Performa 200, isn't this just a Classic II?

[Damian Ward]

Am I missing something? I've been watching a Performa 200 on ebay and the price keep on going up. I'm sure they are the same model as the Classic II, but with a different name. Are these models that rare that they go for this sort of price?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Apple-Macintosh-Performa-200-Classic-II-Style...

[Derek]

Yes, that's right—the Performas were marketed at Sears and other less computer-centric retail outfits. 68030 Performas were the same as their Mac II brethren; 68040 Performas had 68LC040 CPUs (no on-chip FPU) just like the LC lineup.

I remember a mid-1993 issue of Macworld declaring that the new LC III was in such heavy demand that it was backordered by about three-months(?) at most dealers, yet the Performa 450 was readily available. The only difference between the two machines? The names, and perhaps some bundled software.

Some Performas made it into computer stores, too, which made things extra-confusing. If this all sounds insane, it is! That's just how stupid Apple's marketing was. And don't get me started on the numbering system once the Power Macs came along! grrrrgh

[Lars (WhyOSX)]

Please, do it !

[James]

Based upon their limited appearances on eBay, they are rare compared to the Classic II. I'm glad I got mine years ago before collectors realized that.

[Astro Chicken]

Dang, that thing looks almost new. Still, £205.00 does seem pretty steep. Isn't that over $400 US?

On a related note, I have a Performa 200. Mine is running 7.0.1p. The other day I was testing some System 7.0.1 floppies I made from the disk images on Apple's older software page. I popped them into my Performa 200 and when I ran the install it identified as a Classic II.

[Damian Ward]

Thanks Guys, I have only seen a couple on ebay in the last two years, so I know they don't come up that often. From memory they both went for about the £20 ($30) mark. I kinda wish I bid on them now, but they where too far away to collect.

I guess this is one of those ebay fever moments, where two bidders can't back down. Only a few hour left now so I'll let you know how much it goes for. I'm off to deface one of my Classic II's with a magic marker ;-)

[Ken]

I saw one of these on sale at a flea market in Frankfurt for 10 Euro. I couldn't justify lugging the weight back to the US. ::sigh::

[Damian Ward]

It finally went for £280 ($425) I find this amazing.

[MacMan]

£280, blimey! That's absolutely crazy - as you've mentioned there were some on eBay a while back that went for very little indeed. It would be worth going out and getting a couple of Classic II's re-screen printed with the Performa 200 name. Or to make one extra desirable, print it with a "Performa 210" badge or something and sell it as a prototype!

[Lars (WhyOSX)]

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2902...
Ending on Sunday immediately before 10 p.m. G.M.T.
My latest bid is at 10,50 € - I will not go any further ( got a Classic II as a gift on Christmas Day) !

[Damian Ward]

Looks like a good one and it's in a box. Your bid is about what I would expect to pay. I hope you get it.

[Lars (WhyOSX)]

This has been in before, The girl denied sending at first - she must have bought it herself. That was one month ago;
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290277804655
So with the SW II printer ~€ 20-25 seems ok., but not if I already have one of each.
The € 10.50 is where I was bidden out - 5 days before ending !

[MacMan]

I have noticed that there have been a few of these listed (in the UK) since this auction, probably by people hoping to get a similar amount for theirs. It's funny how eBay works isn't it?