DEC

From: Chuck McManis <cmcmanis_at_mcmanis.com>
Date: Tue Oct 19 16:49:41 1999

At 06:47 PM 10/19/99 +0001, Hans wrote:
>Well, I don't like to push anyone, but I still need some hints
>what a working PDP 8f is worth, or until which amount it isn't
>a compleete rip off. AFAIK at least two disk, fro 8" floppy and
>one tape drive is included (no idea about the types, since I'm
>no DEC-o-maniac at all). The machine is still in use, but may
>be replaced at any moment (replacement PC already set up).

Can't know without knowing the peripherals. Generally $500 for a working
Omnibus '8 is a "fair" price. The E-bay price is a bit higher than that :-)
One that has a working DECTape drive (the smallish spools of tape that
whoosh back and forth) is easily worth $1,000 in pretty much any market.
(those DECTapes are _hard_ to find). If it comes with the DEC LT33
(Teletype ASR-33 modified by DEC) then it is worth and extra $300 or so.
Now having said all that, here is the caveats:

1) The 8/F and 8/M were by far the most common OMNIBUS '8s so come out at
the low end of the scale (8/Es are more valuable and earlier 8's like the
/I, and /L are better still.)

2) If the think doesn't have the programmers front panel it will be worth
significantly _less_ since the blinkenlights are the "cool" part.

3) If it has been beat up to the point where it can't be restored, then
that would be cause for a de-rating of the value as well.

4) If it has non-DEC stuff in it (like the memory is all 3rd party non-DEC
MOS RAM) then that would negatively affect the price.

(My opinion of course ... YMMV)
--Chuck
Received on Tue Oct 19 1999 - 16:49:41 BST