When purchasing vintage or obsolete computer tech, there is eBay and everywhere else. The challenge with eBay is that as much as you like to think everything is in perfect working order, that isn’t always the case.
This warning aside, eBay remains the best place on the internet to purchase obsolete technology to easily add to your growing collection. As someone who loves retro everything, I’ve spent many hours surfing through eBay, looking lovingly at the Commodore 64 alongside other obsolete tech nobody truly appreciates anymore.
Commodore 64
If you’re after a Commodore 64 model, close to 295 auctions are available as of early October 2024. While prices and conditions vary, many auctions like this one offer the complete package, including the box. Best of all, according to the seller, it’s been fully tested.
Apple Macintosh
As a dedicated Apple user, looking back at the Apple Macintosh reminds me of some of Apple’s most exciting days. Steve Jobs would welcome this listing, which is looking to sell the Model M5011 with the box for a starting price of $279. What a deal!
James Bond Watch
The original “smartwatch,” this vintage Seiko smartwatch, is obsolete but also super cool. Available through this eBay listing, you can own one of the smallest televisions in the world. Worn in the 1983 movie Octopussy, this watch won’t come cheap, but it’s worth it for any Bond collector.
Sony Walkman WM-1
Although the Sony Walkman has been obsolete for over twenty years, they are still super cool. As this listing says, if the Walkman is truly in “perfect working order,” you can still use it. Of course, you must have a couple of cassettes lying around.
Nintendo Game Boy
The original Nintendo Game Boy set up the portable gaming market that is still popular today. Through this listing, you can own an original Game Boy that has been upgraded to offer an IPS display. This means the original body but a much-improved screen.
Polaroid Camera
While you can still buy pseudo-polaroid cameras today, they are inferior to the original and now obsolete models. This listing offers a vintage Polaroid 600 instant camera for a cheap price that you can fix up and use like new. Hours of fun would be had if you can get this in your hands.
Betamax Player
The original competitor to VHS, Betamax, may have lost the home video fight, but you can still own this obsolete piece of technology. This listing offers a Sony Super Betamax Model SL-HF360 that works without a remote. Hopefully, you have a couple of Betamax videos on hand already.
Original iPod
The iPod helped set the stage for the iPhone and Apple’s market resurgence, and you can still own the very first iPod today. This listing offers the 2001 iPod with the scroll wheel in good working condition. It’s a reminder of a time when holding 1,000 songs in your pocket felt like a revolutionary idea.
Palm Organizer
Before smartphones were a reality, there was the Palm organizer, and the Palm IIIxe was one of the original models that helped the company grow. If you have fond memories of this product or any Palm product, own one today through this listing. Best of all, it’s factory sealed.
Typewriter
The rise of the personal computer almost immediately ended America and the world’s love affair with the typewriter. While you can still find these in the wild occasionally, the computer has made them obsolete. This is why owning this listing for a rare Smith Corona typewriter is an auction you can’t miss.
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