If you could save one computer (system) in your collection which would it be?

Paralleling the value of computers thread I always like bringing up this topic since now comes REAL value ;o)

Make believe situation (hopefully) something is happening and you're collection is about to be wiped out. You will only have time to run back in and save one system in your collection (for make believe sake you can carry all the accessories, etc attached to the system as well). Which system would you save and why?

My answer: Zenith Data Systems Z150 (8088). I can't think of any system I could ever own (despite money) including an Apple-1 or Lisa-1 that I would save before this system. Reason is simple, it's our families first computer (the real one, not just the same model) so it's the computer that got me started and there's no replacing that. Everything else in my collection isn't a first for me it's collectible maybe but it's someone elses story not mine.

Anyway, was curious how many similar answers I'd see as well as what system has the most sentimental value vs sale value to folks.

- John

I have been waiting for this thread for a LOOONG lime, but did not want to be the one to bring it up. I have given this A LOT of thought. My answer: My AT&T 6300. My original one I have used since I was 2, but it died. I then aquired another from orig. owner, and put in the BIOS of my original(which I still have, want to fix). It is the perfect early 80s machine. If something were to happen, and we all had to go back to BBS(by the way, I pray every day that scenario comes true, and we are all forced to BBS and other 80s goodies) this machine could dial up with incredible speed. It has a 2600BPs or so modem, dual 360K disk drives and a hard drive(external) as well as an external 1.44MB floppy drive, as well as all the manuals, disks I could need, and on top of that a top of the line Citizen MSP-15 printer. The 8MHz 8086 would blaze through the BBS, and downloads would be exceptional on it. Besides, even in modern times it sees as much use as my 2004 Dell. I use my 6300 for word processing, finances, stock/inventory, and many games I play. If I can get e-mail working on it, and get it to share files on my server, I will probably even dump my Dell into my closet, as I would have no need for it. I can always use my dad's PC for games :bigsmile:. Besides, it would beat up any Apple (1, II, or III) any day, and would probably paralize a Lisa(I/II) from the neck down. I even have confidence it would mutilate a Digital Venturis 575 with a 486 at 75MHz. Seriously guys, it is a computer by day, and a war machine by night.

--Ryan

BTW: The picture is an old one, but you err...get the picture
oh, and that is of my other AT&T BEFORE it died. But just imagine the description of what I gave you. I may update the pic later.

EDIT: I put in a NEW picture. Just click on the 2nd mention of the AT&T 6300, where I abbreviated it to just "6300"
Or just click the other "6300" link. LOL

This would be very hard to do, but I guess my mint Apple AWS95 server and accesories might top the list, or maybe my Amiga 3000.

I guess it depends on the day the world ends.

My innermost heart beats for the VIC-20, so logically it would be my choice even if I do own a handful computers more valuable than a VIC. But in the case the world is about to end, the least thing people hopefully would think about is to make money.

I'd need an appliance dolly for mine: A Nova 1200 with a 5/5 Phoenix drive, junction panel, MPT-100 intelligent console and Dasher TP-1 printer. Oh, and the software.

Well, sorry to be so practical, but it would be my MacBook Pro. It has important data on it, including my last eight years worth of photos (since I went digital,) including all the photos of my now three year old daughter.

But, realistically, the FIRST thing I would grab would be my external 1 TB hard drive, because it contains all of the photos, PLUS all my not-backed-up-online video footage. (Whenever our family will be out of town for more than two days, I put this hard drive in our fireproof safe.)

As much as I love my collection, the information on newer hardware is much more valuable to me than any of the actual hardware.

If we are talking about JUST the vintage collection, (say I had already saved the MacBook Pro and hard drive) it would be a tough call. The two machines I value the most personally are both broken, and the physical hardware doesn't hold any sentimental value (Mac SE/30 and Backlit Mac Portable,) so it would become a tough choice between my IBM PC Power Series that I spent many hours to get it to run OS/2 PPC Edition or my PowerBook 5300c, which was my first laptop back in college. (And the only machine I have that holds any real sentimental value, as it is the machine in my collection I have owned the longest, since it was actually a fairly 'modern' machine.)

Realistically, the one I'm typing on right now is the most important to me at this time, but assuming that it was already saved, I think that if the house were burning, I'd be burnt to a crisp in the computer room while still trying to decide.

--T

Assuming we're talking about vintage systems I'd probably grab the Kenbak-1.

I'd be torn, though, because I'd also want to grab the Mark-8, but the Kenbak is rarer.

Hi
I have about three or four that I just couldn't easily give up.
The Nicolet 1080 is the first.
Next would most likely be the Canon Cat.
After that the Poly 8813 and poly88s
Then one of the Olivetti M20s
I guess if the house were burning, I'd better
bring the Burb.
Really, this is like the childern question. If
one could only save one, which one would you
grab first. There is no answer to this type of question,
only pain.
Dwight

I would definately keep my trusty QLT/Inovion Futura 100 graphics system as its the bread and butter of our business to this day.

2nd would be my old tandy 1000 since it was my first

No question, I'd save one of my Tandy Model I systems and call the insurance company about the rest of it

It seems like nostalgia would win, and it would be the same for me. I'd have to save my Dick Smith System 80 (EACA Video Genie or PMC-80) as this was my very first micro, and has played a large part in my younger years.

They are also quite rare now.

It would have to be nostalgic and one that would be hard to replace. I would have to save my Heath/Zenith ET-100. This was my first computer and I bought it shortly after I got my AS degree in electronics.
They are really hard to come by these days. In the several years I have been scouring eBay for computers I don't think I have ever seen one listed that was shown to be working with output displayed on a monitor.

Now this is a toughie....

The Everex would already be out the door as I would have grabbed it, AC Adapter and all, on the first trip, as would my Fender Jag-Stang and Fender Jaguar, they'd already be locked in the car.

So the GEM would be the big one I'd save. There's always emulators, however, the lcd could go up in flames........

Basically, assuming I could grab all the hardware it'd be this.....

GEM 386/20 w/PIII Mobo
Apex Outlook Switch
OmniKey Keyboard
LaserJet 4L
Microspeed Trackball

I could just emulate everything else, and sell the switch to acquire new vintage hardware.and/or a new LCD

I changed my mind. It would have to be my Commodore B700X, because it be impossible to replace. Originally I answered Commodore 128, but the truth is, I could always replace that.

We are talking about, according to the guidelines, what is the most valuable to you, as evidenced by ones response to a fire in your abode. Since I live in a wood house over a 100 years old, it is indeed a constant fear. But I'll restrict rescue to a computer-centric list.

Massive documentation would be lost and any hard-drives containing stuff not on any Web archives. It's incomprehesible, apocolyptic. I would have to abandon so many treasures.
The DEC 350 and Rainbow 100+ and color monitor, the Amigas and 128s, the 3 issues of Scientific American with the "most influential computer articles iin history", all my extensive Commodore, CoCo, and Atari stuff, including my beloved Mega-4 and the monthly Atari ST mags and disks, at 3x$10 a pop eagerly awaited so many years ago with scarce $ in hand.
All British mags but more fulfilling at times than sex, which was more readily available.

But OOHHH as the flames licked around my head and before I suffered Terry's fate with indecision, I would grab my sometimes infuriating Dauphin DTR(desk top replacement) and accumulated accessories and cheat a bit by slipping my Atari Portfolio into my pocket.

Then if I was able to resist suicidal impulses. rent a room in a city and see if I could set up some sort of contact using a Web-cafe interface.


If some of you wish to rescue any of my collection including stuff of my massive IBM PS/2, Apple, or Mac items and other, including parts, contact me by PM.

Lawrence