As AI grips world, the thrill of collecting vintage computers is growing
Summary
A growing community of collectors is restoring and celebrating vintage computers as interest in computing history rises alongside the AI boom. Festivals in Silicon Valley and beyond are drawing thousands of enthusiasts, with rare machines like the Apple-1 fetching huge sums.
Key Points
- Vintage computer collecting is growing as enthusiasts preserve machines that helped launch the digital revolution.
- The Vintage Computer Festival in Mountain View drew more than 3,500 attendees and marked Apple's 50th anniversary.
- Collectors restore iconic systems such as the Xerox Alto, which helped pioneer the graphical user interface.
- Organizers say festivals, workshops, and swap meets are expanding across North America, South America, and Europe.
