Top 10 Collectable Retro Computers

This is my video on the Top Ten Collectable Computers that you can afford right now. If you want to get into collecting retro computers, then this is a must see video.
Collecting vintage computers is a fantastic and rewarding hobby and there is a huge cult following and amazing resources available.
#RetroComputing
#RetroCompute
#RetroGaming

[@ctrlaltrees]

Great selection of machines and totally agreed with your choice for number 1 despite the fact I don't own one!

[@proxxima038]

Fun to see that other people are collecting the stuff which I don't collect. I had several of the machines from the list, but kept none of them. Sometimes these are just fun to have for a while, but then I'm happy to give it to someone else to have fun with it... Can't keep them all...

[@zetaconvex1987]

No Amiga? I was convinced you were going to put it number 1.

[@stefanweilhartner4415]

while it is a crazy good machine and i still own my a500 that i expanded a lot, i think it is way too common as a collectible. however, the first amiga, the A1000 would be my favorite to collect. it had a cool design where you could slide the keyboard underneath it.

[@akfreed6949]

Even more rare is the ATARI FALCON 1040 ST . It's the best and last upgrade of the ST line . It's the first personal computer with a CD quality digital sound chip .

[@billbaud]

I must admit I’d not heard about the Falcon!

[@akfreed6949]

@@billbaud look at the falcon demos .best sound and improved video

[@BertGrink]

@@billbaud The Falcon was powered by the Motorola MC68030, which was quite powerful in its day.

[@Jonsson474]

Coming from Scandinavia we actually, for a period in the early 80s, had some Australian computers in school. Both the Microbee 32 and the 128. Those together with the ABC 80 and ABC 800 are on my top list.

[@billbaud]

Wow, I did not know that. Thanks for sharing.

[@texmex3343]

The VZ200 in France was the Vtech Laser 310 model and I also had the Vtech Laser 128 which was a clone of the Apple IIC.

[@roxyknight4909]

Casio PB-100 was my first computer

[@billbaud]

Nice. I had hours of fun with my little PB-100 and I still have it.

[@annieworroll4373]

I've got a Model 100 directly to my right. It was the first time anyone got the balance between portability and capability right for average users. The larger screen that clamshell laptops could offer did rightly pull them ahead not long after, but the Model 100 I think did set a benchmark for how capable a portable really needed to be when compared to a contemporary desktop, and how portable it needed to be. And the operating time on 4 AA batteries which you could get anywhere kept it relevant against much more capable portables for years afterwards. Clamshells have only approached the 20h runtime you could see on a Model 100 in the last few years. I love mine. Affordable, historically significant, and just plain fun(at least if you're a nerd)

[@billbaud]

That is awesome. I need to dig mine out again and have a play.

[@marymarshall8847]

Great video .The first computer I got for was was a VZ200 with cassette recorder wish i still had it

[@billbaud]

Thanks. I worked at Dick Smiths during the VZ200 era and people loved them.

[@ps2channel25]

Agree that Win9x laptops are becoming sought after. I am also a big IBM fan and have a number of ThinkPads. Just an additional point to mention is that IBM driver support was second to none and because they sold a lot to companies who were often saddled with outdated software, even some machines that weren't preloaded with Win98 have fully supported drivers to install it. Machines from early 2000s up to the T42 (despite being preloaded with WinXP) runs Win98 with full support (audio, video and even WiFi!) and they are still cheap and available. A real top tip at the moment....

[@regisdumoulin]

If you want a computer cheap to buy that nobody will have heard off, look for a Thomson MO5... while fairly common and cheap to buy in France, they are virtually unknown everywhere else.

[@deathstrike]

I own an Apple IIc and honestly? It is an excellent classic computer that is well worth it!! The only real problems you might encounter is that crappy "oxidizing" of the case and keys. There are techniques to address it all over the net. The next is the internal floppy drive. It is sadly a pain to work on, but many common drive belts and other parts do exist. And you can also hook up an external floppy or even an SD adapter if you really don't want to mess with it. Finally if you are hung on the matching monitor, they are VERY hard to find as not many wanted it. I got a broken one I'm considering taking out the CRT and fitting a color flatscreen in the case. Highly recommended for a collectible.

[@HummelJaeger]

A few years ago I threw out my Apple IIC monitor. I should have kept it, of course! :-/

[@lucahitman]

only a few years ago I discovered the existence of the "Sam Coupè" (it a sort of "super" zx spectrum), it is really a rare piece of hardware that I would like to have

[@BertGrink]

Yeah, the Sam Coupé is one of my personal _"Holy Grail"_ computers that I can only dream of, but will probably never own myself. A few of my other _"Holy Grail"_ machines are: The Apple IIGS, the Tatung Einstein, the Atari Falcon 030, and the BBC Master 128. Among calculators, the Hewlett-Packard HP 41CX is also one I would "kill" to own - figuratively speaking, of course.

[@uni-byte]

The likelihood of getting a Dick Smith outside of Oz is limited. Expect to pay another $100 shipping to NA. I think your list is pretty good. I have the TI-99/4A and the Apple IIC, both which I bought last year and both I got for a fraction of what your estimates were, but I realize I got lucky on both of them. Especially the TI which I got for $25. I would like to have seen a Tandy/Radio Shack item in there. A COCO of some sort would fit right in with your range, are very capable machines, and can still be had for reasonable prices.

[@brandong.1857]

I loved the old keyboards with the graphic characters mapped on ther keyboard, even non-programmers like me could make pretty pictures on the screeN

[@naderhumood1199]

All are Great machines.Thanks v much Sir.

[@QuaaludeCharlie]

There are so many others to pick from , You are Down Under so I Can Say it is a Great Top 10 List , Here in the States we Have a Wider selection also , There are Osborne Ones in Our Second Hand Shops . We Lack a Lot of Dragon and Zed from the UK , But we Have Tandy , Vic 20 , Commodore 64 etc , It's nice to be in America :) QC

[@bryndaldwyre3099]

The Dick Smith Wizzard was my first computer and it was awesome!. I had the Cassette tape and the rubber membrane keyboard and a few games plus the basic cart. I didn't have an Apple //c but I did have the Laser 128 and worked my bum off to get it along with a 1200 baud netcomm modem. Never had any issues with Apple software and games working on it either. It was my third computer as the Dick Smith Cat was my second. I really miss my Laser 128. It was an awesome little machine.

[@billbaud]

Awesome. The Wizzard was my first computer as well. I never had an Apple IIc up until recently, but had an Apple II clone in the 80s.

[@cessnaace]

I used to have an IBM 5150 and an Apple III. My Apple III had been expanded to 512 KB of RAM. Over $7,000 in early 80s money. I also had an additional double-density floppy drive. Sadly it suffered water damage several years later and so I threw it out. I'd probably be highly collectable now. The only retro computer that I still own is a Commodore 64 (with original box) w/two floppy disk drives, a 1541 and a 1541-II. I also have the color CRT monitor for it. I still need a Datasette (cassette tape) drive though.

[@billbaud]

People love restoring and showing off the 5150s - very collectable as you say. The Commodore 64 sure has a cult following and a mega community.

[@jimfreakindandy]

Not sure where you're looking for the 520st, but they can found on ebay for under £100 in the uk

[@billbaud]

Just looked on eBay Australia, but none available at the moment. If I could get one for less than £100 (equivalent) here I would buy one tomorrow. Are you a fan of the 520st?

[@jimfreakindandy]

@@billbaud yeah, I have one I got here on ebay UK for about £40. There's a lot of them here going cheap. I also have an 800XL which was my very first computer. I love old Atari comps. You could get one off ebay UK and ship it to Aus fairly cheap I would think

[@OzRetrocomp]

Australian retrocomputer prices are insane, although I was able to pick up my Atari 520ST (retroactively upgraded to 1040ST spec) with an aftermarket mouse and an SM124 monitor for AUD$200 (about £100). That said, it's not exactly a mint example ... but I like how it as a more "lived in" look ... so much so that I'm unlikely to retrobrite it, despite the significant yellowing. That said, I have imported computers from the UK. Shipping is horrendously expensive, but there are some machines that are abundant over there that are very thin on the ground down under e.g. ZX Spectrum. Whilst I was fortunate to buy my Speccy locally, there are sellers wanting upwards of £30 just for shipping. For something like a BBC Model B, ST or Archimedes, expect shipping to be more like £60 from the UK to Oz.

[@GarryGri]

@@jimfreakindandy I got my 800XL and disk drive stolen years ago, I've thought about replacing it, as I still have some of the disk I wrote some of my first basic games on as a teenager and I'd like to see how bad they really were! Unfortunately the 800XL and disk drive are quite expensive in the UK now.

[@jimfreakindandy]

@@GarryGri there's one on ebay right now for pretty cheap and I might have a spare one

[@MrEd-qg8td]

TRS-80 Model 1 would be my choice for #1 Mainly cause I am not a big fan of Apple products.

[@bjbell52]

Something to mention about the Atari ST. If you get one with a monochrome monitor you can turn it into an Apple Macintosh by using a cartridge and a small program. I did it with mine.

[@rw-xf4cb]

I had a TI-99/4A before flogging it off for the discounted C64 in early 90s. Their expansion drive/box was expensive but they were selling them for around $100 or so in late 1980s the killer app for the 4A was Parsec!

[@vanhetgoor]

I have only two computers from your list. Well, sort of: I have the Schneider CPC464 and the Vtech Laser 300, both are just other names on the same computers.

[@JasonOakley]

YEAH! VZ200! I still write games for it these days :)

[@billbaud]

They are an awesome little machine.

[@MarkDale]

Can't Believe that the Amiga 1000 isn't on the list or maybe they're not affordable anymore. I bet "Jay Glenn Miner" ( Father of the Amiga) is turning in his Grave ....😢 but very interesting all the same.....

[@billbaud]

Thanks for the comments. Yes, tricky stuff attempting to pick only ten of such a broad range of amazing computers. Not many Amiga 1000s in my neck of the woods, and even the Amiga 500 is going for a premium now.

[@TEchWIse2203]

Nice vid

[@timsmith2525]

I've suffered enough mental anguish from Windows 95 and Windows 98, back in the day. Why would I want to run either as a hobby? Not collectible at all!

[@billbaud]

Ha, yes. I think you’ve just proven that collectibility is in the eye of the beholder.

[@BertGrink]

Well, to reverse an old saying: One man's gold is another man's trash, right?

[@OzRetrocomp]

A solid list ... but please don't talk the prices up so much! I've only got two of those in my collection so far. 😁

[@billbaud]

Ha, yes. I had the same dilemma. Which two do you have?

[@OzRetrocomp]

@@billbaud Atari 520ST and Speccy. I almost bought a IIc earlier this year, but I bought a Mac Plus instead ... although I'd jump on a IIc, IIe or IIgs if one crossed my path at the right time for the right price...

[@billbaud]

OzRetrocomp A Spectrum is definitely on my list of wants.

[@OzRetrocomp]

Update: I've now added a TI99/4a to the collection. I probably won't do anything with it other than look at it, because it's beautiful.

[@redlinechaser7942]

I just bought a Commodore 64. Too awesome for this list?

[@billbaud]

Congratulations on your purchase. And I think you should check out my other list. 🤓

[@Ingens_Scherz]

I still have my 1988 A500. It's in the attic (I think). My A1200, however, which I bought new when launched in 1992, and used for all my university coursework, was stolen out of the back of my car in London in 1995 (I'd left it in there in its box because I'd moved to PCs by then - because I'm a traitor. And stupid). I was much more apoplectic about losing the computer - and all that work on the hard drive (which was not backed-up, naturally) - than the smashed window of my lovely 1984 Peugeot 205. If I ever catch the little fucker who stole it, I'll... No, I won't "get over it and move on". Never!

[@billbaud]

That is a tragic tale! Mine is probably losing my Osborne One. Yes, the world’s bulkiest luggable computer and I can’t remember where I left it.

[@Ingens_Scherz]

@@billbaud It's the guilt I can't get over: having such a devil-may-care attitude to a thing that I genuinely loved, but just neglected. Someone kidnapping your beloved dog is not quite an analogue, but not that far off either. Maybe it's lingering victim trauma or just general weirdness, but I still dream about that computer from time to time. So I am sorry you lost your (gigantic and somewhat-hard-to-misplace-youwouldhavethought) Osborne One. I do get it.

[@ThBreadMan]

I'm looking for a small old cheap portable computer for writing and taking notes for school what would you suggest?

[@BertGrink]

Maybe have a look at the Cambridge Computing Z88? It was devised by Sir Clive Sinclair after he had sold off Sinclair Research Ltd. to Alan Sugar's Amstrad company, which continued to make and sell Sinclair ZX Spectrum-branded 8-bit computers from 1986 until 1989 or thereabout.

[@lovemadeinjapan]

Powerbook G4 12 inch. You can find these for less than 50 bucks with working battery.

[@Presidenti69]

You subbed to me so I wanted to say thanks.

[@rw-xf4cb]

Come on man what about the MicroBee thats got to be up there - its also an Aussie one.

[@ZXSpectrum128K]

Sam coupé?

[@lovemadeinjapan]

I would not swap "collectible" with "investment". I get the idea you see vintage computers as limited edition sealed LEGO sets. DON'T!. Go after machines that are fun to use, and hold well over time. And even if it was for investment, the last 2 are already too much worth to bother about. I saw one machine that it fun to use: the CPC 464. And you price estimate is totally off, so you can actually have the fun at a lower entry fee.

[@billbaud]

Thanks LoveMade. I did try to caveat the price points with a bit of a disclaimer. I also open all my Lego sets so I would not listen to me either. 😀

[@lovemadeinjapan]

@@billbaud Just found myself a cheap Olivetti M10, the better looking Radio Shack TRS Model 100. Totally awesome!

[@nickolasgaspar9660]

From the aspect of rarity, sure, from the aspect of importance...a top ten list without any of Jay Miner's machines lacks historical value.

[@billbaud]

Thanks Nickolas. You may be interested in another of my top ten videos which might capture just that. And there is more to come.

[@nickolasgaspar9660]

@@billbaud Happy new year. KZbin is broken but even with a delay I managed to read your comment. Thanks for the heads up.

[@jm131719]

IMHO: You missed the Commodore SX-64. A 10 kg "laptop"...

[@Phonehomefool]

Dragon 32 for the gold

[@ibisum]

Oric Atmos!

[@billbaud]

Thanks Jay. I had to look that one up!

[@OzRetrocomp]

I'm not even sure if the Atmos was released in Australia. I know it was released in NZ, but I can't find any references to it in any Australian publications of the day. That said, the Atmos is arguably one of the most handsome 8-bit machines. I'd have one just to put on display.

[@ibisum]

@@OzRetrocomp I had the luck to personally know the distributor in those days .. alas they folded before the Atmos was available for shipping ...

[@OzRetrocomp]

@@ibisum ctrl-alt-rees has just released a video about his Atmos ... which happens to be the very same Atmos that was used as a prop in The IT Crowd. :O kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnevkGpofdWJrc0 Thanks for the background info, too. I did wonder if the Atmos was even considered for an Australian release, particularly in light of how relatively poorly both the ZX Spectrum and Acorn Electron sold down here.

[@sebastiansmith41]

Oi, the BBC model B by acorn.

[@umlaut8320]

5:37 I have One, but the b key doesn't work

[@billbaud]

Hi do you mean the ZX Spectrum, or the IBM Thinkpad?

[@erikl5340]

Commodore 64C or 64G

[@arfanmedni7294]

Z88 unofficial zx Sinclair, made by Clive Sinclair? Apple II GS? Also Steve Jobs Next computers???

[@billbaud]

Yes, all very collectable. I’m working on my next “collectables” video and there are so many to choose from.

[@ChickenPerm]

The real #1 is billbaud's computer!

[@billbaud]

Ha! Do you mean my ridiculous KZbin Analytics thing?

[@1deciple]

Would anyone want my TeleVideo 804?

[@billbaud]

I have not heard of that one - but it sounds like a collectors item!

[@gonzo3915]

Hello, hope you are doing well out there, over here in England it is a s**T show.

[@billbaud]

Yes, strange times indeed.

[@GarryGri]

Very American... You will have some Brits in hysterics and some enraged by lumping the ZX 80, ZX81, and ZX Spectrum all in as one lot ;) If you are going for affordability, there are cheaper things, and if you are going for maximum future price hikes, there are better things. So by default this is a decent 'middle list' for starting. No Commodore 64 though!? I expected that to be number one.

[@billbaud]

Possibly a “very Australian” list - but maybe the markets were similar. Be sure to watch out for my next list which may address the C64 elephant in the room…

[@GarryGri]

@@billbaud Which is why I said that, to me in the UK, it sounds like a very American list. Albeit with one or two notable exceptions. I wouldn't expect a European list to be so American sounding. Which is why it's all interesting.

[@daspec]

The AMSTRAD CPC doesn't have a large software collection or cult following?!? hahahaha!! Its THE most supported retro platform after the AMIGA and Commodore 64 with hardware and software still made! Even more than the crappy speccy. And the 664 is more rare than pink unicorns fetching 600-1000 euros in auctions! Australian n00b.......

[@billbaud]

Thanks for the feedback Damien. I am not familiar with the term “Australian n00b” but I assume it’s a compliment on the professionalism demonstrated in the highly sophisticated video.

[@lovemadeinjapan]

I would still get a regular CPC464, and install a Ulifac internally so it becomes a 6128 as well, and it is cheap like that. It is also the coolest looking of the series.

[@MCGR]

lmao 100/300 for a ti99/4a is not right, these cost like 20-30 dollars

[@billbaud]

I think they are a bit rarer in Australia. If they were $20 i would buy a dozen! 🤓

[@MCGR]

​@@billbaud oh dang ok

[@StripeLightShow]

First!

[@danarosenthal6348]

Tbh my dream computer isn't even on this list... Which is awesome because I don't need people getting any ideas of getting it before *I* do muahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa

[@billbaud]

Let me know which one it is and I’ll tell you if it’s on my next list. 😀

[@danarosenthal6348]

@@billbaud the SGI Indigo 2 :)

[@billbaud]

@@danarosenthal6348 interesting. I hadn’t thought of that one. 🤔