How do I find old computers/parts?
I have a serious interest in vintage computing, but I need advice on how other enthusiasts find old machines and parts on the cheap? Salvation army? Garage sales?
Posted Oct 29, 2011, 5:18 AM UTC
53
I find that thrift stores and garage sales don't have as many vintage computers as they used to. You may have better luck hunting around eBay for some models!
1
When I started collecting about a decade ago, thrift stores, flea markets and the like were good sources for a lot of "old junk". These days the finds in those places are few and far between. Collecting vintage computers has become "cool" (OMG, I'm an 8-bit hipster), or maybe I just already bought them all..
On the cheap, therefore, can be tricky. Like michelk said, eBay and the like is a better chance, but the prices will be higher, especially on sought-after machines.
Or you can go prowling around old office buildings, asking senior employees.. I worked for a time at an engineering company and posted on their internal "craigslist" that I would gladly take old computers, and was gifted with a variety of old machines, most of which I still have.
1
Narrow your focus to something more specific and hang out on forums with people with similar interests. You'll find them. Sometimes even for free.
The internet has pretty much ruined flea markets and thrift stores for finding them . Even Goodwill has an auction site for their computers now. Everyone has the internet.
If there is one listed for $400 on ebay that is what some random guy at the flea market will demand for a broken boxes of parts that may have been part of one. They'll take it to the the grave with them before they'll take a penny less.