New Zealand Vintage Computer Forums

Hi,

A quick question which some on this group might know. A researcher contacted me today. He looking at some old sales data has a "Home Computer" listed at $605 and wants to identify the computer. Anyone know what this could be? I'm thinking either Amiga 500, one of the Atari ST models or even the Commodore 64. I wasn't paying attention to prices for that period in the day, and have no literature with prices cited.

One a related note, there is also a "Home Computer Monitor" listed at $680. Would it be one specific for one of the machines above?

To the best of my knowledge (I was four at the time...) the Amiga 500 was at least three times that price at the time.

Amstrad CPC range might be worth considering too.

I don't know what the exchange rate was NZD to GBP but here's a computer magazine from April 1988.

http://archive.org/stream/your-computer ... 3/mode/2up

There's an Atari ST there for 260 pounds.
Interesting how the adverts are much more about software in '88 versus '82

SpidersWeb wrote:Amstrad CPC range might be worth considering too.

Hmm..possibly. Were Amstrads still around in November 1988 though?

matsondawson wrote:I don't know what the exchange rate was NZD to GBP but here's a computer magazine from April 1988.

http://archive.org/stream/your-computer ... 3/mode/2up

There's an Atari ST there for 260 pounds.
Interesting how the adverts are much more about software in '88 versus '82

Thanks. Yes, I see what you mean.

tezza wrote:

SpidersWeb wrote:Amstrad CPC range might be worth considering too.

Hmm..possibly. Were Amstrads still around in November 1988 though?

Amstrad PC1512 Mono was around £437 Inc of Vat single drive unit
If you look for thye RPM advert in the mag they should be listed.

Found advert on page 43 also noted that the PCW9512 were £485 ex Vat or the PC8256 started from £185 ex Vat

I also thought it was interesting to see that the Atari STFM .5meg was on sale for £259.95 while the Amiga A500 cost £439.00

Of course the 520STFM would be cheap as chips - Jack liked gouging the competition

That price could be based on a broad range of criteria. Dependant upon which seller it was purchased through - some may have been running a special at the time, some may have upped the price. Then there's the possibility of a personal sale from someone via Trade and Exchange.

The problem here is that the $605 may not even remotely reflect the actual price of the item... That makes it kinda hard... But its fun to take a stab anyway and probably learn a little historical info at the same time.

No - I have no clue. 1988 I was still using my speccy, and my friend had an Amstrad. At the time, we were programming a spectrum tape loader for his Amstrad. I can't recall why - I think it was just a nerdy thing to do. Anyway - sorry - took that one way OT for a moment there.

That said - Amstrad did release the PC 1512 in 1988. I recall that could possibly be a similar cost if you add in the monitor as well. Just a thought - it could be classed as a home computer (that "Family PC" thing and all). Of course, could have also been a 6128 + screen as well...

kevman3d wrote:That said - Amstrad did release the PC 1512 in 1988. I recall that could possibly be a similar cost if you add in the monitor as well. Just a thought - it could be classed as a home computer (that "Family PC" thing and all). Of course, could have also been a 6128 + screen as well...

Right. Thanks.

tezza wrote:A researcher contacted me today. He looking at some old sales data has a "Home Computer" listed at $605 and wants to identify the computer.

There's no more information than that? A year? A retailer? Otherwise I suspect the question will have several answers.

Nope, that's all there is.

BTW, the researcher is working for Statistics NZ looking at the components that fed into the consumer price index. Home computers were added in late 1988, but there was no other description of a "home computer" other than the database category and the price! This is why he is trying to find out more.

In 1988 a home computer to me wouldn't be a PC compatible, to me it would be Commodore 64/128, Amstrad CPC6128, Atari or Amiga etc etc.

Anyone have a Bits and Bytes mag from 1988?

SpidersWeb wrote:In 1988 a home computer to me wouldn't be a PC compatible, to me it would be Commodore 64/128, Amstrad CPC6128, Atari or Amiga etc etc.

Absolutely. And it was confirmed by others above. Those are the models I suggested to them but I forgot about the Amstrads. (I have let them know since).

SpidersWeb wrote:Anyone have a Bits and Bytes mag from 1988?

My NZ Bits and Bytes run out on Feb, 1988 but by that time it had become very business-oriented. The only ads I could find were for PC-compatibles and Macs.

Just to give you the latest update, the researcher sent someone to check mags etc. in the library. Thy found some ads and confirmed that the models above were the home computers at that time Some of the various bundles (mostly the C64) were within the ball park of those original figures.