMY Tutor:

http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/tomy/

It is run by Cameron Kaiser and has been out there improving its coverage of the Tutor for quite a few years now.

[Zeela]

Seems like a fun little oddball, that Tomy Tutor. I definitively will put it on my wanted list!

// Z

[tezza]

Here's a website with pretty much everything known about all of the different varieties of the TOMY Tutor:

http://www.floodgap.com/retrobits/tomy/

It is run by Cameron Kaiser and has been out there improving its coverage of the Tutor for quite a few years now.

Thanks for this website. It was an interesting read.

I always enjoy reading vintage computing sites which come at the topic from a personal perspective. With old computers, "the facts" can often be obtained from the likes of Wikipedia but it's the personal impact that interests me most about retro-computing.

[Terry Yager]

It has a pretty fair-sized cult following (mainly(?) in Japan), and, as Bill said, the value depends on the condition, accessories, and games/carts included, if any. It is pretty much a TI-99 with a different ROM and an even crappier keyboard (is that possible?). The firmware seems to be some kinda LOGO-alike program rather than BASIC, and unfortunately, although they look alike and plug alike, the TI carts are not compatible.
(I'm glad someone posted the retrobits site, it saved me the trouble of finding it again, and it really is the definitive source of info on it).
--T