Okay, so everyone loves retrocomputing stuff. Looking at a piece of equipment or an item and going “Gosh I remember using one of those ${back_in_some_day}.” Well, I finally decided to formalize my collection a bit, and set some goals for myself.

I’ve decided to focus on handheld computing devices that had a significant impact on the industry, or I have a special emotional connection with. Handhelds in particularly are attractive because, well, I don’t have a lot of space. So while I’m sorely tempted to collect Apple II’s, old CP/M machines, and DEC minicomputers, living in an 800sq ft townhouse makes that a practical impossibility.

So I’ve focused on handhelds.

It became quickly apparent that I’d need a place to store and display them. My partner had a glass fronted wooden display case that was a good starting place. It had a storage space underneath it for boxes and cables, and nice glass windows on the front. I had some custom glass shelves made to replace the wooden interior shelving, and installed some LED lighting across the top. With everything done, I was able to put all the things I had (so far!) into it, and it doesn’t look too bad! . (Here’s what it looks like with the doors closed.)

Many of these were items I already owned, but I’ve fleshed things out a bit with finds from eBay and other auction sites. So far, here’s what I have. All items work, and have functional batteries, except where noted.

Apple Newton Messagepad 2000. (1995)

Palm Zire M150 (2002)

Atari Lynx (1989)

Palm Treo 750 (Sprint) (2006)

PalmPilot (1996)

Compaq IPAQ (2000)

Sharp Zaurus 5500 (2002)

Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 100 (1983)

I hope to expand the collection going forward. Here’s my current wishlist:

Atari Portfolio (first palmtop computer running DOS!)

Newton Messagepad 2100 (the best of the breed, and the equivelent of the unit I used to have)

Apple eMate 300 (This is pushing the bounds of a ‘handheld’, but they’re amazingly cool devices regardless)

Toshiba Libretto (I used these when i worked at Wildfire, and remember them fondly)

IBM Simon – This was the first real ‘smartphone’. I used one for a while, and ended up either giving it away or selling it. They’re scary rare now, I’m kicking myself for tossing it.

If I do end up getting these things, I may need to expand my cabinet. But right now, I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got.

Update: I now have a page specifically for the collection.