IBM PC 5150 fun

[fmahnke]

I recently started rekindling my interest in '80s/'90s PCs. A few days ago, I decided to look around for 5150 schematics. I was pleased to find the 5150 technical reference at minuszerodegrees.net, and even more pleased to find a complete set of logic diagrams in there. I spent much of the day today studying them. So far, so logical.

I've never owned a 5150/PC/XT or clone. My first computer was a 286 AT clone. I'm thinking of buying an 8088 machine, or even building an Xi 8088. I think there's a lot of enjoyment to be had with one.

 

[Andrettigto]

Impressive that in such a short time period you’re ready and able to build an ‘8088 from scratch.

 

[Jimmc]

I worked for IBM when the first IBM PC was an announced and I ordered it right away and got one of the first shipments. I still have it along with the publications, ordering info, packaging, and games. I am considering selling it but don't how to do it, except for ebay. Any suggestions?

 

[fmahnke]

Since I'm interested in buying one, would you consider selling it to me? Send me a private message and we could go from there?

 

[Jimmc]

Yes I would be interested in selling it but I am not sure what a fair price might be. Sorry I am not familiar with how to do a private message from within a forum.

 

[dhau]

Sell it on ebay, sell it as-is, so people don't give you "not as described". I'm sure you'll get much more then whatever "private offers".

 

[fmahnke]

Well, if I were to make an offer, I don't think I'd make a lowball one. And even if I didn't make an offer, I would think a lot of other people on this forum would appreciate the value of this hardware, too. Besides, if Jimmc sells it on eBay, eBay takes around ~12% of the selling price.

But I also don't have enough experience to establish a fair price, @Jimmc. Would that be something other members of this forum could help us with? Maybe you could post photos of everything you have in this thread and others could help us figure out the value?

And mods, would we be breaking any rules by doing this? I don't see anything against it in the rules.

 

[Jimmc]

Thanks for the advice. Do you have any suggestions about selling software, publications and hardware separately or is it better as a whole package?

 

[VeryVon]

And mods, would we be breaking any rules by doing this? I don't see anything against it in the rules.

I believe you're fine to discuss this. If you decide to take the sale "public" then please post it in the "For Sale or Trade" area. There's also a sticky thread at the top that provides some boilerplate guidelines to the seller.

 

[Jimmc]

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I will put together a series of pictures including software, hardware, publications, and some memorabilia that people might enjoy seeing like the employee price list from 1981.

 

[Jimmc]

Attached are a few pictures of some of the HW, SW, etc. that I would like to sell.

 

[jafir]

Oh nice it’s got a 5161 too!

 

[Jimmc]

I replaced my single sided floppy disk with a doubled sided one but I still have the single sided drive.

 

[Jimmc]

Below is more of my IBM PC collection.

 

[Lutiana]

@Jimmc Where are you located?

Fair market value is a tricky one, even if you are familiar with these things, but I could see that entire set up going for around $500 or $600, especially given that it's in good condition, complete and has all the original boxes. Ebay prices are hard to go by, as some people on there are trying to sell 5150s for insane amounts of money, but few are worth the asking price (dirty, broken ones, being listed for thousands).

If @fmahnke does not take it, then let's talk, I'd consider buying it from you.

 

[Jimmc]

I am not in a rush to sell my collection. Since I am the original owner and have a complete set of the first set of hardware, SW, publications and packaging, I was hoping to find a collector that would find this valuable. I really appreciate your interest.

I live in the Hudson Valley near Poughkeepsie, so it would save a lot of shipping costs if I can be pickup here or I can deliver it. I also thought about the Vintage Computer gathering in New Jersey. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[fmahnke]

I would think this forum is a great way to find that buyer you're looking for. I'd suggest you follow @VeryVon 's suggestion and make a new post with the intent to sell in the "For Sale or Trade" area. You can re-post all the info and photos there, and there'll be more buyers/sellers in that part of the forum. It's a great looking machine.

 

[Jimmc]

Thanks for the suggestions. As you can tell I am very new at this.