Wow, I didn't realize that people were collecting old Apple computers. I sold my PB5300 a few years ago on eBay and I tossed my Macintosh LC. When I went to the recycling center to toss out the LC, I saw some G4 Macs (I think). The ones with the plastic looking white and blue cases. I should hang out at the recycling center this coming spring when they have the free computer "recycling" day and try to score some Macs and fix them up.
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Collecting Old Apple Computers
- Thread starter Aries326
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The blue and white Powermac would have been a G3. Still a very usable computer. Honestly, if it works I'd rather give it to someone who could use a computer than toss it out. I'd always keep an eye on our recycler's bin when I'd drive past to see if I could spot any Macs. Unfortunately, he quit recycling due to the prices on metal dropping so low.
Old Macs are still very desirable to some people, your LC would have been a nice machine although the best place for a 5300 is the bin. The B&W G3's are great machines, they are easy to work on and will still do the tasks today that many people use a computer for, i.e email, internet and word processing, infact I strongly suspect that most home users don't need much more power then a G3 500 Mhz running Tiger.
Recyclers are often great for picking up unwanted machines as is Freecycle but a word of warning, this is an addictive hobby
so make sure you have plenty of room for your conquests.
I'd also reccomend a visit to this site if you are interested in collecting.
Recyclers are often great for picking up unwanted machines as is Freecycle but a word of warning, this is an addictive hobby
so make sure you have plenty of room for your conquests.I'd also reccomend a visit to this site if you are interested in collecting.
GotMyOrangeCrus
macrumors regular
Yeas it is a G3 as I still own mine and its still in 100% working order. I have the Blue and White 350 Mhz G3. The only thing I use it for these days is to play some of the older games. I am a huge adventure game fan and the Monkey Island series is one of my favorite and unfortunetly MI4 only plays on OS9. I actually still have every Mac I have ever purcased and the funny thing is they all still work. I have never had a single problem with a Mac I have owned.
Currently my collection includes
Power Mac 8500
Power Mac 9500
Blue and White 350 Mhz G3
Dual 1 Ghz G4
Quad Core G5
Dual Quad Core Mac Pro.
15" MacBook Pro
I dont really collect Mac computers. I just dont sell my old computers.
I have many old macs (and some Apple IIs) from all eras. None of them cost me anything but they do consume a lot of space.
Being an Apple tech for over 20 years means I've accumulated a lot, but I just can't part with any of it (yes, I'm a little mad, but most of us devoted mactechs are - it helps!)
I still use a Snow slot load iMac G3 700Mhz which runs Apache, a squid proxy and associated apps on 10.3.9 and does so without consuming much more than 3% CPU so older machines can still be very useful (despite being unable to playback higher bit-rate video etc etc).
And I would suggest that the machines we "toss out" now because we think they're worthless as a collector's item, will be the rare beasts of tomorrow. Like the PowerBook 5300 & 190, PowerMac 5200 etc.
Just my 2c
Being an Apple tech for over 20 years means I've accumulated a lot, but I just can't part with any of it (yes, I'm a little mad, but most of us devoted mactechs are - it helps!)
I still use a Snow slot load iMac G3 700Mhz which runs Apache, a squid proxy and associated apps on 10.3.9 and does so without consuming much more than 3% CPU so older machines can still be very useful (despite being unable to playback higher bit-rate video etc etc).
And I would suggest that the machines we "toss out" now because we think they're worthless as a collector's item, will be the rare beasts of tomorrow. Like the PowerBook 5300 & 190, PowerMac 5200 etc.
Just my 2c
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I use my G4 Cube as a server (tiger server) i installed leopard server on it a couple of days ago, it was one big cat too many for the poor girl so relegated back down to tiger I still use all my macs (with maxed-out ram though)
so relegated back down to tiger I still use all my macs (with maxed-out ram though)GotMyOrangeCrus
macrumors regular
I use my G4 Cube as a server (tiger server) i installed leopard server on it a couple of days ago, it was one big cat too many for the poor girl
That is the one Mac I wanted but never purchased. I love the cube and still look on eBay for them when I am bored. I will purchase one some day!! In my opinion the design of some of Apple's computers make them collectors items. My favorites are definitely the cube and the round based iMac that has the monitor on the metal post that swivels. Then again the new iMacs are pretty damn impressive looking as well, especially the 24".
I wonder if any PC users keep thier ugly old computers. They probably toss them out with the garbage. I just cant get rid of my Mac's.
I won't throw out Macs, I have 11 in my house dating back to a Macintosh IIcx, only one that does not work. I always look for bargains in the paper, garage sales and flea markets. My goal is to fill my bar/family room with Macs and have them all operating. This will take some time as my kids are still home and use that room, but when they do leave, the room will under go a transformation.
The thing about Macs is, they are easy to work on, easy to maintain and people who come over always comment about them. That can't be said about old PCs, they are worthless in terms of dollars and not something that is fun to bring back to life. Besides, who wants to look at old Windows OS or even farther back, MS-DOS.
The thing about Macs is, they are easy to work on, easy to maintain and people who come over always comment about them. That can't be said about old PCs, they are worthless in terms of dollars and not something that is fun to bring back to life. Besides, who wants to look at old Windows OS or even farther back, MS-DOS.
MacTech68 is right about some of the machines becoming seriously collectable. The PB5300 because having one that works is a miracle and the Performa 5200 because everyone stuck in a 5400/6400 as soon as possible. The cube has held it's price extremely well because it looks fantastic. My money is on the Newtons becoming more and more desirable so I'm holding on to mine, and the 68K AIO's as there are less and less working examples, especially the 128k and 512K.
Well now I am curious about the ones taking up space in my basement storage. I have my original 512K that I had upgraded to a Ke (allowed use of 800K floppies), as well as the SE I bought 3 weeks before Apple announced the SE/30 for the same price. The 512 was mothballed shortly after getting the SE with a hard drive, but the SE spent it's latter years in FaxModem service. I haven't fired either up in ages and don't plan to as I would hate to cause an issue that could have been prevented by some technical prowess prior to applying line voltage to it.
I am in the mod of cleaning out the accumulated debris of a computer life, recently recycling numerous PCs in addition to a PB 165, PM8100/AV, and Performa 638(?), all models from the early to mid 90s. I still have an iMac DV slot loader that is nearing retirement and will soon face the same future unless someone wants to put out to pasture someplace.
Any suggestions on what to do with a 512Ke or an SE? Or my 10 year old iMac? And only reasonable suggestions that don't involve bodily orifices, please.
I am in the mod of cleaning out the accumulated debris of a computer life, recently recycling numerous PCs in addition to a PB 165, PM8100/AV, and Performa 638(?), all models from the early to mid 90s. I still have an iMac DV slot loader that is nearing retirement and will soon face the same future unless someone wants to put out to pasture someplace.
Any suggestions on what to do with a 512Ke or an SE? Or my 10 year old iMac? And only reasonable suggestions that don't involve bodily orifices, please.
A couple of years ago my mother in law enlisted my help in clearing out her space at the storage, and I came across an old Color Classic. I asked her, "Um, do you have plans for this little guy?" I was excited when she just let me have it outright!!
Sadly, she had sold the keyboard and mouse at a yard sale some years earlier. I wish I could pick up originals to go with it.
Sadly, she had sold the keyboard and mouse at a yard sale some years earlier. I wish I could pick up originals to go with it.
I used to collect older Macs a few years ago. I ran out of space (and money) but I still enjoy the ones I have.