Osborne 1 prices (was: On Generations of People and Computers )

From: Kai Kaltenbach <kaikal_at_MICROSOFT.com>
Date: Mon Apr 21 20:45:00 1997

        | I'm just curious - have any of you (with the possible
exception of the
        | apple I) ever seen anyone selling these models at these prices
much less
        | purchased one for so much? Do any of these warrant such a
price for
        | you? $400 for an Apple II? $300 for an Osborne? I bought an
Apple II+
        | with 3 Disk IIs, color monitor, and box of accessories for $50
-
        | in 1988!

Well... here are my thoughts:

> > Here are some of the PCs attracting the attention of nostalgic
> > techies:
> >
> > Model: Apple I
> > Current value: $10,000-$12,000
>
Unverified, the only high-dollar example I know of is the Computer Bowl
auction unit. I know someone who actually has two Apple I's, and since
I actually have more than one Altair, I'm trying to talk him into our
becoming about the only two people with one of each. Wish me luck!

> > Model: Mark-8
> > Current value: $3,500-$4,000
>
Highly dubious, since I have never seen, and probably will never see,
one of these for sale. Heck, it wasn't even a genuine production
machine, it was mostly just instructions on how to build one from
scratch. Who knows what it would even look like? Every one was
different. Since most if not all of the period's TTL stuff is still
available, you could build something today and call it a Mark 8.

Most people looking for an Altair would say "A Mark what?"

> > Model: Scelbi 8H
> > Current value: $1,200-$1,500
>
Why this should be lower priced than the Mark-8 considering that it came
out earlier ('73 vs. '74, according to Byte), is beyond me. The same
comment as for the Mark-8 applies. The Mark-8 and Scelbi are sort of
like the guy who almost got credit for inventing the telephone. It's
doubtful that history will ever be rewritten sufficiently for there to
be a significant interest in these machines. Not that _I_ wouldn't buy
one, mind you... not for these dollars of course, but for a goodly sum.
>
> > Model: Altair 8800
> > Current value: $1,200-$1,500
>
This might actually be a bit low, considering the amount of 'Altair
Fever' around today. You should see the number of 'Altair Wanted' posts
on various sections of Usenet. Geez!

Is it worth it? I'd say, sure it is! My dad's '57 fuelie 'Vette is
just as primitive by today's standards, but just like the Altair, it
looks fantastic and it's a piece of history. It darn well deserves its
more-than-a-new-one price tag. Of course, my dad restored it himself,
since he always wanted one when he was a kid... sure sounds like his
son's relationship with antique computers!
>
> > Model: Imsai 8080
> > Current value: $400-$600
>
This is accurate, perhaps a bit low as well. They're pretty rare (one
less in circulation as of this weekend - thanks Tim!)
>
> > Model: Apple II
> > Current value: $200-$400
>
Well, we all know this is a joke. The highest price I've seen for a
plain // is about $60. I'd probably pay $200+ for a pristine one in the
original box with manuals, etc. but I don't think that's what they mean.

Of course, I haven't been able to find a nice one myself, so...

> > Model: Osborne I
> > Current value: $200-$300
>
Tough call. It's reasonably, but certainly not vanishingly, rare (I've
owned three at various times) and I'm sure there are folks in the world
that would pay this, but I generally see them going for around $100, and
more like $15 at swap meets or thrift stores.

Kai
Received on Mon Apr 21 1997 - 20:45:00 BST