Old Silicon is devoted to the restoration of great computers that changed history

The Workstation Collection

I continue to document all my Unix bases systems but i admit I have fallen behind a bit. I currently own a SPARCstations IPC, IPX, LX, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 as well as a Sun Ultra 1 and Ultra 5, and a SunBlade 2000. I also have a NeXTstation Color, and SGI Indigo 3K and 4K, and an Indy 5K. Some of the restorations are documented below and some are still being written up. Check back and hopefully I can clear the backlog!

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Sun SPARCstation Voyager

The SPARCstation Voyager (Sun S240, code-named Gypsy) is a portable workstation sold by Sun Microsystems, introduced in 1994. It is based on the sun4m architecture and was the first SPARCStation designed to be portabl — Sun SPARCstation Voyager
The SPARCstation Voyager (Sun S240, code-named Gypsy) is a portable workstation sold by Sun Microsystems, introduced in 1994. It is based on the sun4m architecture and was the first SPARCStation designed to be portable.

Sun SPARCstation IPC

The SPARCstation IPC (Sun 4/40, code-named Phoenix) is a workstation sold by Sun Microsystems, introduced July 1990. It is based on the sun4c architecture and was the first SPARCStation to be enclosed in a lunchbox chassi — Sun SPARCstation IPC
The SPARCstation IPC (Sun 4/40, code-named Phoenix) is a workstation sold by Sun Microsystems, introduced July 1990. It is based on the sun4c architecture and was the first SPARCStation to be enclosed in a lunchbox chassis.

Silicon Graphics Indigo R4400
The Silicon Graphics R4400 is my favorite computer in the collection. It’s very nice to use (still today) and the Elan graphics package looks fantastic. I’m hoping to finish documenting this restoration that I did concurrently with the R3000 restoration soon.

Sun SPARCstation IPX

The SPARCstation IPX (Sun 4/50, code-named “Hobbes”) is a workstation that was sold by Sun Microsystems, introduced July 1991. It is based on the sun4c architecture and is enclosed in a lunchbox chassis. — Sun SPARCstation IPX
The SPARCstation IPX (Sun 4/50, code-named “Hobbes”) is a workstation that was sold by Sun Microsystems, introduced July 1991. It is based on the sun4c architecture and is enclosed in a lunchbox chassis.

Silicon Graphics Indy

The Indy, code-named "Guinness", is a low-end multimedia workstation introduced on July 12, 1993. Silicon Graphics Incorporated (SGI) developed, manufactured, and marketed Indy as the lowest end of its product line. — Silicon Graphics Indy
The Indy, code-named "Guinness", is a low-end multimedia workstation introduced on July 12, 1993. Silicon Graphics Incorporated (SGI) developed, manufactured, and marketed Indy as the lowest end of its product line.

Next NextStation Color

The NeXTstation was released as a more affordable alternative to the NeXTcube. Several models were produced. The NeXTstation Color (25 MHz) in the collection is 68040 processor. In total, NeXT sold about 50,000 comput — Next NextStation Color
The NeXTstation was released as a more affordable alternative to the NeXTcube. Several models were produced. The NeXTstation Color (25 MHz) in the collection is 68040 processor. In total, NeXT sold about 50,000 computers (not including sales to government organizations), making the NeXTstation a rarity today.

Silicon Graphics Indigo R3000

Since I started collecting and restoring various older computers, I really wanted an Indigo. This R3000 was my first acquisition and it’s been a handful. I plan to dig in and work on the long story soon. — Silicon Graphics Indigo R3000
Since I started collecting and restoring various older computers, I really wanted an Indigo. This R3000 was my first acquisition and it’s been a handful. I plan to dig in and work on the long story soon.

The Portable Collection

Most of my personal computer restorations have been portables (luggables really). Its more a issue with space than anything else. There are plenty of desktops I would love to restore but my collection has grown to a point that its just not feasible to keep full size systems around. The one exception is the NCR desktop box. it has such an unusual and iconic design I just had to buy it a restore it. It still looks like its from the future!

NCR PC4
The NCR PC4 was the first PC Compatible that NCR built. It had a striking industrial design that was probably its most outstanding feature.

IBM 5155 Portable

The IBM 5155 Portable was released in February of 1984. It was an answer to the Compaq Portable one that beat it to market by a year. Its introductory price was $,4225. — IBM 5155 Portable
The IBM 5155 Portable was released in February of 1984. It was an answer to the Compaq Portable one that beat it to market by a year. Its introductory price was $,4225.

Osborne 1

The Osborne 1 is the first commercially successful portable computer, released on April 3, 1981 by Osborne Computer Corporation. — Osborne 1
The Osborne 1 is the first commercially successful portable computer, released on April 3, 1981 by Osborne Computer Corporation.

Kaypro II

Kaypro began as Non-Linear Systems, a maker of electronic test equipment, founded in 1952 by Andrew Kay. The Kaypro II was the company's first personal computer released and was designed to compete with the Osborne I. — Kaypro II
Kaypro began as Non-Linear Systems, a maker of electronic test equipment, founded in 1952 by Andrew Kay. The Kaypro II was the company's first personal computer released and was designed to compete with the Osborne I.

Commodore SX-64
The Commodore SX-64, also known as the Executive 64, or VIP-64 in Europe, is a portable ("pluggable") version of the popular Commodore 64 home computer and is believed to be the first full-color portable computer.

Compaq Portable 1
The Compaq Portable was one of the first IBM PC compatible systems and contained a reverse-engineered BIOS, making it 100% compatible with the IBM 5150.

Compaq Portable III
The Compaq Portable III was the third generation of IBM PC compatible portable system released by Compaq Corporation. It featured a Gas Plasma display making the machine much smaller than its predecessors.

Compaq Portable II
The Compaq Portable II was the second generation of IBM PC compatible portable system released by Compaq Corporation. It had a 286 processor and was smaller that Portable I

The Personal Computer Collection

IBM PCjr

The IBM PCjr was a home computer produced and marketed by IBM from March 1984 to May 1985, intended as a lower-cost variant of the IBM PC with hardware capabilities better suited for video games in order to compete more directly with — IBM PCjr
The IBM PCjr was a home computer produced and marketed by IBM from March 1984 to May 1985, intended as a lower-cost variant of the IBM PC with hardware capabilities better suited for video games in order to compete more directly with other home computers such as the Apple II and Commodore 64.

The Apple Collection

When i started restoring computers as a hobby, I didn’t really have a strategy. I just got things that I had either played with in the past, wanted to play with in the past but couldn’t afford at the time, or just never had. The Apple II was one of those machines. I spend a lot of time restoring that computer and made a few mistakes that taught me how to approach some of the older machines. I ended up selling the Apple IIe but have sense picked up an original Mac 128k that a friend gave me. Im still working away documenting some of these boxes.

Apple IIe Platinum

In January 1987 came the final revision of the Apple IIe, often referred to as the Platinum IIe, due to the color change of its case to the light-grey color scheme that Apple dubbed "Platinum". — Apple IIe Platinum
In January 1987 came the final revision of the Apple IIe, often referred to as the Platinum IIe, due to the color change of its case to the light-grey color scheme that Apple dubbed "Platinum".

Mac Color Classic
The Macintosh Color Classic is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. from February 1993 to May 1995.

The Color Classic is the final model of the original "compact" family of Macintosh compu — Mac Color Classic
The Macintosh Color Classic is a personal computer designed, manufactured and sold by Apple Computer, Inc. from February 1993 to May 1995. The Color Classic is the final model of the original "compact" family of Macintosh computers.