Unusual Powerbook find, need help!

desertized · Mar 29, 2007

Hello! Our small business has been using Macs all of our 17 years in business. I manage the company and our owner gave me permission to sell all these old Mac's (we change out every 3-5 years or so) that have accumulated over our history. Aside from the six desktops and monitors that I am going to sell I found what I think is an unusual item. In our storage area I came across this and I want to see if anyone that knows Powerbooks and Mac's better than I could possible point me in the right direction on what to do with it.

I found a 1993-4 Macintosh Powerbook 180c that has never been used. I have all the original parts and documents and box. The machine was taken out of the box and placed in brand new Targus notebook carry bag (also never used) with the adaptor. The install disks were never used, the manual has never even been opened and the video cable is still in the plastic inside it's box. Inside the "Accessories Box" there is not even a single wrinkle in any of the paperwork, from the packing slip on down. You can even tell the manual has never been opened. All is accounted for and I have taken about 50 photo's in case anyone wants to take a look.

The Powerbook and adaptor was inside the Targus bag was just lying there covered in dust, and the accessories box was inside other boxes. I put two and two together and matched them. I went to our owner and he says to me "Oh. Is that the laptop I never used?" He is unbelievable that way. I just don't think there are a lot of 180c's that have never even been booted up...am I right?

My questions now (sorry for the tedious background)...

1. Is it worth anything to anyone? Collectors maybe?

2. Should I install with the seven floppy disks to see if it functions or should I just leave it as it is right now.

3. Who the heck should I contact about this? Is there a resource for this type of item? I just have no clue to be honest. We love our Mac's here at work but none of us really understand the culture that is out there.

Maybe I am just not searching correctly, but I can't really find an answer online and I thought this would be a good spot to ask the questions.

Thanks for reading my amateurish plea for help!

- Desertized

Aptmunich · Mar 29, 2007

There's some going on ebay, so I'd see what they go for.

desertized · Mar 29, 2007

I did have a look there

and thanks for the reply. Ebay does not have an unused item like this with all the original stuff still intact and in perfect condition. To be clear, I am not looking to sell this through this forum, I am just hoping somebody would know where to go or who to talk to about getting an appraisal. It might be worth next to nothing or it might be fairly valuable...I really don't know. My searches have not turned anything up. In fact I can't even find an unused, brand new 180c listed/mentioned anywhere on the net.

I am in no hurry. Hopefully somebody that understands this stuff will come across my post.

Thanks!

dtravis7 · Mar 29, 2007

Not sure what it's worth anymore. The fact it's new and never used might attract a collector. I will do some looking around and get back to you if I find anything concrete. I have a Power Book 170 and the 180c is nicer but from the same era. I know the machine well but just not sure what it's worth even in the shape it's in.

Will get back to you.

This URL will give you the specs and info about it.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook/stats/mac_powerbook180c.html

http://lowendmac.com/pb/180c.shtml

D3v1L80Y · Mar 29, 2007

1. Is it worth anything to anyone? Collectors maybe?
It is worth about what any decade old computer is. More or less... nothing. This isn't rare or hard to find, so not even a 'collector' is going to pay anything near top-dollar for.

2. Should I install with the seven floppy disks to see if it functions or should I just leave it as it is right now.
Might be fun, why not?

3. Who the heck should I contact about this? Is there a resource for this type of item?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=112212

http://www.lowendmac.com/pb/180c.shtml

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook/stats/mac_powerbook180c.html

dtravis7 · Mar 29, 2007

DB, I know some quite CRAZY collectors! They pay WAY too much for some old stuff. I collect old systems but will not pay a lot. Not worth it to me for yesterdays technology. I would say my 170 would probably get $25 on ebay Max.

D3v1L80Y · Mar 29, 2007

dtravis7 said:
DB, I know some quite CRAZY collectors! They pay WAY too much for some old stuff.

That isn't a collector.... that is an idiot. :black:
NONE of the old Macs are hard to find. The only Apple computer that is scarce is the Lisa (which isn't a Mac). I have literally seen the 180 PB sell at 100 bucks for a twelve machines on ebay....12 computers for a C-Note... it doesn't get much closer to the "dime a dozen" bit that that. :black:

technologist · Mar 29, 2007

In this world, stuff is worth whatever someone will pay for it. I'm sure there's some schmuck out there who would be willing to part with his firstborn if he could get his mitts on the only like-new 180c left on this planet.

Ebay is your best bet. But don't get your hopes up.

desertized · Mar 29, 2007

Thank you everyone!...

Tech, DB (my nickname on a college football forum actually, confused me for a second) and Travis and everyone else thanks for the response! I think the best bet now is just create the best listing I can, leave it up for two weeks and let the chips fall where they may. If a collector wants it great, if a re-seller great, just was looking for some ideas on where to go and this helped. Might get a few bucks for it while I am at, and I did see this one go for $150 (and mine blows this one away) so who knows!

Much appreciated everyone!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Macintosh...temZ140097066960QQcategoryZ4606QQcmdZViewItem

Sheehan · Mar 29, 2007

Post a link to your Ebay listing when its up. I may bid on it.

desertized · Mar 29, 2007

Thanks, I will do that...

and it should be up by tomorrow.