Tag Archives: Computers

8-Bit Guy: How Atari 8-Bit Computers Work!

The classic Atari 8-bit computers were the ’80s equivalent of a mullet: business up front, party in the back. Designed to handle both serious computing and wild gaming adventures, they came in models like the Atari 400 (the “starter pack”) and the Atari 800 (the “big boss”). These machines looked so sleek for their time that you’d half expect them to transform into a DeLorean if you pressed the right key combination. With their vibrant graphics and bleepy-bloopy soundtracks, they made even the most mundane spreadsheet tasks feel like they were happening in a disco-themed galaxy far, far away.

But let’s talk quirks. The Atari 400 had a keyboard that was basically a glorified sheet of plastic—great for wiping off crumbs, not so great for typing anything longer than your name without cramping up. The Atari 800, on the other hand, boasted actual keys and expansion slots, which made you feel like you were piloting the Starship Enterprise. And then there were the peripherals: cassette drives that took ages to load a game (but hey, what’s an extra 20 minutes for Donkey Kong?), and floppy disks that weren’t as floppy as their name suggested. Yet despite their quirks, Atari 8-bit computers were beloved for their versatility, pioneering features, and their uncanny ability to turn a living room into a techno wonderland. You didn’t just own an Atari—you joined a club of pixel pioneers who knew how to have fun in 8-bit style.

Dozens of Apple computers rescued! #BarnFind

Tales of Weird Stuff takes a long road trip through Washington State to Spokane to rescue a truck load of classic Apple computers. This is wild!

Apple computers are not only known for their sleek designs and cutting-edge technology, but some models have become rare, highly collectible, and seriously expensive. Here are 5 of the rarest or most expensive Apple computers:

1. Apple I (1976)

The holy grail of vintage computing! Only about 200 of these were ever made, and even fewer exist today. Hand-built by Steve Wozniak in Steve Jobs’ garage, this computer came as a motherboard kit, no case or keyboard included (DIY vibes, right?). One of these relics sold for $905,000 in 2014, making it the equivalent of owning a tech museum in your living room.

2. Apple Lisa 1 (1983)

The Apple Lisa was like the overachieving older sibling to the Macintosh. It was the first personal computer with a graphical user interface, which is why it cost as much as a decent car back then—about $10,000. Nowadays, a working Lisa 1 can go for $50,000–$100,000 depending on condition. It’s basically the computer equivalent of saying, “I bought Bitcoin in 2009.”

3. Twentieth Anniversary Macintosh (1997)

When Apple hit the 20-year mark, they decided to throw themselves a party and released this luxury limited-edition Mac. It came with a Bose sound system and a price tag of $7,500. Now, they’re collector’s items worth $10,000–$15,000. Owning one is like saying, “I appreciated the finer things in life… even in 1997.”

4. Macintosh 128K (1984)

The OG Mac, the one that started it all. It was the first Mac with a graphical interface and mouse, making it the apple of every tech geek’s eye (pun intended). While they originally sold for $2,495, a mint-condition one in the original packaging can fetch upwards of $5,000–$10,000 today. Think of it as vintage, but make it tech chic.

5. Apple II (1977)

This one was a big deal—it basically brought personal computing to the masses. With its sleek (for the time) design, color graphics, and a whopping 4 KB of RAM, it was the height of ‘70s tech sophistication. Depending on condition and whether it’s a first-gen model, it can go for anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000 now. The computer that once ran “Oregon Trail” is now worth more than your actual trail-running shoes.

Owning one of these machines isn’t just about having a rare piece of tech history—it’s about flaunting that you’re an Apple superfan with a time-traveling wallet!