VintageComputer.ca Blog
Vector Graphic Vector 1++
The Vector 1++ computer from Vector Graphic was a recent acquisition. I cleaned up the dust on the motherboard and am in the process of restoring it. Unfortunately, in transit via UPS, the internal...
TEI Special Systems Group S-100 computer
This is another S-100 based computer within a TEI Special Systems Group chassis. It has a 22 slot TEI Systems S-100 back plane and includes several cards . Below is a list of cards...
IBM 7690 Nursing station – Yup, it’s a PS/2
I was able to acquire an IBM 7690 Nursing Station computer terminal from a friend that had two. Both are in the same condition in that they do not boot up properly. The battery...
HP 9830a keyboard – Cherry key switches
These are pictures of Cherry switches from an HP 9380a calculator/computer.
Vintage IBM 3277 keyboard with internal Micro Switch keyboard assembly
I recently acquired an IBM keyboard that was pretty dirty but I felt I could clean it up and refurbish it quite nicely. I knew this to be an old IBM keyboard but there...
IBM PC Model F keyboards
Keyboard 1 (small scratch on back, one foot missing. Front looks awesome. Cord is almost excellent) Keyboard 2 (small abrasion on back, two feet missing. Front looks awesome. Cord has expanded coils) Keyboard...
Vintage Cherry Solid-State Capacitive keyboard – KFN3-8358
This keyboard was purchased at the same time as a Cherry model KFN3-8351 keyboard that looks almost exactly like this Cherry Solid State capacitive keyboard except for the model number. Once the key caps...
Vintage Cherry Solid-State Capacitive keyboard – KFN3-8351
I was able to acquire two interesting Cherry keyboards that were a bit of a mystery. One keyboard had a broken key switch (shown here) that caused days of research and theories… The other...
IBM 5161 Expansion Unit
Some time back, I acquired an IBM 5161 expansion unit that adds extra capacity to the original IBM PC model 5150. The 5150 only had 5 expansion slots and two full-height 5.25″ floppy drives...
Lear Siegler ADM 3A terminal
I recently acquired a Lear Siegler ADM 3A terminal and I was thrilled. This is one of the quintessential terminals of it’s day and if one ever mentions “terminal” to someone who’s been around...
IBM Model M SSK Upper/Lower Case Key Cap set
I found an IBM Model M key cap set on eBay that looked rather interesting. It included both uppercase characters (as is the norm) but it also included lower case characters on the same...
STM Pied Piper computer
This is another Canadian computer from Semi-Tech Microelectronics Corporation (STM) called the Pied Piper that looks a little worse for wear but the paint wearing down actually exposes a metallic finish underneath. This is ...
Vintage Alps AKB-3420 Keyboard
The Alps AKB-3420 keyboard was built for early 80’s S-100 computers as these generally had toggle switches for data entry and led blinking lights for output. If someone wanted a monitor and keyboard, one...
MOS Commodore KIM-1
I was very happy to find a blue PCB version of a KIM-1 computer some time ago. I have a couple of different versions but this KIM-1 is Revision E. More information is available...
IBM vs Apple: A display of vintage juxtaposition
This is a combination of two items that sits on the mantel of my fireplace. One item is an old 1950s IBM 701 vacuum tube component that I wanted to display but couldn’t quite...
What did “mobile apps” look like 35 years ago?
Today as I fiddled with my phone and checked Reddit, I walked by my very small collection of vintage Mattel Electronic games and thought to myself, “Those were the mobile apps from 35 years...
Vintage Cray Research keyboard (made by Ampex)
This Cray Research keyboard that was manufactured by Ampex is the first keyboard I bought for historical interest sake and is NOT a keyboard for which I have the matching terminal. I’d love to...