The IMSAI's big selling point was its compatibility with the popular MITS Altair 8800; as Vintage-Computer.com's Erik Klein points out, that made it the first clone PC. A popular machine in its own right, it is perhaps most famous today as the computer used by Matthew Broderick in War Games, a 1983 film made long after the IMSAI's heyday. Oddly enough, a new IMSAI clone known as the IMSAI Series II is still available--but at $995, it goes for twice what you might pay for a vintage model from the 1970s. (Photo courtesy of the Obsolete Technology Website.)
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The Most Collectible PCs of All Time
Is that computer in your attic a treasure...or trash? Here's the scoop on 19 historic digital antiques, worth from $10 to $10,000 and beyond.
IMSAI 8080 (IMSAI, 1975). Estimated units sold: 17,000 to 20,0000; original price: $600; current market value: $500
Altair 8800 (MITS, 1975). Estimated units sold: tens of thousands; original price: $621 (assembled); current market value: $2000+
Alto (Xerox, 1973). Estimated units manufactured: a few thousand; original price: never sold; current market value: at least $5000 to $10,000
Apple 1 (Apple Computer, 1976). Estimated units sold: a few hundred; original price: $666.66; current market value: $15,000 to $25,000
Apple II (Apple Computer, 1977). Estimated units sold: 5 million to 6 million (all versions); original price: $1298; current market value: $15 to $250
Commodore 64 (Commodore, 1982). Estimated units sold: 17 million; original price: $595; current market value: $10 to $300
Cray-1 (Cray Research, 1976). Estimated units sold: about 80; original price: $5 million and above; current market value: tens of thousands of dollars
IBM PC (IBM, 1981). Estimated units sold: hundreds of thousands; original price: $1565; current market value: $50 to $500
IMSAI 8080 (IMSAI, 1975). Estimated units sold: 17,000 to 20,0000; original price: $600; current market value: $500
Kenbak-1 (Kenbak Corporation, 1971). Estimated units sold: 40; original price: $750; current market value: $12,000+
KIM-1 (MOS Technology, 1975). Estimated units sold: tens of thousands; original price: $245 (kit); current market value: $100 to $500
Lisa (Apple Computer, 1983). Estimated units sold: a few thousand; original price: $10,000+; current market value: $10,000+
Mark-8 (Jonathan Titus, 1974). Estimated units sold: 400; original price: $50 (circuit boards); current market value: $5000 to $12,000
Micral-N (R2E, 1973). Estimated units sold: about 2000; original price: 8500 French francs (about $1300); current market value: at least $5000 to $10,000
PDP-8 (Digital Equipment Corporation, 1965). Estimated units sold: 50,000; original price: $18,500; current market value: $1500 to $20,000
PET 2001 (Commodore, 1977). Estimated units sold: 10,000+; original price: $595; current market value: $100 to $500
Scelbi-8H (Scelbi Computer Consulting, 1973). Estimated units sold: several hundred; original price: $580 (kit); current market value: at least $5000 to $10,000
TRS-80 Model 1 (Tandy, 1977). Estimated units sold: hundreds of thousands; original price: $599; current market value: $25 to $250
TRS-80 Model 100 (Tandy, 1983). Estimated units sold: 6 million; original price: $799; current market value: $25 to $200
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