Value of a PDP/8?

[Andrew Back]

Thanks for the replies... I should have guessed at the value of a 
Straight-8 given I too have never seen one for sale and their form is of 
somewhat iconic status.

An 8/E would seem much more pragmatic, and the cost from a reseller if 
still stocked and not risen too much pallatable. Will look into it more 
and the benefits before decided to part with other kit.

Incidentally the first computer I owned (a 2U high PDP11/03 IIRC) had an 
RX02 drive. Well, it actually came with some RL drives too but my dad 
reckoned mother would kill both of us if we brought those back too. The 
whole lot (with lots of floppy, RL and tape media, and docs) was 50 
UK pounds from a radio amateur rally (when I was 14yo, around 1989). As 
it happened the machine had to go anyway - every time I accessed the 
floppy drive the motor interfered with the TV downstairs and I got 
shouted at! But was way cooler than my dad's Amstrad PCW8512...

Andrew

----------------
Andrew Back
a at smokebelch.org

On Fri, 9 Mar 2007, Vincent Slyngstad wrote:

>> OK, so this is a pretty dumb question, but what is the 'value' of a typical 
>> PDP/8? Now I appreciate that configuration can vary wildly and beyond that 
>> it is a matter of one what can be located for or what your prepared to pay, 
>> luck and circumstance etc.
>
> I think the standard answer is "whatever it's worth to you" :-).
> There's a fair bit of variance in the prices of the rarer gear, depending on 
> the venue and the demand at any particular moment.
>
>> In terms of basic model I was thinking either a Straight-8 or PDP8/E.
>
> There's a world of difference between what those two are worth, I think.
>
>> Now I know only a few years ago a reseller had a number of the latter in 
>> stock, tested, for about 400 UK pounds each. Albeit likely with no 
>> peripherals, just the card cage and some sort of base config.
>
> That sounds about right.  I'd guess an 8/E would go for $1000US give or take 
> a couple hundred on ePay.  (They also appear there several times a year, 
> which helps stabilize prices.)
>
> A straight-8 would probably go for 3-5 times that.  I've never seen one 
> available, though, so there might be some pent-up demand leading to a bidding 
> war (and even higher prices).  I don't have much hope of ever getting a 
> straight-8 for my collection.  (I also dont have room for one, so I'd also 
> have to get rid of other stuff to make space for it.)
>
> eBay is considered an "expensive" venue, but generally has the most stuff 
> available.
>
>> I've always wanted to own an 8 and have recently been considering the idea 
>> of trading some less easy to run equipment.
>
> They're not at all practical, but I like them :-).
>
> Another point is that you will have a bit of trouble locating peripherals for 
> them.  The easiest peripherals to find are the ones also used on pdp-11's. 
> Terminals and RX02 are obtainable
> for an 8/E pretty easily, the RX8E controller boards are around, but sought 
> after.  Peripherals for a straight-8 would be more of an issue.  (Well, a 
> terminal would probably be reasonably easy :-).)
>
>   Vince
>