One Man's Trash Is… A Rare $60000 Historical Computer

In London, a salvage company discovered two ultra-rare Q1 computers from the early 1970s while clearing out a property. Initially unrecognized, these devices, equipped with Intel 8008 CPUs and integrated screens, keyboards, and printers, are now valued at around $60,000 each.

Interestingly, the original cost of these computers was reported to be $90,000. Employed historically at NASA sites and sold internationally, the Q1 computers are significant relics of early computing technology, with some possibly featuring a Zilog Z80 CPU.

The Intel 8008 CPUs hold significant historical value in the context of the Q1 computers and the broader landscape of computing technology. Introduced in the early 1970s, the Intel 8008 was one of the first microprocessors to use an 8-bit architecture, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of computer technology6. This advancement allowed for more complex computations and broader functionalities within computing devices.

In the specific case of the Q1 computers, the use of Intel 8008 CPUs underlines their role as early adopters of cutting-edge technology. The Q1 computers, dating from the early 1970s and priced originally at a staggering $90,000, were equipped with these CPUs, highlighting their high-tech specifications for the time. This setup not only provided substantial computing power during that era but also positioned the Q1 as a significant player in the technological advancements of the period.

Moreover, the fact that these computers were utilized in critical environments such as NASA sites across the United States further underscores the reliability and advanced technology of the Intel 8008 CPU. The presence of these processors in the Q1 computers illustrates a key stage in the historical development of computing hardware, bridging the gap between early, simpler microprocessors and the more complex systems that would follow6.