Hello!

[Skubert]

Hi, I'm Piotr (Peter), 17 and I live in small village near Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport, Poland.

I don't have ANY Apple hardware, because I think that modern Mac's are too expensive, but back then when there was Apple System with GUI or PC/MS/DR/whatever-DOS without multitasking (I know that multitask in Apple was from System 7).

Modern Mac's according to me are, indeed powerful, but the most popular Apple thing here is iPod Nano/Classic (which are selling without iTunes, yes its true).

Macbooks, iMacs and other Mac computers are mostly popular in two groups: teenagers that want to be "cool" (and who ran on parents money) and 20+ people with jobs who thinks that if they have Mac they will look richer and cooler.

To understand why you must know typical cost of Mac in comparision with typical PC (to work, internet and not-so-old (about 2008 yr.) games and typical earnings of typical Kowalski (the most common surname in Poland):

minimal earnings in Poland is about 800 Polish Złoty (PLN), typical are at about 1,5-2k PLN per one person in family (like in my family) if there is one child and both parents are working (I have 5 dogs, but it isn't counting ;D ). I'm not poor, but not so rich too, middle class I think.

Most people in Poland (including my family) has credits (migration from cities to villages).

Price for the cheapest MacBook 13,3" T8500 250GB HDD and 2048 MB RAM is at about 4,5k PLN. My netbook (1201N) is in the 3076 MB RAM configuration and is worth about 1,7k PLN. The bigger MacBook, the bigger price. Like 15,4" MacBook Pro with i5-540M 4096 MB RAM 500 GB HDD, the cheapest 15,4" MBPro in local shop: 8711 PLN.

And IMO one button mouse without wheel to scroll text isn't good.

Anyway, as person I'm shy and nerdy no-life who loves computers and has luck to the HDD's (4 dead this year, my netbook is now in service. Why? You guessed, HDD. In 5 month old netbook.).

The oldest computer I remember was PI (I think, or PII), 32MB RAM and W95 (98 later). The oldest I have in home is Celeron 1.7, 256 MB of dead RAM, one dead motherboard (other is mounted) which will have new life in pieces (Socket 478 as keyring) and dead HDD.

Oldest computer-like thing is my 1999 Nokia 8210 (8290 in US).

I would LOVE to have a Classic Mac Compact in home, but for now I don't have money. Maybe someday.

If you finally ended reading it, do not post tl;dr or Poland cannot into space, please ;D

And I 'm sorry for every mistake, I'm still learning.

 

[Nathan]

Welcome to the forums. Sad to hear that old macs are hard to find in Poland, although it's hardly a surprise. There are plenty of them in the US, at least on eBay, for varying prices. You wouldn't probably want to buy one here either as the exchange rate for Poland -> US currency is 1.00 PLN = 0.333084 USD. That's roughly three PLN to one US Dollar. Even an inexpensive USD $10 purchase would be PLN 30 for you. Talk about a terribly unfavorable exchange rate... I'm guessing the economy over there is not doing too well? Your best chance at finding one is probably visiting over here (US) and hoping for luck in a thrift shop or arranging to get one for free from someone online.

I'm gonna bet that shipping US -> Poland is pretty expensive, pity a trip here would be quite expensive too.

I love computers too.... I have a ton in my basement. Three PII and an old laptop or two plus the macs listed in my signature and a AMD proc desktop. That and my nice laptop.

P.S.

The 68k part of the forum title stands for the MC68k, a Motorola processor series that powered most of the early Macintoshes. Examples include the 68000, 68020, 68030, 68040 which are often abbreviated as simply 68k or '0?? where ?? is the series. Ex. '040 = 68040

 

[Skubert]

Thanks for replying.

I know that 68k is from Motorola 680x0's name.

Only Early 68k Mac I found in our Polish eBay-like site was Performa 475. Without Mice, keyboard, screen and in unknown condition ("I can hear a 'beep' when I turn it on, I don't know if it boots" - written in the auction). It is for 30PLN, so about $10.

Old Macs are hard to find by 4 reasons:

* there was communism up to 89'

* After getting freedom, there was inflation, not high as in Zimbabwe last year, but still,

* As I wrote, prices

* After inflation ends (about 93'-94' ) there was PC's with Windows, it was cheaper and more popular

Polish inflation percentage after 89':
1989 	639,6% 
1990 	249,3% 	
1991 	60,4% 	
1992 	44,3% 	
1993 	37,6% 	
	1994 	29,5% 	
	1995 	21,6% 	
1996 	18,5% 	
1997 	13,2% 	
1998 	8,6%
	1999 	9,8%
       2000 	8,5%

Cost of the shipment of 10kg Mac from US to Poland will be $30 (If somebody have better deal, please write it), and most of the offers are US only, we do not shipment abroad. I found one Classic I in UK, excellent condition, not yellow, working System 7.0.1 installed, but 150 pounds + 35 for shipment is nearly 800PLN, too much for me.

And last thing: nope sorry, flying to US, getting Mac and flying back will be few times more expensive, even that I am fly enthusiast it's still makes no sense.

Now I must earn some money online ;D

EDIT: Poland is only country of EU in which PKB percentage for 2009 year was on plus, as we say: "here, in Poland even recession failed"

 

[Skubert]

I can't Edit, so I write new post.

I've just found nice SE/30 without mice or keyboard, but with system installed, disks, manual and even carrying bag for $18.95, nice price.

But then I looked at shipment prizes: To Poland ONLY $81.95.

FFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!

If someone wants it, here's a link: http://cgi.ebay.com/APPLE-MAC-MACINTOSH-SE-30-HOME-COMPUTER-1988_W0QQitemZ150476622605QQcategoryZ80075QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%252BDDSIC%26otn%3D20%26pmod%3D180516047734%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6564442647749781876.

 

[Bunsen]

The Performa 475 is a decent 68k Mac. Yes, you will need a keyboard and mouse, and an Apple to VGA monitor adapter and any old VGA monitor, but if you cannot find them in Poland, then shipping for a keyboard+mouse+adapter will be a lot cheaper than a whole computer.

"Beeping" would mean that it is giving the startup chime, which is a good sign. Still, up to you if you want to wait for one that is known to be working.

 

[BarnacleGrim]

Shipping rates in the EU are way too high, the lack of integration really makes the whole notion of a union pretty silly.

What about Germany? They ought to have lots of Macs. Several of my Ireland made Macs even have TÜV stickers.

Bunsen, that was an interesting picture on the LEM site. I have an LC 475 with the old style front leg, but on LEM it has four newer-style feet! Did it get a new case mid-run?

Oh, and I googled "Poland cannot into space", but I still don't get it... :I

 

[Skubert]

Yes, it's silly. Only USA (Russia used to have Buran, which has never left the Earth) has rockets that can be used to transport people.

Poland can into space as we have an Astronaut ;D

Shipping from Germany? With German Mac installed. Yea, cool. I must look for it. It will be easier as they are using same plugs as Poland, and I won't need to buy 110V-220V adapter as with US Macs.

Maybe if British Pound to Polish Złoty currency wasn't at about 5PLN for 1 pound it will be worth buying from them as I can see on eBay there are few British Macs.

Cheers ;D

 

[BarnacleGrim]

China can also into space! :lol:

 

[camellia89]

Hello all,

My name is camellia from australia.

Also like the other, i join in this forum to expand more my knowledge and want to have more friends around the world.

Hope i have a lot of interesting things here.

Thanks.

 

[Bunsen]

Hello camellia - what part of Australia are you in?

 

[Bunsen]

Bunsen, that was an interesting picture on the LEM site. I have an LC 475 with the old style front leg, but on LEM it has four newer-style feet! Did it get a new case mid-run?

No - the Quadra 605 (pictured) used the same motherboard, so LEM treats them as the same model.

ps: Denmark can also into space! (maybe)

 

[register]

It will be easier as they are using same plugs as Poland, and I won't need to buy 110V-220V adapter as with US Macs.

Fortunately even old macs are equipped with wide range input switching power supplies (usually something like 90 ... 240 Volts AC, but always look at the sticker beneath the power input socket). Only the power cord might differ depending to the country and can be replaced easily.