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The South WTB - Bell & Howell "Darth Vader" Apple II
- Thread starter JSR
- Start date
Covers: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and West Viriginia.
orlandoave
Experienced Member
I have a good condition working one with the black floppy drive.
Awesome! Can you post some glamour shots of it here, taken from different angles, so I can get an idea of condition? Not to be picky, but I'm looking for one with glossy keys..that was always my favorite when I was a kid.
Also, what's your asking price for it?
VERAULT
Veteran Member
Glossy keys?!?! 
orlandoave
Experienced Member
Not sure as it is wrapped in a box for safe storage. I hadn't planned to sell it but if the price is good ....
It has the 16k Language card and Disk II controller card. Make me a starting offer and let me see if it is workable.
I can also include Applied Engineering memory card.
It has the 16k Language card and Disk II controller card. Make me a starting offer and let me see if it is workable.
I can also include Applied Engineering memory card.
Yes..?Glossy keys?!?!
Glossy keys. I enjoyed typing on Apple IIs that had glossy keys because they had a better tactile feel than the others.
I have Aspbergers. I'd imagine a good number of people on this forum do as well.. When I was a kid, I had some sensory issues which made me prefer this kind of keyboard over the other styles Apple IIs typically came in.
Even if I didn't, what's wrong with wanting some specifics about a nostalgia purchase?
Ok, cool! I don't mind some friendly haggling.
Price is really going to depend a LOT on condition... Ive learned Bell and Howells were notorious for having their cases etched with soldering irons due to grant requirements that the serial number of the motherboard match the at all times...finding one in pristine condition is rare.
Again, not expecting perfect here, but, maybe we could start at $700, but I'm willing to go higher depending upon condition, scratches, cracks, etc? I want to be fair and flexible.
Out of curiosity, I also have a few items I might be able to offer in trade... I have a black C64c with dual black 1571 drives, a bunch of miscellaneous expansion carts for it (SD2IEC, 64NIC+, ZoomFloppy, RS232 adapters, etc).
I also have a rare/early 1977 Sunnyvale "heavy sixer" Atari 2600 VCS, works fine, with joysticks, paddles and all I'm willing to trade.
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stepleton
Veteran Member
My guess is that the assumption behind the emoji is that that the keys you encountered were just worn down instead of glossy from the factory --- the laughter then is for your (apparent) mistake.
It sounds from what you've said that this is probably not the case, and that the keys really were made to be glossy.
VERAULT
Veteran Member
Yes I think they were glossy because they were worn out/down as most of the Apple II's we remember were in schools and well used.
HoJoPo
Veteran Member
The original Apple ][ keyboard with the raised power button has glossy key caps. These are the rarest and most expensive to find....
VERAULT
Veteran Member
Show me an apple II or II plus that DOESN'T have glossy keycaps..
HoJoPo
Veteran Member
My Apple II had a keyboard replacement and then wasn't used much afterwards, so the key caps are still textured and not super shiny. My Bell and Howell II plus doesn't have much wear on its keyboard either. I think what's been asked for is smooth keycaps, and the original keycaps were smooth and glossier than the later ones.
Caluser2000
Banned
Just ignor VEBAULT. He is just one of those argument types. Does it for no reason all other than be a jerk off. Most likely fell off the poop deck again after swilling to much port.
Good luck finding what you want.
Good luck finding what you want.
VERAULT
Veteran Member
Caluser2000 I have had enough of this. If you havent noticed I have been ignoring every bit of the baiting you have done towards me on every post I make. I have reported a claim against you since I see no other way of stopping your harrasment.
This is the only response I am making about this.
This is the only response I am making about this.
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VERAULT
Veteran Member
That was the Datanetics keyboard. There were only a few Apple II Pluses that had those keyboards from what I understand. I sold one recently, it was a nightmare finding replacing datanetic keyswitches, and even with replacements they are all due to fail with no, replacements in sight. The B&W was a II plus, so are you saying that it to may have had that datanetics keyboard (with the raised power light) as well?
snuci
Veteran Member
Verault, I have an eary Bell and Howell with a raised power light and a Datanetics keyboard here as an example: https://vintagecomputer.ca/early-bell-and-howell-apple-ii/ The power light may have been replaced although i have seen some like this with the square light.
VERAULT
Veteran Member
thanks snuci. My advice to Bpoag is to NOT seek out a datanetica keyboard as they arent that good and more importantly the inability to source replacement switches. And repairing them is nigh impossible.
Caluser2000
Banned
Thank you very much. I look forward to the moderators reponse.
Love the grant announcement btw. A simple PM would have been suffice.
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Caluser2000
Banned
I suspeect price negotiation in better done using personnal message. You need at least 10 posts up before a mod releases you from purgatory