first step in finding new homes for a Plus, SE, SE/30

[pathw]

Some friends want to get rid of 3 compact Macs of their parents that were last touched in 2001. They would like these to go to people who want to keep them going, and I volunteered to act as the intermediary here.

I know nothing about Compact Macs, and need some advice on what information/leg work needs to be done before listing these on the Trading Post.

1) Macintosh Plus / 1MB M0001A

Appears to work fine, booting off of an external HD. However, was not able to try it out since we could not find a mouse with the correct connector, nor an adaptor. (Again, I know nothing, so am not even sure what the options are here).

Serial number indicates "Macintosh Plus (M0001A), ..., 6367th manufactured during the 23d week of 1986 in Fremont, CA".

Has both the keyboard with integrated numeric keypad, and a keyboard/numeric keypad as two separate parts.

2) Macintosh SE w/Superdrive M5011

Works fine (with limited testing), and appears to have 4MB memory.

Serial number indicates "Macintosh SE (B02), ..., was the 3842d manufactured during the 36th week of 1990 in Fremont, CA."

3) Macintosh SE/30 M5119

nonworking - powers up to a blank screen. Tried with external HD as well, and no difference. According to the note on the machine, same was true in 2001.

Serial number indicates "9832d manufactured during the 5th week of 1989 in Fremont, CA."

4) There are a few peripherals (Mac N Frost fan + extra outlets; external HD; keyboards and mice, ???), but I did not try to document what was there. I will if there is something important that I should be looking. I don't know if any of these have any upgrades either - haven't looked, nor know what to look for or how.

Thanks.

 

[techknight]

Pricing? 

It depends on what your willing to do and what they expect. If they expect eBay pricing then listing them here would be a waste of time. Just saying. 

I would sell them as is, But again if you wanna get top dollar, you have to restore them, but then plan on eBay. 

 

[pathw]

Pricing? 

It depends on what your willing to do and what they expect. If they expect eBay pricing then listing them here would be a waste of time. Just saying. 

I would sell them as is, But again if you wanna get top dollar, you have to restore them, but then plan on eBay. 

No indication that they are interesting in doing ebay - I'll be helping with Trading Post or local only - and also 'as is'. Maximizing return is not their goal.

Guess I'll look back through old Trading Post listings to get a feel for typical pricing, and try to adust accordingly for the condition.

Thanks.

 

[Brett B.]

The Plus keyboard(s) are worth as much or more than the machine itself assuming all the keys work.  People are always looking for Plus keyboards and mice.  But your Plus seems to be working, and if you can find a mouse, then you've got a complete system.  As to value on that, I don't know.  

The SE is cool because it has the SuperDrive option but I don't think it would add much/any value.  Both of mine only have 800k drives... not a big deal. SE's are still a very common model.  If it's in great shape, probably worth $25-$100 as a complete system or maybe more to someone who has cash to burn.  Or maybe it'll take forever to sell at any price.  It's hard to say.

The SE/30 is by far the most desirable thing there, but is worth very little if it doesn't work.  Hard to say what's wrong, could be an analog board issue perhaps.  They all need the logic board capacitors replaced and there's always the possibility that the battery exploded and trashed the board.  But without a look inside, who knows.  I wouldn't pay more than about $10 for it in its current condition assuming it's more or less in factory configuration, meaning that there are no huge RAM modules or expansion cards installed.

I guess the bottom line to me is that there are a LOT of unknowns here.  Best case scenario is to offer them up to collectors locally for free or really cheap as-is, or plan to go through each with a fine tooth comb and then sell as tested, working collectibles to maximize the profit.  Your call.

 

[Juror22]

Posting them local and here in the Trading Post is excellent - they will find their way to caring homes here.  Tell them we appreciate their thoughtfulness and hopefully this will allow someone that really needs one of these models to get one at a nice price.

 

[just.in.time]

That SE SuperDrive is a very solid model. Assuming the plastics arent too yellowed, with the mouse and keyboard included, I'd say it is a $70 machine. Especially since it is already at 4MB of RAM.

I agree with the other posters, assuming the SE/30 is stock but nonfictional, maybe $15 or so. However, if you happen to have the screw driver to open it and can take pictures showing that the clock battery has not exploded, you could probably bump the value to ~$50 or so. Also, if it has a networking, video card, or any other expansions that has the potential to increase the value as well (increase depends on expansions present).

Finally the Plus... honestly, I'm not sure since it is missing the mouse. You would probably get more on the Trading Post by listing the Plus and Keyboard separately. Maybe someone else can give you some good starting prices.

Edited to add: photos help a lot to convey what you have. I'd highly reccomend them when you go to post in the Trading Post.

 

[pathw]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I've never opened up any of these systems (I'd never touched any of these until last week) - I'll search for instructions, but are there any gotchas when opening them up that I should be aware of?

 

[Brett B.]

Not really, just similar to working inside any other CRT cabinet with high voltages present.  Just assume everything is very fragile and you'll be OK.  There used to be this tool called a "Mac Cracker" which would split the case halves so disassembly is easier... you don't need it, my method is to set the machine face down on the bed or couch, remove the 4-5 screws (2 inside the handle, two near the back ports, one inside the battery compartment on the Plus only) and then with both hands, smack the sides of the case in an upward motion.  This separates the back half of the case but takes some practice to get it just right.

 

[pathw]

FYI - these macs found a new home. Went to a fellow 68kmla'er, who can self-identify if they want to. Never made it to Trading Post because my friends were overwhelmed trying to move their parents out of a large house with lots of stuff into an apartment, and were unprepared/unwilling to generate the necessary documentation and photos at the time. Once the move was over, they wanted the macs to move quickly. Apparently everyone involved was satisfied with the resulting transaction.

 

[mactjaap]

Very thoughtful of you to ask the 68kmla for help. Again three Macintosh saved!!

 

[techknight]

I have them

Due to this transaction, it has freed up more machines of mine (Shuffling/redoing my collection), so it will allow me to list machines for people to purchase from me in the future. 

None of my machines are battery damaged or basket cases. They will be ok for full restoration or at least recapped prior. 

I also ended up with extra Plus keyboards which I dont need, So I will pass them along after I test them.