IIci rescued from Goodwill ComputerWorks

[Mike Richardson]

I finally managed to save one from Goodwill ComputerWorks.

Saw a IIci in the pallets in the back today and I just plain out asked the guy if I could buy it. He took out the hard drive (they're nazi about the hard drives/personal data) and sold it for $10. He told me he would set aside Macs from the pallets and to come back on Friday.

 

[tyrannis]

For years the Austin, TX Goodwill ComputerWorks was an outstanding place to retrieve old Macs, then one day all the Mac stuff just disappeared. I did see a bunch of Color Classics there once after that, but they were selling them for $150 each. I decided to pass on that deal.

 

[Mike Richardson]

I went back Friday, the guy there (a different one) had no idea what the hell I was talking about, and I even went in the back room (without permission) and looked and didn't see any stacks of Macs.

I'm going to call the manager on Monday.

 

[redrouteone]

Every time I go in the computer works I am tempted to ask them if they have any old Mac in the back. I'm trying to keep from going collection crazy again so I have not asked.

Though when I was in there I noticed they had an SGI challenge and a Cray EL they are looking for someone to get running again for the museum. I'm tempted to see if they will let me give it try.

 

[madmax_2069]

I'm tempted to see if they will let me give it try.

it halfway worked before you broke it. lol

but those would be nice if 100% operational

 

[Mike Richardson]

Practically every time I go to the ComputerWorks, I see either a IIci or a IIcx or a Quadra 700 (the case is easily recognizable) in the stacks waiting to be chopped.

Recently their selection of tested IDE hard drives has been useful in repairing iMac G3s. 10 GB for $3, 20 GB for $5. Some of these were Apple OEM drives from Macs that they crushed - I bought out all of the Apple ones and fixed several iMacs. RAM is still a rip off though so I buy big lots off eBay.

The first time I went in there I saw two SEs and a IIc sitting high up on a shelf but was told that was their "museum" when I inquired about purchasing. Their museum sucks.

 

[Scott Baret]

My local GWCW has a Classic on display in their "museum" section...they also have a bunch of old PCs.

 

[redrouteone]

The museum here is actually pretty good. It is in its own suite in the build and they have lots of systems in it. It actually setup like a museum, with displays and descriptions.

They have a few neat systems. A Data General NOVA, a PDP 8 , above mentioned CRAY and SGI Challenge, and of course lots of personal computers from the 80s.