Do you work with or collect old pre-PC computers?

[Reality]

I am curious if anyone here collects or works with old 8-bit and 16-bit computers?

#reality

 

[WoodysGirl]

I don't know much about computers pre-Windows 95. But I do have an old suitcase-type computer that has a floppy disk slot and needs a dot-matrix printer to print. Is that the kind you're asking about?

I haven't thrown it out because it has alot of school papers on it and I don't know how to retrieve them.

 

[Reality]

I don't know much about computers pre-Windows 95. But I do have an old suitcase-type computer that has a floppy disk slot and needs a dot-matrix printer to print. Is that the kind you're asking about?

I haven't thrown it out because it has alot of school papers on it and I don't know how to retrieve them.

That sounds more like a "luggable" computer. If so it was likely DOS or CPM based. Compaq made a widely popular PC/DOS luggable while Kaypro had a very popular CPM luggable.

I am really referring to older pre-PC computers like Atari, Commodore, Tandy, TI, etc. 8-bit or 16-bit computers.

#reality

 

[YosemiteSam]

I ditched all the old stuff long ago. Every time I move to a new location, I trash half of the stuff I own. The only thing that saves anything is if I've used it within the last 3 months. Old computer equipment just doesn't make the cut.

If I saved all old computer stuff. I would own at least 3 storage units. That just isn't going to happen. I hate clutter, even though I generally hold computer equipment for at least 2-3 years providing it isn't trashed / failed. (trashed meaning working dirty keyboards / mice, etc)

 

[arglebargle]

I used to buy old Atari hard drives at garage sales and the like, to give to a friend of mine who once paid $1000 for a 10MB hard drive for his 8 bit Atari. They made great door stops.

Personally started on an Apple 2e myself, but hardware has all gone out the door. I do occasionally find software or cartridges from the antique era, tucked away in boxes.

 

[Phoenix]

Had an old Commodore back in 83 - 85 or so that I used to dabble with programming on

 

[Wimbo]

No, but I really wish I had kept my Apple II+. I loved that computer.

 

[Phoenix]

Oh yeah. I also had a TRS-80 I think it was...WAAAAY back in 1979. HATED that thing. The OS had to be loaded from a tape drive, as in a cassette tape drive, that took seemingly forever, and had to be constantly adjusted so that the "volume" was within a certain range throughout the boot process. Frequently, the entire boot phase had to be completely restarted from scratch. And the games were just utter crap. I remember happily selling the POS for $400 after just three months of owning it.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Oh yeah. I also had a TRS-80 I think it was...WAAAAY back in 1979. HATED that thing. The OS had to be loaded from a tape drive, as in a cassette tape drive, that took seemingly forever, and had to be constantly adjusted so that the "volume" was within a certain range throughout the boot process. Frequently, the entire boot phase had to be completely restarted from scratch. And the games were just utter crap. I remember happily selling the POS for $400 after just three months of owning it.

We were light-years ahead of you. We loaded the OS for our TSR-80 from 8" floppies. :laugh2: