Videogamecollector123 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 I'm looking for a computer for my desk an right now I'm thinking between a Commodore 64 or the Macintosh 128K(be interesting next to a Vectrex). However I don't know that much about the Macintosh and if it isn't that great for games then it's not what I'm looking for. Also if it's good for gaming, would someone tell me some of the titles I can look at and any necessary accessories? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
channelmaniac Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Mac 128 had black and white video with stippling for shades... poor choice for gaming as it had a lot of business apps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax2069 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 (edited) I'm looking for a computer for my desk an right now I'm thinking between a Commodore 64 or the Macintosh 128K(be interesting next to a Vectrex). However I don't know that much about the Macintosh and if it isn't that great for games then it's not what I'm looking for. Also if it's good for gaming, would someone tell me some of the titles I can look at and any necessary accessories? The 128k Mac has its limits, i would go after a SE/30 at least because it is 8mhz faster and has a FPU (which is required for a few games)and has more memory (1mb standard 128mb max) plus has a HDD (40mb or 80mb) but still a B&W screen. to keep the same like form factor and have a colored screen you can look at and for the color classic or the color classic II (but they tend to fetch a bit at times). 128k http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_classic/stats/mac_128k.html SE/30 http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_classic/stats/mac_se30.html Color classic II http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_classic/stats/mac_colorclassic_ii.html http://www.everymac.com use that site to learn about what you want to decide to get. My first Mac was a SE/30 and i could not have been more happy with it (i eventually sold it). I replaced that with a Performa 475 and upgraded it (maxed out), makes allot better gaming 68k then a SE/30 but its not the same form factor. Performa 475 http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_performa/stats/mac_performa_475.html All that i have done to my P475 is Replaced the 25mhz 68LC040 (lacks FPU) with a full 40mhz 68040 (has FPU) 128mb stick of ram combined with the onboard 4mb totals 132mb 1mb vram ethernet card External LaCie SCSI CD burner 2gb HDD. The LC 475, Performa 475, Performa 476, Quadra 605 are all the same inside but has a slightly differentlook but still in the Pizza box form factor. Good luck in finding what you want to get. Hopefully i was helpful. Frank Edited June 4, 2010 by madmax2069 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monzamess Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 I looked down this road and think madmax is spot on. I decided I really wanted a Color Classic but then I looked at the prices they fetch and it's insane. The Performa or LC series will give you the same specs but in a "pizza box" form factor for much less money--you will have to buy a monitor too, but the total will still be much less than the Color Classic. I personally don't think you'll be happy with a b&w Mac for gaming; there were plenty of games, but Mac gaming got a lot better with color. If you're choosing between the C64 and the original Mac for games, just get the C64. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Cade Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 (edited) The C64 is *the* gaming machine for the early-to-mid 80's (and up to the 90's outside the USA). Edited June 4, 2010 by R.Cade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Videogamecollector123 Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 I looked down this road and think madmax is spot on. I decided I really wanted a Color Classic but then I looked at the prices they fetch and it's insane. The Performa or LC series will give you the same specs but in a "pizza box" form factor for much less money--you will have to buy a monitor too, but the total will still be much less than the Color Classic. I personally don't think you'll be happy with a b&w Mac for gaming; there were plenty of games, but Mac gaming got a lot better with color. If you're choosing between the C64 and the original Mac for games, just get the C64. I know the C64 has better games, I was just considering the Mac for it's all in one design. I'm not sure even what games the mac can run because me typing in Mac 128K on ebay doesn't come up with anything. But if I have to buy a monitor I'm getting a C64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 You won't be able to do much gaming on a 128K. If you want to stick with the B&W classics try and get a Classic, SE, SE/30 or even a Plus (although that will still limit you). The SE/30 is nice because it can run some games the others can't due to its speed, but it also makes some older games run too fast. I keep a Classic around in addition to my SE/30 for just such an occasion. You'll also want to pick up a HD, either external or internal as it makes a world of difference. I'm currently playing Bard's Tale on my SE/30 and loving it. It was slow as a dog on my Classic. Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oracle_jedi Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 It was Alan Kay who described the 128K Mac as a Honda Accord with a quart-size gas tank, something about being beautifully engineered, great to look at but no much use for anything. http://www.i-programmer.info/history/people/438-alan-kay.html?start=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax2069 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 (edited) There is quite a few games that will run on the old B&W Mac, more so then what some think. But granted nothing like the C64 though. There is some gems for the B&W Mac, The B&W Mac would make a great conversation piece and would look good along side the Vectrex. But there is allot more games that wont run on the B&W Mac (because you need a Mac that has a color mode or a higher screen resolution). Shipping will be a bit high for a B&W Mac. The only Color Classic Mac I see on ebay has a $549.99 price tag on it. sometimes you can find them in a forum trading post www.68kmla.com, www.Applefritter.com but chances are not likely. The SE/30 are also fetching a high price, $100 or above not including the shipping (which is $20 or more). There is currently no Pizzabox Macs on ebay. i would do a bit of forum hunting, and i would also hit up craigslist, Make a forum want post, because to me it looks like you are going to pay a arm and a leg for one on ebay. Edited June 4, 2010 by madmax2069 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monzamess Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 I know the C64 has better games, I was just considering the Mac for it's all in one design. So get an SX64. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax2069 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 I know the C64 has better games, I was just considering the Mac for it's all in one design. So get an SX64. I think he was aiming for the same like form factor here. not just any AIO computer. i can only imagine how much one would fetch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax2069 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 (edited) you will have to buy a monitor too Not really you just have to get a Mac video to VGA adapter and use a current monitor, something like this http://tinyurl.com/2uwvx5k. Damn sorry for the double post, not what i wanted to do, it seems like there is no delete option. Edited June 4, 2010 by madmax2069 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monzamess Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 I know the C64 has better games, I was just considering the Mac for it's all in one design. So get an SX64. I think he was aiming for the same like form factor here. not just any AIO computer. i can only imagine how much one would fetch. Yeah I wasn't being totally serious there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax2069 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 (edited) I know the C64 has better games, I was just considering the Mac for it's all in one design. So get an SX64. I think he was aiming for the same like form factor here. not just any AIO computer. i can only imagine how much one would fetch. Yeah I wasn't being totally serious there. Sorry i meant to put a sarcasm tag in there I guess you could set the SX64 on its side lol Edited June 4, 2010 by madmax2069 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Laird Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 This is the best 128k computer with a disk drive built in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Videogamecollector123 Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 I think I'm just going with a C64, thanks for all your input on the Mac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatta Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 You might have some luck going to the Macintosh Garden and browsing by date. Let me know what you find, I just picked up a couple $10 SE/30s which I'd like to do something with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax2069 Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 You might have some luck going to the Macintosh Garden and browsing by date. Let me know what you find, I just picked up a couple $10 SE/30s which I'd like to do something with. Yeah i already PMed him about that site, i just didn't post about it because of what the admin/mods or others might think about abandonware sites that have older non supported licensed software to download. i didn't want to break any rules (as most forums have a rule against it). They also have more newer stuff then that ( which is why i didnt provide a link openly). but if your offering a SE/30 you could offer it to him to see if he would buy one, that is if he hasn't already made up his mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Videogamecollector123 Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 You might have some luck going to the Macintosh Garden and browsing by date. Let me know what you find, I just picked up a couple $10 SE/30s which I'd like to do something with. Yeah i already PMed him about that site, i just didn't post about it because of what the admin/mods or others might think about abandonware sites that have older non supported licensed software to download. i didn't want to break any rules (as most forums have a rule against it). They also have more newer stuff then that ( which is why i didnt provide a link openly). but if your offering a SE/30 you could offer it to him to see if he would buy one, that is if he hasn't already made up his mind. Cheap enough, sure I'd buy it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Videogamecollector123 Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 You might have some luck going to the Macintosh Garden and browsing by date. Let me know what you find, I just picked up a couple $10 SE/30s which I'd like to do something with. Yeah i already PMed him about that site, i just didn't post about it because of what the admin/mods or others might think about abandonware sites that have older non supported licensed software to download. i didn't want to break any rules (as most forums have a rule against it). They also have more newer stuff then that ( which is why i didnt provide a link openly). but if your offering a SE/30 you could offer it to him to see if he would buy one, that is if he hasn't already made up his mind. Cheap enough, sure I'd buy it . However I was just doing this now as I'm starting to save up for the C64 and thought of the Mac so I just wanted to get a price point on both and see if the Mac was really worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatta Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 (edited) Heh, that wasn't what I meant at all. You'll have more fun with the C64, believe me. I hope I didn't break the rules. I wasn't actually able to find any. Edited June 4, 2010 by Hatta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akator Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 I'm looking for a computer for my desk an right now I'm thinking between a Commodore 64 or the Macintosh 128K(be interesting next to a Vectrex). Sadly, these are in the kitchen right now until my office/gameroom is finished. Still, it's an idea of what they look like next to each other. I agree with what others said about an SE/30, but I haven't found any in good condition. A Mac Plus (shown in the photo) can be found for much less and can still play tons of the old B&W games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Videogamecollector123 Posted June 5, 2010 Author Share Posted June 5, 2010 I'm looking for a computer for my desk an right now I'm thinking between a Commodore 64 or the Macintosh 128K(be interesting next to a Vectrex). Sadly, these are in the kitchen right now until my office/gameroom is finished. Still, it's an idea of what they look like next to each other. I agree with what others said about an SE/30, but I haven't found any in good condition. A Mac Plus (shown in the photo) can be found for much less and can still play tons of the old B&W games. well that solved that curiosity of mine, anyway I might get one one day I just have the question of what you SE/30 owners do for games as I can't find any on ebay. But I am getting a C64 for those who weren't clear, this thread turned out to be a lot longer then I expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax2069 Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 (edited) I'm looking for a computer for my desk an right now I'm thinking between a Commodore 64 or the Macintosh 128K(be interesting next to a Vectrex). Sadly, these are in the kitchen right now until my office/gameroom is finished. Still, it's an idea of what they look like next to each other. I agree with what others said about an SE/30, but I haven't found any in good condition. A Mac Plus (shown in the photo) can be found for much less and can still play tons of the old B&W games. well that solved that curiosity of mine, anyway I might get one one day I just have the question of what you SE/30 owners do for games as I can't find any on ebay. But I am getting a C64 for those who weren't clear, this thread turned out to be a lot longer then I expected. unfortunately they can be rather hard to get a hold of. that's why Hatta gave a link and i PMed you a link. that is really the only other way when you cant find any on ebay, again rather hard to come by. that's why MG is around (the MG site isn't what it use to be) it use to only have old Mac Games, but that version of the site is long gone. but I haven't found any in good condition. You can correct the yellowing case issue with Retrobright http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/Retr0Bright+Gel it works rather well with yellowed cases, but wont fix a beat down case. Edited June 5, 2010 by madmax2069 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmax2069 Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 (edited) Damn it, i did it again (sorry about the dbl post) Edited June 5, 2010 by madmax2069 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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