My Finds

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After lurking on this board for a while, and recently having a great experience with a simple question I have finally gotten myself together enough to post my finds from the past few years. I love seeing what everyone else posts and want to share my humble collection. I don't remember the prices for each machine but all in I am under $750.

I will start with what is probably the least exciting (to me) but does carry some sentimental value for myself. I was able to buy this iMac G3 266MHz model from a local seller. I had a 333MHz model when I was graduating high school and entering college and regret that I didn't hold on to that machine. While I have been and still am searching for a 33MHz model, I couldn't pass up this 266MHz model. I don't have pictured of it on, but it does boot with no issues, runs OS 9, and doesn't appear to have any issues so far.

 

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My second post is my iBook G3 366MHz. I acquired this from a seller on LEM who in my opinion is one of the nicest and fairest sellers I have worked with. He has extensive knowledge of these older machines and isn't about making a profit. I can't find the original pictures from the seller, but this is a PVT model, which from time to time appears to have more value to some. For me, this was an easy way to acquire a clamshell iBook in great condition for much less than I was finding on eBay, if I remember correctly I payed less than $100 for this.

 

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My third post is of a recent purchase and one that I have been hemming and hawing about buying for years. I think we all know that Cubes are somewhat rare compared to other G4 macs, and that Cubes are usually priced high. My mind was never able to justify the prices I was seeing until I came across this particular Cube. This is a 500MHz model (immediately got my interest) and is in decent condition. This Cube was also priced below $300. For me this is more of a collector piece.

 

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I managed to acquire a G3 Molar Mac 233MHz. This is both a sentimental and collector machine for me. I do not have pictures yet as I have limited space and the computer is still in the box. I did verify the computer works with no issues at the sellers location. I will post pictures as soon as I have the space to set this one up.

 

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Now on to my TiBooks.

The first is a 667MHz model. This was my first TiBook purchase when I was anxious just to buy a TiBook. The prices were a bit insane as far as I am concerned and this one was priced around $50 so I jumped at it. When I first turned it on I noticed the screen was tinted red which seems to go away after the computer has been on for a while. There also is no OS installed and at this point I haven't installed one. The case isn't in the greatest condition but the hinges seem to be in pretty good condition and the screen supports itself when it is open. I don't have a real reason to keep this other than I don't feel comfortable passing it on to someone else with the issues the laptop has.

 

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My second TiBook is a 1GHz model in the original box. I posted a question regarding this and the computer in my next post and received great feedback. This was a local acquisition from a seller that was looking for a good home for an old computer that is in pretty rough shape. For me the appeal was a 1GHz model and the original box. The hinges are broken and the screen needs to be supported to stay open. After extensive research I am too scared to try to replace the hinges. For now this serves as a parts machine for my next post.

 

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Now I come to the jewel of my collection. I purchased this from the same seller of the clamshell iBook. He again wasn't looking for profit, just a home that would appreciate the machine. Another 1GHz TiBook. The top still has the film from when it was originally purchased. There are practically zero blemishes anywhere on the case. The hinges feel like new. The battery holds a charge, the last time I tested the battery held a charge for multiple hours and without use the battery holds charge for days. From time to time I use this for games and even word processing. My first new laptop was a 1GHz TiBook so this is for me my most sentimental and important computer.

 

[avadondragon]

Welcome to the obsession!

Ah, the good ol' Bondi Blue. I've got one of the first slow 233Mhz models. Had Linux running on it once upon a time. Last time I powered it up I think the CRT was getting a little fuzzy though. I remember when these things came out and everyone was losing their minds over them. Hate the hockey puck mouse. I've got an after market (but still Bondi) two button mouse and keyboard with mine.

I've always wanted a cube. I'd probably mangle it trying to turn it into something else though. Probably good I've never had one.

Ok now that Molar Mac is going to be your gateway to the REALLY cool Macs. With it's floppy drive and ability to use localtalk you'll be able to get up and running with 68K Macs in no time. Does it happen to have a zip drive? I freakin' love those things. Number one best investment I ever made for my retro computing habit way back in the day. I'm lazy and like to just sneakernet everything since most of the time my wired network isn't set up.

 

[avadondragon]

Oh I missed the TiBooks! I was busy posting. That's another machine I'd absolutely LOVE to have. They're the last and most powerful laptop to be able to boot OS 9 right? I've pretty much shifted my collection to being entirely portables for space saving reasons. Tried to anyways. I'll never part with my Compact Macs though. They're 'portable' right?

 

[joshc]

Nice machines, especially having a boxed Titanium PB!

Any plans to acquire some 68k stuff?

 

[pwiggin]

Nice machines, especially having a boxed Titanium PB!

Any plans to acquire some 68k stuff?

Definitely, my main focus, again, for sentimental reasons, is a Performa 575. Hard to find, and even harder to receive as I hear horror stories of trying to have them shipped. I am also keeping an eye out for a good Quadra.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Those are some nice systems! And for what it’s worth, the PVT label was put on a bunch of production iBooks for a good while, not an actual prototype, so sellers that list them up as “PVT PROTOTYPE ULTRA RARE” for ridiculous prices either have no idea what it actually is or are scammers. Clearly not what happened to you, you got a great price, just wanted to put that here.
And I’m mad jealous of the 1GHz TiBook…

 

[ried]

Lovely collection. My favorite Macs all came from this G3-G4 era, too.