The NABU Personal Computers: A Remarkable Opportunity
A 1980s PC is box fresh and powered by the same Z80 processor as some of the most iconic computers from that era, and you can buy 2,200 of them for just $120 each. That’s right, you can purchase these NABU Personal Computers from Massachusetts man James Pellegrini, who originally sold them in 1983 and 1984. Now, at long last, the PCs are being offered as new old stock in box.
Pellegrini originally sold the NABU PCs as new items back in the 1980s, and now, at long last, they’re being sold as new old stock in box. Each unit is box fresh, and Pellegrini opens each one to verify that it boots before shipping. The seller says that each machine is also furnished with a full keyboard.
The NABU PCs are being sold on eBay, with over 500 selling for $120 each. Pellegrini says that he originally acquired all remaining stock of NABU in 1989 with the intention of creating a telephone exchange system for small businesses. The idea never really took off, and the 2,200 PCs were stored in a neighbor’s barn for 33 years.
Due to structural problems with the barn, Pellegrini had to sell the NABU PCs. Thankfully, a community has emerged and managed to revive the NABU network using an internet adapter, making the machines fully functional again. The machines’ remarkable condition and the fact that they can relive the early age of computing make them a nostalgic treasure for PC enthusiasts.
The article highlights that the NABU PCs offer a remarkable opportunity to experience the birth of PC gaming and the internet firsthand. While the machines boot, Pellegrini says that their full functionality requires the cable TV-enabled network, which is no longer available.
In spite of this limitation, the NABU PCs are still being snapped up. If you’re looking to get your hands on a piece of vintage computing history, you can check out the NABU PC eBay listings here.
