meljor wrote:feipoa wrote:20 years ago, I'd have never thought people would be collecting obsolete computer parts. I wonder what's next. How about a collection of vintage microwaves?
I'm in! (SO glad you didn't say washing machines..)
Actually, vintage toasters can be waaaay better buys than new ones. After trying out a couple of garbage toasters that had "reputable" brand names stuck on the box, we had to return them. One stopped working the second time it was used because it was so light that pushing the lever down to start the toaster caused the back to lift up in the air and then smack down on the counter... which shook something loose and it wouldn't stay down anymore. Now, we own a 35 year old Sunbeam automatic toaster and it works amazingly well and cost $50 versus the $300+ that a modern "high end" toaster costs.
Also, some times washing machines are the same way. Look up "spider flange" failures on modern washers and you'll see why a basic old water-guzzling agitator washer in good shape (especially a good one, like a SpeedQueen) are worth as much or MORE than the newest Samsung trash that plays you a pretty song but only lasts a few years before becoming dangerous to operate. Longevity of modern washers greatly depends on several factors, like if the washer is ventilated properly, what detergent is used, how much detergent is used, and water quality... things that never mattered at all to old washers. And don't get me started on how "clean" a high efficiency gets your cloths compared to a washer that actually uses more than half a cup of water.
Anyway, as far as old hardware prices go, its the same as anything else. You can spend $35,000 on a 40 year old sports car that is outperformed by a 10 year old used family sedan worth about $6,000. Nostalgia is a big seller, and it is usually completely illogical.
Similarly, you can buy an FX 5800 Ultra with a dustbuster cooler for $1500 (or whatever they go for now) or a used Geforce 9800GT for $5 that will do basically everything a thousand times better, except for the oldest games.
The people that remember reading about quirky old hardware when it was new (many of whom have had decently high paying tech jobs for many years now), apparently have the money and the desire to buy and collect these things. Just like the retirement age guy that wants the car he had (or wished he had, or had read about as being hilariously bad) back when he was a teen, and can now afford to buy one for what would seem to others to be a really bad price.
Now for some blitting from the back buffer.