Antiques

In the mid-to-late 20th Century, older model computers were often discarded as newer, more powerful Georgia Caraway machines were released. A few forward-thinking people (or pack rats) held on to some of these old computers thinking they might be valuable collectors’ items one day. Fast forward to 2020 and their assumption has proven true. Some of the first computers are now being sold to collectors for prices upwards of $10,000. If you enjoy weekend garage sale treks or thrift shop hopping and you happen to see an old computer on your journeys, you could potentially pick up a $15,000 antique computer for pocket change! Here is a list of some of the more valuable collectors’ pieces.

The following is from an article written by Harry McCracken for PCWorld.

1: Altair 8800—A do-it-yourself kit with no monitor. Switches on the front had to be toggled as you programmed it yourself in Basic Assembler language. Altair BASIC language was created this way, and that language led to the creation of a little company called Microsoft. This vintage machine can be worth up to $5,000!

2: PDP-8--The first commercially successful "minicomputer" was designed by a company called Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and was sold in the mid1960s for a whopping $18,000! This system included a rackmounted computer, paper tape storage device and offered memory of 4,096 12-bit units. The current value can range from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on condition and iaccessories.

3: Xerox Alto--This is one of the first computers to actually look like a contemporary computer. It sported a video monitor, a QWERTY keyboard, and a single platter storage disk which stored 2.5 megabytes of data. Full units cost a buyer up to $100,000 (in 1973)! In the late '70s, Steve Jobs made a deal with Xerox to borrow some of their concepts. This resulted in the Apple's Macintosh operating system. Today Xerox Alto computers are worth $20,000 and up.

4: Apple 1--In 1976, Steve Wozniak designed his first computer with the help of his friend, Steve Jobs. Only 200 units were produced. A non-working model recently sold on Ebay for $60,000. In 2014, a working Apple 1 sold at auction for over $900,000! Probably the most sought-after collectible computer in the world, the Apple 1 utilized BASIC programming language and was designed primarily for games. This computer was the first personal computer as we've come to know them today.

5: PET 2001--Manufactured by Commodore in 1977, the PET 2001 was a precursor to the famous Commodore 64. This was the first PC made available to retail outlets, and among the first to include keyboard, computer, and monitor together as a single unit. A working PET 2001 now sells for around $500.

6: TRS-80--Tandy/Radio Shack Z -80 Microprocessor was one of the first personal PCs offered for sale to consumers exclusively through Radio Shack stores. Its popularity passed up Apple II several times over in number of units sold. It had a cassette tape drive and black & white TV for a computer monitor. Later, Tandy would introduce disk drives, hard drives, and color monitors as upgrades for the TRS-80. An original unit in working order will set you back about $600.

7: Atari Portfolio--The portable AP computer made history as being the world's first commercially successful palm-top computer. It was extremely versatile, being PC -compatible, MS-DOS-based computer with a DIP operating system designed for palm-top functionality. The AP can fetch between $200-$400 depending on condition.

8: Apple Lisa-1--This suitcasestyle Apple computer was commercially unsuccessful due to its extremely high retail price (upwards of $10,000 in 1983!). The most advanced feature of the Apple Lisa was its graphical user interface-based operating system. An Apple Lisa is worth less today than it cost brand new, however, it is still a valuable collector's piece and a working order model in good condition can cost up to $2,000.

9: IBM 5150 Personal Computer-This was the very first IBM personal computer. The IBM PC started a revolution. Released in 1981, the 5150 included a fullsized keyboard, an upgradeable hard drive, a monochrome monitor, MS-DOS operating system, and a floppy disk drive. This computer was the first one I ever bought and I paid $6,000 for it with accessories. $400 to $500 can get you one today in working order.

10: Spectravideo Compumate-This Spectravideo product included a specialized game cartridge and a keyboard which plugged directly into the Atari 2600 unit. Once attached, the Compumate turned the 2600 game console into a full-fledged computer with BASIC programming capabilities. These units originally sold for $100 and can be purchased now for about the same price, although they are next to impossible to find.

11: Grid Compass 1101--Released in 1982, this rare collectible was essentially the first laptop computer. A die-cast metal frame and a bright orange display made this a very rugged, attractive-looking computer. It was rather pricey ($8,000+ new) and was used mostly by the high-profile business executives, the U.S. military, and even on the Space Shuttle during the '80s. Grid Compasses can set a collector back $3,000 or more.

The next time you go garage sale hunting on a Friday or Saturday morning keep your eye peeled for really old computer systems. There is a good chance that people who have these items sitting in their garage or attic have no idea what they're actually worth to collectors.

Come see us at Howe Mercantile, located in beautiful downtown Howe, Texas. We have two great restaurants right across the street, Abby’s and Gabrielas’, famous for homecooked meals. And the newest addition to our eating establishments, a Chinese restaurant, Hana’s Café and Market, located right behind them. Make a day of it, eating and shopping. Let Us Show You Howe.

Howe quarterback Austin Haley (8) was pressured most of the night. Photo by Michelle Carney.

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negative nine yards and quarterback Austin Haley was 5-of-11 passing for 17 yards. It was the second-lowest offensive output in school history behind the 2018 season finale at Van Alstyne which saw the Dogs total negative 10 yards that night.

Meanwhile, Pottsboro quarterback Braden Plyler rushed for two touchdowns and threw for our more as he was 10-of-13 passing for 256 yards. He didn’t play in the second half as he was replaced by Halen Flanagan who rushed 10 times for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Howe’s youth movement is in full swing as two freshmen were moved up from the junior varsity which gives the Dogs a total of 10 sophomores and three freshmen on the roster of 36. Howe has 15 seniors on the roster, but five of those haven’t played football in a number of years. The injury bug has also depleted the offensive and defensive lines as Matthew Bearden, Will Fleming, and Jonathan Meneses are still out.

Howe won the coin toss and elected to receive but had to punt to start the game. Pottsboro took nearly three minutes off the clock on their initial possession, going 67 yards on seven play. Plyler scored from the one to begin the scoring barrage. After Jacob McDonald’s PAT, the Cardinals led, 7-0 with 6:33 remaining in the first quarter.

After another Howe punt, the Cardinals took less than a minute for their next score when Plyler hit Jake Kubik for a 41-yard strike. Pottsboro led 14-0 with 3:54 left in the first.

Howe’s third possession ended with their third punt and Pottsboro took advantage of great field position. Plyler hit Titus Lyons for a 44-yard pass to the Howe one yard line where Plyler plunged over to make it 21-0 with :43 left in the first.

Pottsboro’s next touchdown came with 10:15 left in the second when Plyler hit Kubik again; this time for 46 yards. The Cardinals took a 28-0 lead.

To add insult to injury, the Cardinals recovered their own pooch kick at the Howe 33 yard line and it took them one play to score when Plyler hit Lyons over Jordan Jones to make it 35-0 with 10:08 left in the second.

Howe’s fifth possession ended in their fifth punt which gave Pottsboro the ball at their own 44 yard line. It took them five plays to go the distance and 39 of it came on a scoring strike from Plyler to Jude Bentley to make it 42-0 with 5:27 left in the second.

The Cardinals recovered another kickoff on the opposite side of the field to set up an 8-play, 19-yard drive that ended on a 32-yard field goal by McDonald. The halftime score was 45-0 and most of the skill players for Pottsboro were retired for the night.

Sophomore Hunter Flanagan was called up this week and he took control of the offense as the Cardinals went 10 plays to open then second half but turned the ball over on downs. Howe put together their best drive of the night, going 10-plays covering 30 yards, but also turned the ball over on downs.

Pottsboro’s final score came on a 17-yard scamper by Flanagan to end a 7-play drive that went 55 yards. That made it 52-0 with 9:09 left in the game. Both teams then went into clock-killing mode to finish it out.

Howe will now host Winnsboro (3-1, 0-1) who lost to Mineola, 20 -6 on Friday night. Game time is 7:30 at Bulldog Stadium.

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