I'm looking for an old computer to play with, from the 80s or 90s. What kind of computer do you think I could possibly find on EBay etc. with about $75? (Sorry if that's a ludicrously low price. I'm not including a monitor and keyboard in that price, though.)
Some old computer categories that I've thought of are Commodore, IBM ThinkPad, and IBM PC.
@lymenzies What I have in mind: tinkering and programming, and hopefully a more permanent sort of use where I substitute the old computer for some basic offline task I sometimes do on my other more modern machines, such as journaling or storing fun ideas.
Indeed, I am in the US. I'll check out those computers you listed! I'd heard of the TRS-80 but heard that there were reliability issues... but these are old anyway.
I do have a PS/2 keyboard, and a VGA 4:3 monitor (LCD).
@golemwire The only computer that's that inexpensive from the 80s is probably The NABU, but there's a severe catch.
The NABU system was designed to be an "always online" computer that used the cable TV system as a disk rather than actual disks. It has a z80 like many machines of the time, but everything else about it relies on essentially netbooting.
So, while it would be really really fun if you're into hardware hacking, it's not going to be as fun as an Apple IIe or Commodore 64. You'll be buying other hardware to allow your modern PC to host the NABU software, which is also more involved than something like a BlueSCSI or XT-IDE needed to get old macs and PCs running.
That being said, there's a community around these things. If you really want something to tinker with that also has a lively community around it, it's not a bad choice for that.
@golemwire I just saw a working Apple //c on EBay for $85. Apple Basic was the first programming language I ever learned, and 6502 assembly was the second.
@golemwire For that price, an older 8-bit system. Maybe a Commodore 64, as they sold so many they are still inexpensive today, but not an Apple or Atari as they are still popular, keeping their prices up.
@golemwire
Can you narrow down what you're interested in? 80s or 90s computer is very broad category.
Do you want to play games? Or have some other use?
I'm assuming you're in the US based on your time zone.
You should be able to find a VIC-20 in that price range. Or maybe a TRS-80 portable or color computer. TI99/4A is easy to get at that price.
For PC compatible, do you have a PS/2 or AT keyboard and a monitor (are you thinking VGA or EGA/CGA?)