Archive for November of 2008

Meeting Merlin

November 25, 2008
An article at The DigiBarn Computer Museum by the late Jef Raskin.
From the story:
"By the 1990s, most kids had been exposed to computers. Not everybody used them or had one, but everybody knew about them.
I was not particularly different, I ran into a computer shortly before I was to go to high school, and was dazzled by the power and potential of programming. However, by extraordinary good luck, I met Merlin. Merlin's magic warped time for me so that my introduction to computers and programming occurred in the 1950s, instead of the 1990s. This put me 40 years ahead of my time, and I was later to make use of this privilege to create the Macintosh project, which may well have jumped the progress of personal computers ahead by a few years."



Read More:
Jef Raskin's story "Meeting Merlin"

What's on eBay?

November 24, 2008
Original Apple II, Revision 0, Integer ROMs

From the description:
• Original Apple II (NOT II+)
• Integer ROMS including Programmer's Aid #1
• The very first rev. 0 logic board, unmolested, w/ light green slots
• Original case and lid
• 48K RAM
• FULLY WORKING, Clean with no engravings.
• Sturdy metal carrying/shipping case.
• Monitor NOT included

"The revision 0 Apple II is the rarest and most desirable of the Apple II line (about 5000 made, very few surviving). This is a clean very early original Apple II, serial # A2S1-2812. The logic board serial is 3098. The first rev 0 logic boards had light green slot connectors and this is one of those highly-desirable examples. Most revision 0 boards were modified to add more hi-res colors (blue and orange) and a 'color killer' circuit that was standard on later revisions... This one is as delivered from the factory with no modifications. It will display the rev 0 hi-res colors of purple, green, black and white (see photo). The computer is fully working, including all keys on the keyboard".



What's on eBay - Original Apple II, Revision 0, Integer ROMs

This Week in Apple History

November 21, 2008
Today we return to the informative "This Week in Apple History" series at The Mac Observer. The November 21-31 entry in the series by Owen Linzmayer & Bryan Chaffin is entitled, "Steve Calls Gil, NeXT, Toy Story".

November 21-31: Steve Calls Gil, NeXT, Toy Story

What's on eBay?

November 19, 2008
Dynamac; The Macintosh Clone EL-1701-A
Two in one week? We usually only feature one eBay item each week, but reader Steven F. sent us this tip on a cool clone for those portable collectors out there!

From the description:
"Vintage Apple Computer Make: Dynamac Model #: EL-1701-A Screen Size: 9" S/N: 4020M 10005 (Introduction Price February 01, 1987 MSRP: $7000.00) Designed In: U.S.A. Some of it's Features: Standard Hard Drive: 20 MB or 40 MB, Standard RAM: 1 MB, Built-in Display: 9" Monochrome, CPU: 8 MHz 68000 CPU. Please visit everymac.com for more on specs and features. What's Included: Dynamac Computer, a mouse and power chord. The Scoops: The Dynamac is in working condition. It powers on and off manually. It is a great addition to any vintage computer collection. Shipping Specs: This item will be shipped in a 22" x 22" x 6" sized box, & will weigh < 22 lbs. Condition: Great."



What's on eBay - Dynamac; The Macintosh Clone EL-1701-A

What's on eBay?

November 17, 2008
Museum-Quality Apple Lisa 1 with Twiggy Drives!

From the description:
"If you're reading this auction, you probably know how rare a Lisa 1 is - and this may be the nicest one in existence (less than 50 are known to exist).
In addition to a pristine exterior, it works! It boots up to System 1.0 and has a few applications installed on the external ProFile 5 MB hard drive. Included is the mouse and keyboard with pull-out instructions. No Twiggies ("Twiggy" floppy diskettes) or manuals are included.
The computer, keyboard and mouse are flawless. There isn't a single crack, scratch or speck of dirt. You would think that the machine was never used. There's no yellowing of the plastics, no screen burn-in.

Here are the model and serial numbers:

Lisa Serial No: B08B831590572
Lisa Applenet No: 00102973
Lisa Manufactured: B08B831590572

ProFile Model No: A9M005
ProFile Serial No: 134558

Keyboard Model No: A6MB101
Keyboard Serial No: 1009948

Mouse Model No: A9M0050
Mouse Serial No: 036869"



What's on eBay - Museum-Quality Apple Lisa 1 with Twiggy Drives!

This Week in Apple History

November 14, 2008
Today we return to the informative "This Week in Apple History" series at The Mac Observer. The November 14-20 entry in the series by Owen Linzmayer & Bryan Chaffin is entitled, "McIntosh, IIe Killed, Butt-Head Astronomer".

November 14-20: McIntosh, IIe Killed, Butt-Head Astronomer

PowerBook 3400 Commercial - At Least

November 13, 2008
Another vintage vid from YouTube! This time it's one of our favorite Mac's of all time, the PowerBook 3400!



PowerBook 3400 Commercial - At Least

What's on eBay?

November 11, 2008
Apple Newton Message Pad 2000 - Cheaper by the Dozen!
Buy them now for $50.00!

From the description:
"One dozen Apple Newton Message Pad 2000 computers. First of the handhelds!! (sort of) Were used to develop Newton Applications in 1996 and 1997. Most in good shape. few batteries missing. One new and still in box with keyboard. Only one or two cables survive but few serial connectors will be in box. No guarantees as to exact condition but I believe all were working fine at the turn of the century when they were put in the box I just found!!! Must be someone out there who can think of something to do with these!!! Best offer takes em!!"





What's on eBay - Apple Newton Message Pad 2000 - Cheaper by the Dozen!

This Week in Apple History

November 07, 2008
Today we return to the informative "This Week in Apple History" series at The Mac Observer. The November 7-13 entry in the series by Owen Linzmayer & Bryan Chaffin is entitled, "Apple Goes Public, Windows, CHRP, & iPod Born".

November 7-13: Apple Goes Public, Windows, CHRP, & iPod Born

What's on eBay?

November 04, 2008
Apple Macintosh QuickTake 200 Digital Camera M5709 E7
In the original box, with a "Buy it now" price of $49.99 - and free shipping!

From the description:
Manufacturer: Apple
Model: M5709
Cosmetics: Good
Test Results: Tested working. Bid with confidence!
Accessories: Includes AC adapter, manual, and original box.



What's on eBay - Apple Macintosh QuickTake 200 Digital Camera M5709 E7

This Week in Apple History

November 03, 2008
Today we return to the informative "This Week in Apple History" series at The Mac Observer. The November 1-6 entry in the series by Owen Linzmayer & Bryan Chaffin is entitled, "Sculley's Gift to Microsoft, Panther Released".

November 1-6: CompUSA, Monsters, Inc.