What to do with my PB540c?

July 8, 2013 9:30 AM

This morning I heard a story on NPR that the first ever Apple desktop computer is being auctioned at $600,000ish! I own a PB540c, the first laptop Apple ever made (yes I'm that old and yes I've been an Apple supporter that long). I keep dragging the dang thing around with me, mostly for nostalgic reasons, I think. So now I'm facing yet another move, and was cleaning out my office. I looked at that old laptop and wondered: should I take it with me again? Maybe it will be worth something one day? Truthfully, I'm a minimalist and don't like a lot of "stuff." But somehow I can't seem to part with this useless piece of grey plastic and funky old computer parts. Do you think Apple's PB540c will ever have any value, or should I just chuck it alright already? And get over it.
posted by zagyzebra to Computers & Internet (13 answers total)

Does yours still work? I thought I heard that part of why the particular Apple I that is in the news was so expensive is that it still runs.
posted by stopgap at 9:32 AM on July 8, 2013

The PB540c is not the first laptop Apple ever made, and no, it is never going to be as valuable as the Apple 1.
posted by destructive cactus at 9:32 AM on July 8, 2013 [9 favorites]

Yeah, I'd chuck it (in an electronics recycling bin, of course, or to a new home). The 540c is not even close to the first laptop Apple ever made (or even the first one with a colour screen), and will almost certainly not be a collectible in the foreseeable future.
posted by liquado at 9:36 AM on July 8, 2013

Oh I should have Googled — even from image searches, it's pretty obvious that you're talking about a mid-1990s computer. The 540c wasn't even the first model in the 500 series. It looks like it was made in maybe 1994 or 1995. Unfortunately, your Power Book probably has negative value since you would have to pay to have it recycled. Get rid of it without guilt.
posted by stopgap at 9:44 AM on July 8, 2013

Chuck it. The Apple I is valuable for many reasons, but none of those apply to your laptop.
posted by Capa at 9:46 AM on July 8, 2013 [3 favorites]

Even if you had a Macintosh Portable instead of a 500 series powerbook, I'd still be leaning to the "chuck it" response.
posted by radwolf76 at 9:49 AM on July 8, 2013

You could probably get 10-50 on Ebay, or $25-50 on Craigslist, assuming it works. I would go the second route.
posted by Slinga at 9:50 AM on July 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

It is the first laptop to be equipped with a trackpad, so it's a novelty, and is considered a milestone in computer design. It may be worth a couple bucks (as in no more than $50 or so) on eBay to a collector.

If you were using it, as a retro-computing toy, a no-distractions writing workstation or as a Linux system to tinker with or to use as a server, keep it. It's a nifty thing. It will never be worth a gajillion bucks, sadly...
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:56 AM on July 8, 2013

Even if you had a Macintosh Portable instead of a 500 series powerbook, I'd still be leaning to the "chuck it" response.

I dunno about that. A prototype Macintosh Portable is currently going for $2000 at Christie's, suggesting even a non-prototype could be worth finding a buyer for rather than simply recycling it.

But yes, the 540c is, alas, a mass market item of no particular value.
posted by jedicus at 10:04 AM on July 8, 2013

Right now the bid price is only at $320,000 with less than a day to go. It's a steal!
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:56 AM on July 8, 2013 [1 favorite]

Jedicus, I recently was narrowly outbid getting a portable for $50ish. The winning bid was something like $68 and definitely under $100. I don't even think it breached $100 with shipping.

The prototypes might be worth something, but no one cares about the regular ones... Yet.

Even most fairly interesting "lunchbox" style 80s/early 90s laptops with the guts behind the screen and a pop-off keyboard can be had for pennies.

The time hasn't come for this stuff yet. And I'm not sure if it ever will for the 540c. I'd recycle it just like I did with my 1400c, 9500, and quadras/performas that predated yours. Hell, I got rid of my black and white original 100 series PowerBooks because I just didnt see the point and it wasn't worth the space. I doubt I'll ever regret it.
posted by emptythought at 1:38 PM on July 8, 2013

Low End Mac is the go-to source for information about vintage Macs. They publish the specs for the PB540c here.

We had a PB 540c where I used to work. I would sign it out for "research purposes" and then use it to play Strategic Conquest while riding home on the train. Good times, good times.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 1:49 PM on July 8, 2013 [2 favorites]

I think you should keep it if you like it. Maybe someday it could be a modding project; that could be pretty cool with a Raspberry Pi inside and an updated screen, if that were possible.
posted by limeonaire at 8:22 PM on July 8, 2013