Are the Classic and Classic II worth buying?

[EvieSigma]

I already have a SE/30 but I'd like to get another compact machine...and while they're problematic, Classic and Classic II units are plentiful and relatively cheap. However, with the common part failures, highly restricted RAM, and lack of PDS expansion on the II, are they even worth buying?

 

[jsarchibald]

In my opinion, no.  The only saving grace is that one of them can boot up System Software from ROM, a cool party trick but that's it.

if you have an SE, I would look at a Color Classic, which you can then add the IIe card to, and swap out the LB for an LC575 one for speed.

 

[BadGoldEagle]

I am crazy about Compact Macs. My actual goal is to own every single version. (128K, 512K, 512Ke, Platinum Macintosh ED, Plus, SE 2x800k, SE FDHD, SE Superdrive, SE 1/20, SE 1/40, SE/30, Classic and finally Classic II). So to me they are worth buying.  I know I'm crazy. 

BUT, if what you need is a Mac to play games etc... I think you'd be better off with a 68000 Compact (Plus, SE, Classic) as some games kinda run better on those than on more powerful 030 macs. Since you already own an SE/30, I don't really recommend buying a Classic II as it's basically the same as the SE/30, except the Classic II's a bit less powerful. 

You can get an SE for as low as $15. http://maine.craigslist.org/sys/5895636624.htmlThese SEs are nearly indestructible.

The Plus is a very nice computer. It looks terrific and definitely 80s. But you'll need an external hard drive and the Plus can overheat very easily. And it demands a premium as well.

The SE and the Classic are pretty similar, except the Classic is plagued by those damn SMD caps. You'll have to get the Classic recapped (it will cost you a bit more)

If you want something different, go for the Classic as the SE and SE/30 look identical. 

Every Mac is worth buying (I know I'm an Apple fan boy too), you just need to pick up the one that suits your needs most.

 

[EvieSigma]

I was planning on a SE (preferably a dual floppy model that won't look exactly like my SE/30) but I figured I'd get an opinion on the Classics too.

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

The Plus is great, reminiscent of the dawn of DTP. It was the first Mac that came out of the box ready (after a 4MB upgrade) to run PageMaker and Fontographer (used on Madison Avenue as the very first Illustration package) at a decent clip sitting on top of a spankin' new SCSI ZFP HDD.

Those were the days! [] ]'> .

 

[unity]

I am crazy about Compact Macs. My actual goal is to own every single version. (128K, 512K, 512Ke, Platinum Macintosh ED, Plus, SE 2x800k, SE FDHD, SE Superdrive, SE 1/20, SE 1/40, SE/30, Classic and finally Classic II). So to me they are worth buying.  I know I'm crazy. 

I have the same goal. While I collect other Macs, the compacts are where I do best. I am even to the point where I now have some consecutive numbered machines! lol

 

[jsarchibald]

I have had:

Original Mac

Mac 128K

Mac 512K

Mac 512K ED Beige

Mac 512K ED Platinum

Mac 512K upgraded to Plus

Mac Plus Beige

Mac Plus Platinum

Mac SE Dual Floppy

Mac SE

Mac SE FDHD

Mac SE/30

Mac Classic

Mac Classic II

Mac Color Classic

Mac Performa 250

The first to go were the Classic and Classic II, then the SE Dual, and I kept the 250 and sold the Color Classic.

I will likely whittle down this collection to a core group eventually.  But I will say, having had pretty much all of them, you enjoy it for a bit, and then think "time to move some on!".  Human nature.

 

[EvieSigma]

I'm fine with just having two, maybe three maximum!

 

[Trash80toHP_Mini]

So was I, but they breed like vermin. Never keep more than one stored in a dark closet.

 

[EvieSigma]

Well I did just find a nice cheap SE dual floppy on eBay (under $100 after factoring in shipping isn't bad for a compact Mac!) so my SE/30 might be getting a friend...

 

[Unknown_K]

I sold my Classic II years ago to a forum member, it just didn't do anything for me. I do have 2x SE's and 2xSE30's and those I like. Being able to stuff Ethernet cards, lots of RAM, and accelerators into the SE line is probably why I like them better then other compacts.

 

[EvieSigma]

Yeah, I love my SE/30! And I totally forgot to send you that Ethernet card, sorry. 

I actually figured out that my machine was owned at one point by a National Semiconductor employee, which explains the National Semiconductor Ethernet card...

 

[aplmak]

I never liked the Classic and Classic II... sort of like impersonators (or tried to be) of the machines made before them.. a reinvention that was so limited.. I remember a Classic I gave my grandfather back when they came out and it was horribly slow!!! I could barely stand to even use it because it was so slow. This is just my opinion... if you have an SE/30 already (my favorite).. Perhaps get a Color Classic... yes it's limited too but at least you have a sleeker case and a color monitor... You could always throw a 550 board in the Color Classic and make a cool Color Classic II minus the front label..

And god I can remember Mac Plus's in a high school I serviced.. It had a small Mac Plus lab.. and boy did it smell of burning Plus's.. they had this strange odor.. I'll never forget that lab...

 

[EvieSigma]

I don't think I'll ever be getting a Color Classic, unless I find one in person being sold by someone who doesn't know its value/isn't interested in getting eBay top dollar.

 

[Scott Baret]

The Classic used to be my recommendation for those getting into old Macs since it has a 1.4MB floppy drive and a built-in ROM disk to boot the machine. However, since the capacitor issues have cropped up in the last decade or so, I no longer recommend it and advise first-timers to go with an SE SuperDrive.

The Classic has a lot going for it--in addition to what I wrote above, it also has the easiest CRT to adjust and the easiest RAM to upgrade. A good Classic with repaired boards is a solid machine, however.

The Classic II is a neat little machine. It never gets enough credit because everyone views it as an unworthy SE/30 successor. I don't buy that since it wasn't actually slotted to take the SE/30's place. The SE/30 was a high-end Mac, the Classic II developed as an entry-level Mac for those who wanted something more than the Classic I. It's still the second most powerful of the compact Macs, and I do like having one around since it has a modern look and LC-level power but with the charm of the original Macs.

 

[EvieSigma]

What makes the Classic II more powerful than the Classic, though? I thought they both had 16MHz 030s on a 16bit bus with a 10MB memory ceiling.

 

[Scott Baret]

What makes the Classic II more powerful than the Classic, though? I thought they both had 16MHz 030s on a 16bit bus with a 10MB memory ceiling.

The Classic I has an 8MHz 68000 with a 4MB RAM ceiling. It's fundamentally similar to the SE.

The Classic II has a 16MHz 68030 with a 10MB RAM ceiling (on a 16-bit bus). It's fundamentally similar to both the LCII and Color Classic.

 

[EvieSigma]

Wow, I'm such a fool! I honestly thought they were the same machine with some obscure difference.

 

[Unknown_K]

The classics are late era budget compacts, they could have done much better.