Lineage, Sex, Prime, and Demand
I like the question, and I have four reasons why I think people like me collect Macs.
THE LINEAGE
Part of the collectibility of Macs is, and will be so long as Apple exists selling computers, the profound and unbroken thread of history that runs from now back to the 70's. All other computer makers are gone, all other threads broken. But not this one. That's key as it adds value to the product in it's own way. Some other makes, like IBM's 5150 or the TRS-80's are collectible but without the ability to trace a lineage to today. Some here have noted how this contributes powerfully to the story of home computing, and to own one of those is to be part of the story. It has to do with the "institution" that Apple is, and that the others are not and you buy into that institution when you buy a Mac. We want to be a part of the important story.
THE SEX
The engineering and ingenuity present in (most of) their machines makes them timelessly elegant. Some folks have alluded to that in this forum, the elegance and "sexiness" that is resident in so many Apple products. I swear some Apple engineers simply look at the curves of a womans body and built those calculations into their equipment. Look at the curve on the new Magic Mouse ...perfect. Then look at the arc on the Microsoft Arc mouse...that thing looks like a wart growing on a mousepad. The Quicksilver will one day be a highly collectible item, as will the pretty plexi monitors fashioned like them. Always keep the original box when you buy a Mac product, as we are in the days of eBay and your product will always be worth more with the box and packaging when you sell. Those PC-like computer boxes in the inter-Jobs era will likely be less valuable. I also predict the Magic Mouse, new and in its original crystal case, will one day be a sought after collectible.
THE PRIME
Aside from so often being the first out of the gate with their new ideas for products (like a mouse with a touch sensitive pad on it) there is always a "first version" of any Mac you have, or anything Apple for that matter, and those, by definition, become collectible over time as it does for almost anything that has a "prime" version...vehicles, coins, stamps, computers, iPods, iPhones...doesn't matter. I have a first gen iPod touch, never touched, still in its wrapper and box and it's just sitting, waiting to be desired. I'm considering buying a Magic Mouse and parking it in the back of the closet.
THE DEMAND
Finally, they are sought after because other people are seeking them. There is demand among those who want to possess them, and that elevates them to the status of "collectible". You may collect Acer laptops, but if you are the only one, then they can't be defined as "collectibles".
My two cents anyway.
The look of them are nicer than todays PCS.
