How much are old home computers worth?

[jucole]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23243069

"A computer from 1976 that originally retailed for $666.66 is to be auctioned and could fetch up to $500,000.
The Apple-I computer was one of the first 25 computer elements designed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in their famous California garage.
About 200 were made but most have disappeared or been discarded, with only around 30 to 50 still believed to be in existence."

[N2IXK]

Sure, a few historically significant models are worth a small fortune. Like the Apple I or a MITS Altair.  Original IBM PCs (Model 5150) have some collector appeal, but aren't all that valuable. I sold a working Compaq Portable (significant as the first IBM clone machine) for $200 a couple years ago, FWIW.

The more common crusty 286/386 machines hiding in closets and basements are worth next to nothing.

[eKretz]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23243069

"A computer from 1976 that originally retailed for $666.66 is to be auctioned and could fetch up to $500,000.
The Apple-I computer was one of the first 25 computer elements designed by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in their famous California garage.
About 200 were made but most have disappeared or been discarded, with only around 30 to 50 still believed to be in existence."

The quantity alone tells the story here. Anything collectible is always worth much much more when they are rare. Considering this computer was one of the very first home PCs ever made, the expected price doesn't really shock me.

[nctnico]

Usually not much. A few years ago I gave my entire 'collection' of MSX2 gear away for free. I was just happy someone else was interested in my old computers and maybe could use the parts to keep his machines running. I made more money selling the original service manuals on Ebay!

And stuff being rare doesn't mean its worth something. On a TV program about pawn shops one of the owners said 'something old is usually rare because nobody wanted it back then and unfortunately nobody wants it today'.

[jpb]

I had the opportunity to acquire an old BBC micro for free, so I checked on e-bay to see if they are now considered historic and found that they were going for less than £50, mostly people were asking around £30 so not exactly a valuable antique! I regret giving away my own BBC micro though as that had a lot of sentimental value.

I have various ancient computers in a museum in the loft, including an Compaq SLT386 which I still think is a great design (lunch box sized with a separate little keyboard). It cost around £3k when my small company bought it.

[Stonent]

I sold a working Compaq Portable (significant as the first IBM clone machine) for $200 a couple years ago, FWIW.

I at one point purchased one of those for $20.00 myself. It depends on the person I guess.

[Telequipment]

Over here in the UK ,you can see them left outside for the refuse people to collect, everyone want lcd screens and windows 8 . I have 26inch LCD,& had windows 7 put in the computer, couldn't get on with windows 7, it's a large screen but it doubles up as a TV ,as I never get to see any otherwise.

[KJDS]

I've just sold 35 ancient PCs for £50 and was happy to get that for them

[ddavidebor]

One possible exclusion, legacy industrial pc. Sometimes company broke pc, and when it's an important piece, they're going to pay a lot of oney for,it

[amyk]

One possible exclusion, legacy industrial pc. Sometimes company broke pc, and when it's an important piece, they're going to pay a lot of oney for,it

...even the space industry.

[eKretz]

And stuff being rare doesn't mean its worth something. On a TV program about pawn shops one of the owners said 'something old is usually rare because nobody wanted it back then and unfortunately nobody wants it today'.

Ahh, but you are taking my remark out of context. I said 'Anything collectible (i.e. that people want) is worth more when it is rare' not just anything rare is worth more.

[Legit-Design]

Mint in a box anything, with all the options and extras included, that could be worth something.

[JuKu]

25€/kg recyling fee.

[4to20Milliamps]

Apple owners always think their stuff is worth more than everyone else's 

[EEVblog]

I sold a single copy of an old and ratty 1980's Your Computer magazine that had the original Microbee article in it for over $100!

[mikeselectricstuff]

I think the only stuff worth anything would be new-in box, never used, as that would be very rare.
ISTR reading a while ago about a ZX80  unbuilt kit that went for I think a few hundred
 

[Spunky]

Still got a commodore pet somewhere, might be worth some pennies if it can be made to work. As for 1980s computer magazines I think I've got a whole boxfull, are they really worth anything?

[nctnico]

Even a home computer 'new in box' will probably be broken. Chips don't have eternal life; plastic packages do let water in.

[SLJ]

Some are rather rare and worth a few dollars, especially anything that's considered to be a "first". 
The first Apple of course commands the big bucks and is most likely the highest valued piece of vintage technology.
the Apple Lisa (first Graphical User Interface),
almost any CP/M machine,
the Altair 8000 (early build-it-yourself kit),
the GRiD Compass (first real laptop),
most early portable computers,
etc.

As for me, nothing past the 1980s is worth anything as far as a collectible.

[Spunky]

In the 90s I was taking lots of CPM machines out of local authorities, breaking them down for parts and weighing in the metals. Old mini computers had really heavy chassis and made great mobile trolleys for welders and saws (we still have one with a chop saw mounted on it for cutting pipe)