Is a PCjr worth it?

[Tupin]

I have a fully expanded Tandy 1000, but I'm considering getting a PCjr that has a monitor and printer and software for $40. Is a PCjr worth it if you already have a Tandy 1000?

 

[barythrin]

Not sure what you're comparing. PCjr is an IBM, Tandy is a Tandy For $40 if it's working yeah I'd say it's worth it to play with, but if you're thinking of replacing the 1000 then no I would stick with the 1000. Mike was saying the incompatibility issues of the pcjr were over-hyped I don't know for sure as I didn't have much software to run on it in general.

 

[mbbrutman]

That's the PCjr on CraigsList no doubt .. for $40, I think it is a steal. It has most of the books and accessories, and has not been through too many owners.

 

[Unknown_K]

The Tandy 1000 is probably better for games. If you like the PCJr form factor and it is local, $40 isn't that much.

I have a couple Tandy 1000's (original and an HX) so I don't have the need for a PCJr, but if I found one locally and it was super cheap and complete I would snag it just to check it out. There is a price point where I would get a vintage computer I never used just to try it (mostly free and local), but over which I would not bother.

 

[phreakindee]

$40 for a complete system is a great deal, I paid about that much for mine. Oddly enough I just did a video review of the PCjr asking that very question of is it worth it: vid at youtube.com/user/phreakindee

Short answer: no.

Long answer: no, unless you're interested in those things that make it unique (cartridges, historical value, a few specific games or apps, IR keyboard, the cool look)

If you have a Tandy 1000 you're not going to get much you haven't already seen software-wise, and the Tandy will likely do a lot more anyways, for games especially. Compatibility with some PC and CGA software exists but it's not as bad as some make it.

The video goes into much more detail, but again for $40 for a whole system heck yeah.

 

[vwestlife]

I say if you can get a PCjr with the matching keyboard and monitor at a decent price like that, then yes, it's worth it. Otherwise you'll have a heck of a time finding or making the necessary adapter in order to use a standard CGA monitor (unless you just want to stick with the composite output), and a PCjr is virtually worthless without the matching keyboard. I know years and years ago some company (Keytronic?) did make an adapter box to let you connect a standard PC/XT keyboard (5-pin DIN), but good luck finding one!

 

[mbbrutman]

I think that they are fantastic little systems, but we've been through that before. You can search here for a few different threads on the merits of the PCjr.

And they are definitely not for the newbies or faint of heart. They require a little bit more knowledge than is required for owning a generic machine. But that is where the reward comes from.


PhreakIndee - saw your sound card history video got picked up by SlashDot a few days ago. Also recognized a few pictures in your video. I appreciate the shout out in the info section ....


Mike

 

[tezza]

If I saw one for sale in NZ here for a cheap price, I would probably go for it. It depends what you want.

My interest would be purely historic, in that it represented a well-known failure of IBM to make inroads in the home market (as has been discussed on this forum elsewhere).

Tez