Filip Brož Most of the computers that come into my hands are non-functional and I have to repair them, says collector Michael Vita from Zlín. He only fell under the spell of Apple last August and started collecting the first generations of old Apple computers. He currently has around forty machines with the bitten apple logo in his collection.
I think it must have been a rather sudden and impulsive decision to start collecting old Apple computers from day to day, right?
Definitely. I generally get excited about something very quickly and then pay maximum attention to it. It all started with the idea that I would like to have an old Macintosh Classic on my desk at work, which I did, but then things went awry.
So I understand correctly that you have been interested in Apple for a little over a year?
I've been collecting computers since August 2014, but I became interested in Apple in general back in 2010, when Steve Jobs introduced the first generation iPad. I really liked it and had to have it. However, over time I stopped enjoying it and I put it in the closet. It was only later that I went back to it again and found that it was still working. Otherwise, my first Apple computer was a Mac mini from 2010, which I still use at work today.
Is it hard to find an older Apple piece these days?
How to. Personally, I prefer to buy computers at home, so I don't order anything from foreign servers like eBay. All the computers I have in my collection were purchased from us.
How are you doing it? The Czech Apple community is quite small, let alone that someone has old computers at home...
It's a lot about luck. I often just sit at a search engine and type in keywords like Macintosh, sale, old computers. I most often buy on servers such as Aukro, Bazoš, Sbazar, and I also got a few pieces at the bazaar on Jablíčkář.
You said that the vast majority of computers are broken and broken so you try to fix them?
I used to just collect them and just like you say, now I'm trying to get them up and running. Whenever I manage to find a new addition, I first completely disassemble it, clean it and reassemble it. Subsequently, I find out what spare parts need to be bought and what I need to repair.
Are spare parts still sold at all, for example for the old Classic or Apple II?
It is not easy and I have to find most things abroad. I have a few computers in my collection, for example an old Macintosh IIcx has a faulty graphics card, which unfortunately I can no longer get. Finding spare parts is at least as difficult as finding old computers.
How do you even take apart and repair computers? Do you use any instructions, or do you disassemble according to intuition?
There's a lot on the iFixit site. I also search a lot on the Internet, sometimes I can find something there. I have to figure out the rest myself and it's often trial and error. You would be surprised, for example, that some pieces are held together by just one screw, for example a Macintosh IIcx.
Do you have any idea how many people in the Czech Republic collect Apple computers?
I know a few people personally, but I can safely say that I could count them all on the fingers of one hand. The largest private collection is owned by a father and son from Brno, who have around eighty Apple computers at home in excellent condition, twice as many as I have.
What can we find in your collection?
I set some priorities early on, for example that I would only collect the first generations of each model. I have also decided that the maximum amount for one computer will not exceed five thousand crowns and I will not collect iPhones, iPads or iPods. Sometimes, however, it cannot be done without breaking some principle, so I don't have completely strict rules in the end.
For example, I currently have a collection of early Macintoshes, iMacs, PowerBooks and PowerMacs or two Apple IIs at home. The pride of my collection is a single button mouse from 1986 signed by Steve Wozniak himself. Of course, I don't have everything yet, and I'll probably never get an Apple I like that. At the same time, I avoid products from the time when Apple did not have Steve Jobs.
Do you have a dream computer that you would like to add to your collection? If we exclude the aforementioned Apple I.
I would love to get a Lisa and complete my Apple II collection. I wouldn't disparage the first generation iPod either, because it was a really polished piece.
You have a mouse signed by Steve Wozniak, but I guess it's more Steve Jobs for you?
You'll be surprised, but it's Wozniak. I'm more of a technical guy and Woz has always been much closer to me. The iWoz book changed my opinion. I really like being able to dig inside the computer, seeing how everything is precisely and neatly placed, including the wonderful signatures of all the Apple developers at the time engraved inside. It always gives me great nostalgia and the old days. Old computers have their own specific stench, which somehow smells mysterious to me (laughs).
Nice. You totally convinced me to buy an old Macintosh right away.
Not a problem. Just be patient and search. Many people in our country have old computers somewhere in their attic or basement and don't even know about it. By this I mean that in general Apple is not a recent fad, but people have been actively using these computers before.
For example, have you tried plugging in an Apple II and actively using it to do some work?
Tried but unfortunately they are often very slow and the apps are incompatible so I hardly ever play anything. It is not a problem to write a document or create a table, but it is worse to somehow transfer it to today's systems. You have to export it in different ways, transfer it via diskettes and the like. So it's not worth it at all. Rather, it's nice to just play around with it and enjoy the old and beautiful machine.
I can think of one more, relatively simple question about your collecting - why do you actually collect old computers?
Paradoxically, this is probably the worst question you can ask a collector (smiles). So far, no one has told me I'm crazy, and most people understand my enthusiasm, but it's simply about desire and love for Apple. You probably know what I'm talking about, but it's pure fandom. Of course, it is also a certain investment that will one day have its value. Otherwise, I officially say that I quit smoking, and I was a very heavy smoker, and I invest the saved money in Apple. So I also have a good excuse (laughs).
Have you ever thought about selling your collection?
Definitely not the whole thing. Maybe just some uninteresting pieces, but I'll definitely keep the rare ones. I have all my computers in a special room at home, it's like my little Apple corner, full of showcases with technology. I also have accessories including Apple apparel, posters and books. Anyway, I want to continue collecting computers and will see what I do with it in the future. My children will probably inherit everything one day.
Is there any way people can view your collection or at least get a behind-the-scenes look?
I work on social networks, on Twitter people can find me under a nickname @VitaMailo. I also have a lot of photos, including videos, on Instagram, I'm like there @mailo_vita. In addition, I also have my own website AppleCollection.net and I also had my collection on display at the iDEN conference. I firmly believe that I will also attend an Apple conference in the future and I would love to show people my best pieces.
nice..:) the mouse with Woz's signature is a really beautiful piece! I'd almost guess that the author had to break his rule about five thousand a piece with her.. or not? :)
Hello, he did not break :)
The mouse cost about CZK 2 including postage. Wozniak has his own "e-shop" where he sells a bunch of signed things. Or it is also possible to have anything of yours signed by him and with a dedication. That works out to $500 + postage there and back.
Hello too, thanks for the reply and the interesting information ;)
I wish you many interesting pieces for the collection! :)
Very nice interview! Thanks and cheers!
Thanks?
fighter. My first was a G4 Powerbook and since then I've only had Apple