Full S-100 chassis are actually pretty easy to find. I have an IMSAI,
and am planning on purchasing a Cromemco Z2-D, a Processor Tech SOL is
on the way, as is a NorthStar Horizon (an Advantage! too).
Tony
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sam Ismail [mailto:dastar_at_ncal.verio.com]
> Sent: Thursday, August 13, 1998 4:39 PM
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
> Subject: Re: Altair prices
>
>
> On Thu, 13 Aug 1998, D. Peschel wrote:
>
> > > I can't put my finger on exactly why, but I find myself extremely
> > > depressed by this. Does anyone know (personally) the
> fellow who put in
> > > the high bid? Will the Altair be something of inherent
> value to him,
> > > or is it simply an investment?
> >
> > It IS depressing, isn't it? I've been thinking about this
> aspect of computer
> > collecting for a while. Someone on alt.folklore.computers
> said that he had
> > verified the authenticity of an Apple I system (complete
> with original cover
> > letter receipt signed by Steve Jobs, etc.) just before it
> was shipped across
> > the country to a new buyer.
> >
> > I'm just too practical, I guess. I believe in collecting
> things to use them/
> > have fun with them, and the rarity of the Apple I is at
> odds with this goal.
> > I too have to wonder at the motives of the buyer of this Altair.
>
> If you're interested in actually playing with one, the
> schematics for the
> Apple 1 are readily available with a little searching. You can just
> re-create your own. In fact, I'd imagine you could make a pretty
> lucrative business making and selling Apple 1 reproductions
> (as well as
> other early classics).
>
> S-100 parts are readily available as well, and again there
> are schematics
> out there if you put a little work into searching them out.
> If you want
> to actually play with your own S-100 box, building the chassis, power
> supply and backplane is relatively easy. You would then need
> to search
> out just the CPU, I/O and RAM boards, which would be
> considerably easier
> than finding a complete S-100 system at this point (it would seem,
> although S-100 boxes can still be found if you're not simply
> lusting after
> an Altair or IMSAI).
>
> People make re-creations of old cars all the time, so the parallels of
> that hobby to this one should extend into that realm as well.
>
> Sam Alternate e-mail:
> dastar_at_siconic.com
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------------
> Ever onward.
>
> September 26 & 27...Vintage Computer Festival 2.0
> See http://www.siconic.com/vcf for details!
> [Last web site update: 08/09/98]
>
Received on Thu Aug 13 1998 - 16:16:15 BST