Is this too much $ and work for a noob.

I am a total noob when it comes to compact Macs but I’ve been wanting to get into getting one and restore it for fun. I found this one of fb marketplace for $100. I looked on eBay and it seems
These “powers on” for parts pluses go for about $15 to $30 plus that much again in shipping, so I offered her $50 and she accepted. It’s a half hour drive to a meeting spot. Not bad.

Can yall impart some wisdom on me about this. Is this over the head of a noob? Will it cost a lot to get working? What’s y’all’s opinion of this particular one? It looks kind of ratty to me and it appears to have a cracked bezel on the front which I assume isn’t repairable. It also looks like the metal around the connectors is rotted. I can only imagine what it looks like inside. It doesnt come With a power cord but I’m wondering if G3/G4 cords will work. I have several of those or are these proprietary. My intent is to plug it in at the meet in spot and see if it truly powers on as she says and buy it if so unless I’m advised otherwise here. Would this be better as a hangar queen for another one in better shape or is this restorable itself (obviously hard to answer not knowing what the inside looks like).

facebook is indeed too much $ and work for a noob

Doesn't appear to have a keyboard or mouse either, which for the 128, 512, and plus, are propritary(though i believe you can get/make adapters?)

Personally I'd keep an eye out for an SE as a 1st compact mac, uses an ADB keyboard/mouse which are much more common.

(for those without a facebook, screenshot of listing)

Selling a classic Apple Macintosh Plus (Model M0001A). This machine does power on, but it does NOT come with the power cord, so you’ll need to supply your own to run it. Condition Notes: • Powers on • No power cord included • Original case • Cosmetic wear/yellowing as expected for its age • Floppy drive present • Ports intact • Great for restoration, display, or collectorsPerfect for:• Vintage computer collectors• Retro tech enthusiasts• Restoration projects• Display pieces Price: $100 Pickup only Can meet

Just remove the back case and front bezel and scrub with soap and water... If it chimes that's good. If the screen stays black or flickers that's because of a cracked solder joint on the analog board.

Swabbie said:

It doesnt come With a power cord but I’m wondering if G3/G4 cords will work. I have several of those or are these proprietary.

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Those mains cords are not a proprietary design but rather an international standard, IEC 60320 C13. Yes, the cords you use with a G3/G4 iMac will also work for most desktop computers including this Macintosh Plus

It truly baffles me as to why the keyboards and mice for these things disappear.

Not having a keyboard and mouse will cost you. Better value to find one with... But perhaps a little late now.

The crack can be glued with something like acetone from the rear side, but care is needed and it might show where it was glued.

The floppy drive will normally need attention...

Open the battery cover on the back and see if it is a leaky mess.

The Plus is a good machine to go for as they're reliable, but the SE is similarly durable but a bit more modern, compatible... Usable.

You'll struggle to find a cheap keyboard and mouse.

LaPorta said:

It truly baffles me as to why the keyboards and mice for these things disappear.

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some monsters like to steal the keyboard and mouse to use on modern computers, much in the same way that ivory poachers rip out elephant tusks to carve into silly objects and leave the poor animal to perish.

@Swabbie I'll sell you a beige mouse for $30

Hi, to be honest a $100 was far too expensive, $50 is not the biggest deal of the year but is decent.

A mouse is required, but the keyboard is not mandatory and $30 is a fair price.

Torbar said:

(for those without a facebook, screenshot of listing)

Selling a classic Apple Macintosh Plus (Model M0001A). This machine does power on, but it does NOT come with the power cord, so you’ll need to supply your own to run it. Condition Notes: • Powers on • No power cord included • Original case • Cosmetic wear/yellowing as expected for its age • Floppy drive present • Ports intact • Great for restoration, display, or collectorsPerfect for:• Vintage computer collectors• Retro tech enthusiasts• Restoration projects• Display pieces Price: $100 Pickup only Can meet

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Thank you for doing this. Didnt occur to me some spare themselves the annoyance of faceplant.

+1 on the SE as the best first compact Mac. They're cheap, durable, compatible, and expansion cards are fun.

luRaichu said:

@Swabbie I'll sell you a beige mouse for $30

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Tempting! Thank you. I’m still on the fence with this Mac plus but I’ll def reach out if I get it. $30 seems really fair! Can I assume it’s tested and works?

luRaichu said:

@Swabbie I'll sell you a beige mouse for $30

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Mostly echoing what people above have said:

Swabbie said:

so I offered her $50 and she accepted

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$50 is probably approximately reasonable - I think you slightly overpaid here for one without input devices but not by a very large amount.

Swabbie said:

Is this over the head of a noob? Will it cost a lot to get working?

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The 128/512/Plus generation (and probably the SE) is probably the easiest to work on for someone who isn't very used to working with the innards of computers. If you're prepared to have this as a learning project, you may well get a lot out of it. They're also the computers where you can see most easily what's going on and how the machine works, because there's comparatively little "we wedged it all into a magic IC" stuff.

Swabbie said:

It doesnt come With a power cord but I’m wondering if G3/G4 cords will work.

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The power cord for these is an ordinary IEC power cable, nothing special or proprietary.

Swabbie said:

Can I assume it’s tested and works?

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It did work last time I tested it but I can test again with my Plus

$50 and working it'll be a fine candidate to add to a collection, very simple internals and if stored well won't take much to get rock solid (cap replacement is easiest out of any Mac).

luRaichu said:

@Swabbie I'll sell you a beige mouse for $30

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That is an amazing price. If he doesn't want it, I'll take it. I have probably 20? Pluses and only two mouse/kb sets.

Right now on eBay there's a parts/repair mouse for $23 and a few others for $40-50. I think my price is fair

One last issue: do you have other Macs that you can make 800k disks with? Plus won’t read 1.4 MBs.

It sure looks like a crack down the front of the center to fix - not fun for a beginner and staring at that all the time would not be for me.

Swabbie said:

It also looks like the metal around the connectors is rotted.

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I can only see the picture someone posted here, not the backside with connectors that was posted on FB, so I don't know the condition, but it can sometimes be a sign of worse internal damage.

There is no HD in the Plus you need to plan for floppy creation - you would be better off going with an SE . (still the 68000 experience, but not as overpriced accessories [not aimed at you luRaichu, just the general prices, because these cover 128/512/Pluses] - keyboards are insane for these!)

Pass on the Plus and buy an SE, this is not the bargain it appears.