The Current 128K Phenomenon

[QuicksilverMac2001]

Since this topic was sort of hidden in the closet these days, I thought I would offer this opinion. Sometimes all of the above reasons are right, just at different times. I bought a 128k off of Craigslist after having bad to disastrous experiences with an SE, Classic, and Classic II. The vintage hard disks let me down on the SE, the Classic was working for several months (but not as long as the SE between both hard disks) and then the video blew out, and the Classic II was packed so poorly it died in shipping.

So I see that, after about 20 other vintage to retro computers with around 30 different vintage to retro hard disks all failed in the end, that I would have to forego the safety net of mass storage and try for the one machine I had previously shoved aside as not rare enough, not capable enough, not anything enough, and see if it would do better.

Long story short, I found a 128k that had all of the characteristics I insisted on, even if I had to accept every single one of the things I was willing to compromise on. It wound up working for over a year and is still working today. I couldn't get that out of more modern computers. (I had a Quadra 700, but it's hard disk died after 2 weeks. Click of Death. Same thing with an LC 575, and the SE with 2 separate 20SC hard disks. Had that not happened, I might still have those three machines today, and be much happier. Also happened to a Performa 6400/200 with 3 different hard disks. That machine I could watch TV on.

I now have an ImageWriter, a carrying case, an M0130 external floppy drive, and have purchased but not received a Kensington System Saver (those four from evilBay sadly) and I have not regretted going without a hard disk on a retro computer.

(The 400k floppy drives used in these older machines seem to be much more durable, even given that they are removable.)

Kindest wishes sincerely most,
Alex Harris

(P.S. The Twiggy prototype that just recently dropped to the slightly more affordable sum of $74,995 and some odd cents is an extreme case in point.)

[Mac128]

For compact Macs, I would agree that hard disks are more trouble than they are worth. Personally, given the limitations of the 68000, I prefer using an external ZIP drive -- even on a 68030 compact which might benefit from more storage. Let's face it, the old SCSI drives are getting more and more unreliable, they are generally noisy, and can be difficult to format and maintain.

With the obvious exception of stock 128 & 512k, a Zip drive can be used successfully on any Mac. Upgrading the ROM of a 128k & 512k and adding a SCSI port allows the ZIP to work with the earliest Mac. The Zip is quite, easy to use, reliable, and cheap, as well as making it easy to organize your software, rather than searching all over a large formatted hard disk without a decent search function in Vintage Macs.

Http://mac128.com/zip

Another option available to you on the 128K and 512K which makes a world of difference in lieu of a hard drive, is using an external (or internal) 800K drive. You'll find a link for this at the same site.

If Apple had released the first Mac with an 800K drive (as the Twiggy drive would have been), even with only 128K RAM, it would have been a much more pleasant experience, and might have changed Apple's future. Actually thinking about that prototype, that might have been one of the 11th hour unexpected problems with the Mac ... The developers had all been using 800K disks, so no one experienced what it was like to be constrained to a mere 400K until it was too late to do anything about it.

[uniserver]

yes the first thing i do when i get a vintage mac in, is plug in the local talk and copy all to my powermac 7500,

just because a hard drive works when you fire it up for the first time in 10 years, doesn't mean it works. i've had it happen 2 times now where
it boots up works, sits over night, or for a week, and then spin up click click, and spin down. very frustrating. right now i have 2 quantum 160 meg drives , i open up the drive and if i move the head over (a little) once it fully spins up it starts to work, both are doing that. if i don't move the head, they just spin up and then spin down.

[Mk.558]

I was fiddling with the conquest material on Sunday and fired up the SE/30 to inspect some floppy disks and plug in the trackball. I heard the sound of a grinding spinning media encountering resistance for about a second. It instantly commanded my attention and reminded me of the perilousness of digital media.

Computers and their infrastructure are rather frail. Basically, we have with our electronic gadgetry, a large superstructure supported by rather weak bonds. A real big gust of wind, and the building comes down.

Something to think about: If every electronic gadget that is in common use today, ie calculators, computers, cell phones, electronic cash registers, StuxNet infected PLCs, and so forth was instantly *gone*, how many of us would be able to do it the "old" way?

I don't have friend circles the size of celebrities, but there is only one person (although you could make that two) that knows (or says they know) how to use a slide rule (besides me). I mean, it's not critical to daily life, but a slide rule does have certain properties that are advantageous to its principle. One, a good K&E slide rule could last down to your grandchildren if it was well-cared for; two, no circuits to diagnose; three, it trains the mind to understand more fully what is going on, compared to just crunching √40 into a calculator (which, approximated, is 2√10, which is 2x3.1, or about 6.2, just off my head).

[uniserver]

If it got to that point it would be shot guns & clubs & survival , The grid has gone down, no time to mess with an abacus , get away from the mass confusion and riots, And try to make a life off the grid

[Mac128]

Interestingly, JJ Abrams is producing a new series for NBC this Fall which deals with that exact situation, in which not only has the grid gone down, but some kind of "dampening field" prevents electrical current from flowing, so it can't be repaired. Tune in to see what one person thinks would happen ...

[sirwiggum]

I've noticed whats happening to compact macs is what happens generally to cars.

Something fairly ubiquitous in the 80s, then they're everywhere, then they become cheap and disposable, then they become less and less, people start gathering good examples, selling them as rare and the price inflates.

When I picked up the Mac Plus in the late 90s, it was at a car boot sale (similar to "yard sale" / "flea market" etc) the man had a table full of them, I picked mine up for a £5, despite it not working (bad solder) and I thought I could pick up an ADB mouse for it (little did I know).
Schools, companies, offices, homes were getting rid of their compacts and they were everywhere.
Now, the only people who have compacts are those who want to collect them, so they aren't looking rid of them for small amounts of money.

[reallyrandy]

I think some of it may have to do with nostalgia and the death of Steve Jobs. I've wanted to put together a little "Mac museum" for over 10 years but upon hearing hearing of Steve Jobs passing, I actually started feeling nostalgic and re-buying some of these old Macs. I now have about 12 vintage Macs and I'm currently seeking an original 128 and if I can ever afford it, a Lisa

[Unknown_K]

An original Mac would be good for a museum, I just can't think of a reason to actually use one.

[krye]

Due to the rise of the iPhone and iPad, everyone thinks they're a fanboy now. Rising stock prices? Maybe. People that 2 years ago never so much as touched an Apple computer are now being exposed to "our world". They see an Apple logo and think, "Wow, I bet I can get a ton of money for that. Apple's hot!"

I've seen post after post on eBay of people selling old PowerBook s, etc with the disclaimer. "I don't know anything about this so it's being sold as is" They're obviously not the original owner, came into possession of an old Mac, and they’re trying to sell it for $200.

Anyone else notice that the prices went through the roof after Steve died? People just cashing in. Same as when Michael Jackson died. eBay saw a huge in-rush of Michael Jackson memorabilia going for ridiculous prices.

I remember in 2008, I bought a complete mint condition Mac Plus on eBay for $20 bucks. I bought my SE complete in the carrying case with external 800k drive for $70 bucks. These prices were common. Now people want $300 for a beat up yellowed SE.

Hopefully it dies down soon and the prices go back to being more realistic.

[JDW]

Krye, it won't happen anytime soon. I say this unfortunate fact while sharing in your sorrow over the auction sharks. Apple is perpetually in the news because they're doing well. They're making a movie about the life of Steve Jobs, as if the Pirates of Silicon Valley wasn't enough. I don't expect to EBay prices to wane until Apple's popularity wanes, and the media puts less emphasis on Apple. For most people (which exclude most of us), the old adage "out of sight, out of mind" rings true.

[sirwiggum]

I see it as a combination of apple riding the crest of the iphone wave and the current trend for retro.

They're like classic cars, people bought up classics in the 80s and then after the 90s recession they weren't worth that much. Enjoy them for what they are but people shouldn't be stockpiling them as an investment.
A lot of people are snapping them up to sell on to make a quick buck. They're likely the same type of wheeler dealers that buy an old car on gumtree and relist it an hour later with a fake service history.

Why do I have 2 compacts then?
I bought the plus about 13 years ago for £5 as I liked the compacts in school and fancied one for home. It didn't work, sat about then went into the attic when I went to university (UK version of 'college'). I picked up the classic 2 from a local art gallery that must have been clearing out, looked in good condition and a reasonable price, local too (difficult to find items locally). Brings back memories of typing articles into the old school newsletter or IT classes, printing your letters from Clarisworks to the Laserwriter.
Yes they may be worth a few pound, but then over the years the caps are likely to leak or some other catastrophe, so I'm not seeing them as long term investments. I would like to keep them as nice as possible and as long as possible, but physics is against that.
I mind I was watching that Pawn Stars on the TV and someone came in with a IIGS and was looking a few hundred dollars. They offered a low price and were in the back playing games on it.