Osborne systems

[BassGuitari]

A couple of weeks ago I acquired a whole pile of old PC stuff from a friend who was rummaging it off - hundreds of disks, manuals, and assorted parts. Mixed in was a bunch of Osborne stuff, including a couple of sets of Osborne 4 system disks (including assorted software like CP/M, WordStar, D-Base II, SuperCalc, CBASIC/MBASIC, and a game called Desperation), a couple of sets of user manuals, CP/M manuals, and programming manuals, a boxed Comm-Pac, boxed Starter Pac, and some binders/sleeves/cases for manuals and software. No Osborne computer, unfortunately; apparently that got sold about a decade ago. Most of the manuals are for the Osborne 4, which cursory research tells me went by the name Vixen.

I never really thought about Osbornes before but this has me curious. I don't have a CP/M machine (unless you count the TRS-80 Model II), and I've been kicking myself for not buying a Kaypro for $25 a VCF a few years back. Having all this stuff now, would it be worth it to track down an Osborne (and if so, what's a fair price I should expect to pay?), or would I be better off just trading/selling it?

[Retro-Z]

Man, if you just want an Osborne for the sheer novelty of owning one of the first "portable" computers, then go for it. But if you intend to actually use the thing, I suggest you go back to looking for a Kaypro. Something like an Osborne 4 is pretty esoteric, even for vintage C/PM computers. Kaypro computers are a lot more common, the cases always look pretty nice and are easy to clean up, and they are actually pretty durable.

 

Something to consider... an Osborne 4 is pretty different from the earlier Osborne computers. They finally figured out that tiny screen was a FAIL.

[Bill Loguidice]

I have an Osborne Executive (OCC-2) and Osborne Osborne 1 (OCC-1). They're both fun if you're into that sort of thing, but I do tend to prefer the Kaypro systems for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the larger screen (I have a Kaypro 4 '84 and three II's). With that said, they're both more or less the same type of computer (the various models of each), so, in my opinion, since you already have a start on an Osborne 4 (Vixen), there would be no reason not to go for that one other than the difficulty in finding one and the relative expense. Also, if you are somehow able to find a working one for a somewhat reasonable price, it does have a cool design and bigger screen than the previous Osborne models. The easier path though is just to get a Kaypro, since they're far more common and would end up costing you less (keeping in mind that does nothing about the materials you've acquired).

[BassGuitari]

Yeah, after investigating a bit further, it's looking like Kaypro is the way to go.

[MarkO]

Yeah, after investigating a bit further, it's looking like Kaypro is the way to go.

It should be easier to Acquire One... I was given an Osborn I, and the Disks actually boot!!!

 

MarkO