Challenger 1983
Well-known member
Are LC 575s rare
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How rare are LC 575s
- Thread starter Challenger 1983
- Start date
Once upon a time they were dirt common, at least in their native educational environment. They and similar 68k AIO machines made up most of the Mac section of the public computer labs at my college. Of course, that was 20 years ago, they were constantly ridden hard and put away wet, and they weren't that great in terms of build quality in the first place so, sure, they're probably sort of rare now.
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EvilCapitalist
Well-known member
Most machines that you see the "RARE!!!" tag affixed to on eBay aren't really rare at all.
LC/Performa 575s are becoming more rare in fully working, not destroyed condition certainly, but the same can be said for most pre-1998 Macs. Like Gorgonops said, these were workhorses for a good many years in education and were fairly common but I'd be surprised to see any still in service. The problem now is that even the machines that were saved from being recycled are succumbing to bad caps and terrible plastics. Best bet would be to find one local to you or within reasonable driving distance and pick it up in person if you're looking for one since they tend not survive shipping more often than not.
LC/Performa 575s are becoming more rare in fully working, not destroyed condition certainly, but the same can be said for most pre-1998 Macs. Like Gorgonops said, these were workhorses for a good many years in education and were fairly common but I'd be surprised to see any still in service. The problem now is that even the machines that were saved from being recycled are succumbing to bad caps and terrible plastics. Best bet would be to find one local to you or within reasonable driving distance and pick it up in person if you're looking for one since they tend not survive shipping more often than not.
Johnnya101
Well-known member
They are uncommon if they are white with no yellowing, mint shape, etc etc. the normal ones with wear, no.
Scott Baret
Well-known member
They used to be in schools across the USA, and to a lesser extent in homes in Performa guise.
There are some reasons you won't find these as much anymore:
1. Schools tended to recycle these things en masse in the early to mid 2000s.
2. The ones that didn't get recycled were often stripped for their boards in the late 1990s-early 2000s, since people would hotrod CCs with them.
3. "Spindler Plastic". The plastic of these computers has become so brittle that many fell apart in transit, storage, or shipping.
They're not as rare as some of the lesser-known models, but they aren't as plentiful as, say, the SE. Try to find one locally, since shipping these things is going to be more trouble than it's worth. You never know when they'll come out of hiding; I found an LC 550 on Craigslist (the rare no-CD ROM model) two years ago. It was owned by an older lady who rarely used it and had bought it through the school she used to work at when it was new. Later that year, I also came across a Performa 575. It had a similar story in the fact it was rarely used, although this one wasn't found on Craigslist; it was offered to me by her son, who happens to be my pastor!
There are some reasons you won't find these as much anymore:
1. Schools tended to recycle these things en masse in the early to mid 2000s.
2. The ones that didn't get recycled were often stripped for their boards in the late 1990s-early 2000s, since people would hotrod CCs with them.
3. "Spindler Plastic". The plastic of these computers has become so brittle that many fell apart in transit, storage, or shipping.
They're not as rare as some of the lesser-known models, but they aren't as plentiful as, say, the SE. Try to find one locally, since shipping these things is going to be more trouble than it's worth. You never know when they'll come out of hiding; I found an LC 550 on Craigslist (the rare no-CD ROM model) two years ago. It was owned by an older lady who rarely used it and had bought it through the school she used to work at when it was new. Later that year, I also came across a Performa 575. It had a similar story in the fact it was rarely used, although this one wasn't found on Craigslist; it was offered to me by her son, who happens to be my pastor!
jsarchibald
Well-known member
Even 5 years ago, you would find these every now and then. The place I did my mega pick had about 20 of these, starting to wonder if another trip might be on the cards. I recall a stack of pizza boxes as well, at least as tall as me. Most of these systems weren't worth a lot back then, but now...
I sold my LC 575 a few months back for $260, they command strong prices these days. Have seen another two sell for slightly less, and after getting my Mac TV for $275, the LC, even though it was the first computer I ever owned, had to go.
I sold my LC 575 a few months back for $260, they command strong prices these days. Have seen another two sell for slightly less, and after getting my Mac TV for $275, the LC, even though it was the first computer I ever owned, had to go.
just.in.time
Well-known member
I don't have a full 575, but a Color Classic I purchased about 6 months ago from someone a thousand miles away from me on Craigslist came with an extra logic board. Surprise, it was a 575 board 
.
I do have an LC 520 in great condition, and I purchased the back panel cover from a 575 from a member here, so I could upgrade my 520 to a 575. Then I can put the 520 board in my Color Classic.
As to how rare, I'm not sure. I will say that I haven't seen a complete LC 575 on Craigslist here locally in Arizona any time recently.
.I do have an LC 520 in great condition, and I purchased the back panel cover from a 575 from a member here, so I could upgrade my 520 to a 575. Then I can put the 520 board in my Color Classic.
As to how rare, I'm not sure. I will say that I haven't seen a complete LC 575 on Craigslist here locally in Arizona any time recently.
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