Uncreative Labs

Guest

Commodore 64 - Poor quality, chips (especially SID chips) are often dead or die during use. I have two C64s with no sound, and a dead 1541 drive. Since the chips are so hard to find now I've decided this is not a good system to try and collect.

TI-99/4A - They seem to be much more reliable than the C64. I have two, a beige model and the original silver. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of software though, mostly pre-schoolish educational titles. The graphics are pretty bad too.

Atari 800 - The original, not the stripped down XL and XE versions. This is the one I really want right now, even though I don't have one or even a single program for one. I love the style of the old cartridges, and the games are great. There are literally tons of option for expansion and plenty of software. Not to mention that it's an Atari. This is probably my classic system of choice.

There are lot's of other systems I haven't mentioned of course, like the Amiga and Apple line of computers. I should mention that by classic I'm thinking of pre-IBM PC systems. I'm curious to hear other people's opinions. Smile

Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 594 Location: Western NC

You probably need to clarify your term "best classic system to collect". While all the ones you mention have their good points, if you're looking for something valuable, then think along the lines of Altair, IMSAI, or anything along the 1974-1976 timeline. Seems like collectors are willing to pay a high price for anything with a lot of switches and LED's or with a S-100 bus...

Guest

Ok, I didn't really mean collecting for their value. I was thinking of systems that are fun to collect because peripherals and software are easy to find for them, they're reliable so they are more than just door stops, and they are fun to use because they have great games and programs. Something you can use every day rather than just an expensive museum piece to put on a shelf as something to look at like an Altair.

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:27 am

Apple Newton. They're reliable enough to still be used everyday by their owners, have plenty of software (http://www.unna.org) and hardware innovations are common for an older system.

Great little PDAs. With a keyboard they'd be a full minature computer. Hard to beat the HWR on the 2000s and 2100s.

Joined: 20 Nov 2004 Posts: 589 Location: Shandong, China

I think Apple computers would be pretty nice to collect. Hmm....if I could have an apple Collection I'd have....a ][e, a ][GS, a Fat Mac, a Mac Classic, a IIcx, and some sort of 60x or Beige G3 PCI based machine.

Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2005 8:32 pm

Don't forget NeXT

Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 169 Location: behind you!

I'll always suggest the c64. or the amiga is also nice Very Happy

Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 169 Location: behind you!

Anonymous Coward wrote:

I think Apple computers would be pretty nice to collect. Hmm....if I could have an apple Collection I'd have....a ][e, a ][GS, a Fat Mac, a Mac Classic, a IIcx, and some sort of 60x or Beige G3 PCI based machine.

hey I have all those but the g3 mac (although I do have a blue g3 imac)