Simply speaking, a vintage computer is one that represents an earlier era of computing.
For the purpose of categorization, this category, and any of its subcategories, are reserved for those of computer companies that are no longer in business, or which are no longer manufacturing computers.
Early computers from contemporary computer manufacturers for which we have a category, such as Apple, will be listed within the category representing the company, or as a subcategory of that category.
Personal computers have been on the market since around 1976 and, in the more than forty years that they have been around, computer technology has changed significantly, leaving many beloved computers in obsolescence. However, a subculture of vintage computer collectors and enthusiasts have grown up around several of these early computers, some who are devoted to one particular type of computer, such as the Apple II or the Commodore 64, while others may collect computers from a particular era.
While many of these are pure collectors, who display these computers in their homes and at vintage computer shows, others continue to use these old computers, even to the point of upgrading and extending them for uses that they were never intended for, such as developing Ethernet interfaces for vintage 8-bit machines, allowing connectivity to the Internet. Others use vintage computers to operated computer bulletin board systems (BBSs), many of which are still in operation.
Most vintage hobbyists collect computers made after 1960, although there are also collections of pre-1960 computers. A full list of vintage computers would be exhaustive, and some would probably still be missing, as the computer revolution was not limited to any one country or continent.
These may include the Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972, although it was designed with no sound, and could display only one vertical line, along with three square dots shown in white against a black background. Essentially, the Odyssey was the first Pong machine, although before its discontinuation in 1975, twenty-eight games were available for it.
The Altair 8800, created by Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS) in 1974, and released in 1975, is credited with starting the microcomputer revolution, as it was the first commercially successful personal computer.
Not as well known, the Sol-20 was developed by Processor Technology in 1976 and was the first to ship with a case that included a keyboard, a feature that was later copied in several subsequent computers.
The Atari Video Computer System (Atari VCS) is a home video game console and computer from Atari. Its line was sold from 1977 to 1992.
The Commodore PET is a line of home computers produced by Commodore International from 1977 to 1982. Intended to be more affordable, the Commodore VIC-20 was distributed from 1980 to 1985. Its more successful model, however, was the Commodore 64. Sold between 1982 to 1994, the C64 was the highest-selling single computer model of all time.
Among the most collectible computers are those produced by Apple, such as the Apple I, the Apple II, and the Macintosh. The Apple II may have been the first computer commonly used as a gaming computer, although it also served as a general-purpose computer.
While slow to get into the PC market, IBM became the standard for personal computers, which are defined as being IBM-compatible. Its early computers included the IBM 1130, the 5100, and its PC series. The high price being asked for IBM computers, combined with a flurry of activity from manufacturers producing much cheaper IBM clones, contributed to the failure of IBM to compete in the PC market.
In Britain, the Acorn BBC Micro was popular in the 1980s, as was its successor, the Archimedes series.
Other popular vintage computers were produced by Tandy/Radio Shack and included the TRS-80 and the Tandy 1000, which helped Tandy achieve a twenty-five percent PC market in 1986, tied with Apple and in second place behind IBM.
The Coleco Adam was produced by ColecoVision from 1983 to 1985. Although it was not on the market long, it is one of the more collectible computers, and was the first of many computers that I have had.
There were many others, including some that may have made contributions more significant than some of those that I have listed here. Regardless of the manufacturer or system, vintage computers are the focus of this category, or any subcategories.
Categories
@History of Computers@Vintage Apple ComputersAcorn ComputersAmstrad ComputersAtari Computers | Coleco AdamCommodore ComputersMITS Altair 8800Sinclair ComputersTandy/Radio Shack Computers |
Recommended Resources
A resource for 8-bit technology primarily, with some coverage of 16-, 32-, and 64-bit technology, 8-Bit Boyz does restoration projects on old equipment that still has life in it, including those in which old technology is integrated with current technology, as well as reviews of vintage computers discovered in places like thrift stores and yard sales. Site topics include computer history, hardware, software, networking, repair and restoration, and a directory of BBS systems.
https://8bitboyz.com/
Formed in 2003, Briel Computers manufactures replica computers. Included is the Superboard III, based on the Ohio Scientific Superboard, also known as the OSI 600 or OSI C1P, as Replica 1 (Apple II replica), the Apple II Super Encoder (replacement board for the Apple II keyboard), the Altair 8800micro (replica Altair 8800 kit) Micro-KIM (replica of the KIM-1 by MOS Technology), and PockeTerm, a single-board terminal that is compatible with most systems, including Unix and Linux.
http://www.brielcomputers.com/
This history of the computer is sorted into several categories, including the dreamers who came up with the ideas that were later used to develop early computers, and particularly Charles Babbage, commonly viewed as the father of the modern computer, early calculators and calculating tools, mechanical calculators, and the birth of the modern computer, a history of the Internet, and profiles of many of the people who played significant roles in the development of computers.
https://history-computer.com/
The site author, who seems to be anonymous, features old computers, their parts, and peripheral devices, the objective being to provide information about technical specifications and tips on making an old computer operational again, how to use obsolete computers, and the software that powers them. Featured are 8-bit microcomputers, PCs, portables, Apple computes, terminals, media, calculators, and other devices. Software written by the author is included.
http://oldcomputer.info/
The IBM PCjr was on the market from 1983 to 1985. While it had some nice features, it was not compatible enough with the rest of the IBM PC family to be successful as a PC clone, and it was too expensive to compete against the Apple II or the Commodore 64. Michael B. Brutman offers his opinions and information about the computer, including its history, its hardware and software, documentation, charts, photos, magazine ads, and the PCjr press kit, as well as other resources.
http://www.brutman.com/PCjr/
Using emulators and simulators, the site allows visitors to experience computing on various vintage computers through their web browser. Including are the IAP, the interactive facility of Cyber 865, or to login to CYBIS, as well as to a DEC PDP-11/44, a DEC VAX-11/780, a DEC PDP-10/KL-10B, an IBM 4381, or a DEC PDP-81. The available computing center output folder is featured, and highlights of these early computer systems are included.
http://www.nostalgiccomputing.org/
Online since 1995, the site features exhibits on several vintage and obsolete computers, listed alphabetically, including the Acorn Electron, Addressograph-Farrington, Alpha Micro AM100, Amistrad CPC464, PC-20, and PPC640D, as well as several IBM models, the IMSAI 8080, the Zenith Data Systems Model Z89, Zenith Laptops, and several others in between. Computer listings include a description of the system, photographs, close-up views, and other data.
http://www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org/
Formed by members of the Commodore Computer Club, the Retro Computing Club is made up of members interested in the early Apple computers, Macintosh Classic, Atari, Texas Instruments TI 99/4a, and other early computers, as well as in early video game consoles and portable gaming systems. Membership information, meeting schedules, and a gallery of photographs are presented, along with contacts and information about making contributions to the club.
https://www.retrocomputingclub.com/
Designed for those who have an interest in vintage S-100 bus-based computers, which were the first home computers that people used before the IBM-PC, Apple II, and others existed, many of which were supplied as kits, the common denominator being that they were designed around a board with an edge connector consisting of a hundred connections, and multiple boards could be plugged into this S-100 bus. The systems, the boards, and the software are highlighted.
http://www.s100computers.com/
Created and maintained by Steven Stengel, a vintage computer collector in Orange County, California, the site exhibits the computers in his personal collection, as well as some of those that he is currently looking for. Featured computers are listed by the year of their release, beginning with the Datapoint 2200 in 1970, and currently going through the early 1990s. Acquired computers are highlighted in green, while wanted computers are highlighted in red.
http://www.oldcomputers.net/
Erik Klein shared information about collecting, restoring, and playing with vintage, classic, antique, outdated, or even junk computers, documenting computers and related items that history has passed by, as far are most people are concerned, and particularly about those which have never seen a mouse, and many that have never seen a keyboard. Included systems are listed alphabetically, with photos and statistical and technical data included.
https://www.vintage-computer.com/
Featuring an overview of several vintage home computers, laptops, single boards, laptops, and tablets, Vintage Computer includes photos and information about the development, marketing, sale, and reception of each, along with the features and technical specifications for each. Where applicable, full units, components, peripherals, and accessories that are available for sale or auction are so noted and may be purchased from the site. User guides and other documentation is also featured.
https://vintagecomputer.com/
Headquartered in New Jersey, the VCF is a non-profit organization formed to enable vintage computer hobbyists to spread the knowledge of the history of computing through a variety of activities, including online discussion, events, local user groups, and a Vintage Computer Federation Museum. The organization’s bylaws, schedules, and a calendar of events are published to the site, along with information about its fundraising efforts, services and memberships.
http://vcfed.org/
The site focuses on early personal computers from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, including resources for restoring and maintaining many of these computers, which includes the Altair machines produced by MITS, as well as those from Processor Technology, Vector Graphic, PolyMorphic Systems, North Star, Mostek, SD Systems, and Southwest Technical Products Corporation (SWTPC), including photos of the systems and their components and other hardware.
https://deramp.com/
