Cool Apple finds...

I originally posted something about this on the Mac-collector forum, but I have an updated version that I wanted to post here.

So one of my teachers found out that I collect old Macs and told me that he had some old Macs in his classroom, which had been left by a former teacher a couple years prior. I went to the back room, opened the cabinet, and was pleased with what I saw! There were two Macintosh Classic II computers, a Macintosh LC, an Apple Design keyboard on its box, two original ADB mice, and one Apple Keyboard II w/ADB cable. He said that he has to clear it up with the school before he gives them to be, so I currently am patiently waiting....

However, I did have some free time today (and needed to use one of the Macs as a prop for a photo shoot), so I took them out and tested them/took pictures. Both Macintosh Classic IIs, not surprisingly, have leaky caps or something; they didn't boot, however both of the Classics' HDs spun up, which is good. As for the LC, it sadly didn't turn on at all... I am guessing its power supply is shot. Still, it would be my first LC and makes a good ornament anyway. As for the Apple Design keyboard, it's some European version, but in addition to having common keys that European keyboards have, it has some other funky ones that I have never seen before. Anyone know what language this is for? I see a 'u' key with an accent. I didn't take pictures of the Classic II Macs today, but I had before, so I will post those. I'm excited for these! The Classic IIs are very white; the LC has some yellowing. The Apple Keyboard II is yellowed some, but has very little wear on its keys. As for the Design keyboard, it feels VERY different from the one I already have. In fact, the keys are WAY too fluid. They don't feel like they are pressing down. In fact, if I closed my eyes and pressed a key, I bet it would feel like I was just flexing a piece of plastic. It's no wonder this keyboard seems to have barely been used, besides its foreign layout. Maybe this was a shipping mistake xD.

Here are the Classic II Macs

Pictures of the two Macintosh Classic II computers. (revisions with the speaker holes on the sides)

Ih8reno said:

very cool find. The keyboard is a French one by the way.

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Yeah, I was thinking it would be something of that sort. I didn't see a Euro key anywhere, but I had forgotten that France didn't use the Euro back then xD.

eyoungren said:

I did some of my graphic design classwork on an LC in college in 1993.

Let's just say there was a reason Apple labeled them LC (Low Cost). I was not and am still not a fan of this model of Mac. In fact, I hate them.

That said, everything else you took pics of is cool. You'll have a nice haul once it's cleared with the school. The Classic IIs alone are awesome.

Hope the school lets you have it all!

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Yeah, I'm aware that LCs were pretty cruddy systems and meant for new users, much like Mac Minis. (although the only bad Mac Mini is the new one that just came out). However, the pizza box design is pretty cool, and it's amazing to think that every one of the system's components is held in without a single screw.

Anyway, thanks for the well-wishing. My teacher is all for giving them to me, but he says they need to be decommissioned. Hopefully that happens soon; it WOULD be a great haul. I currently have an original Macintosh Classic II, which I got from e-waste several months ago. It would be cool having three of them! Both Classics, as I mentioned, most likely have leaky caps, so I will probably use the 'dishwasher method' for both.

bunnspecial said:

Looks like a couple of very nice finds.

I'm not a fan of the Appledesign keyboard, but that one is exceptionally nice and the original box is a bonus. The French layout is interesting too. I was in France for a couple of weeks in 2005, and can remember sending a couple of emaisl on one of the hotel's computers. The key layout made sending an email a real chore, as I had to either hunt and peck or carefully proofread.

Since WiFi is now a lot more prominent, the next time I travel internationally(not something I do regularly) I'm definitely traveling with my own laptop

EDIT:

Just realized that your keyboard is QWERTY, and not the international layout I remember using in France. So, I'm not sure exactly what it is.

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Yeah, the Design keyboard sucks, but it's still a good find. In fact, this one types HORRIBLY. The keys are stiff in a spongey way. I don't know what's up with it, but it's the worst case I have seen with a keyboard. The membrane feels as if it's stiff rubber that has to firmly be pressed down, and doesn't REALLY push down like on a normal plunger keyboard. My own Design keyboard is fine though.

As for QWERTY, there are many countries that use it. Someone suggested that this might be French Canadian... I don't know, but it seems like it was a mistake or something. xD I am not sure why my school would have wanted this.

Good idea to bring our own laptop xD I love traveling with my iBook G4, as it's the perfect computing companion, and I have less worry about bringing it vs. bringing my MacBook Pro.