I am going to buy a classic computer for gaming. I already own an Apple IIe Platinum, but I will need certain costly accessories before I can certify it as a proper gaming machine. But I am quite partial to IBM PC hardware and have the chance to buy an incredible PC. Here are my choices:
Apple IIe Platinum - I already have a DuoDisk Drive, but don't know whether it works. For this I will need the Apple IIe Color Composite Monitor, a Semi Virtual Diskette, two Mockingboards, an old-style Apple II disk drive controller (for the SVD) and an Apple II joystick and Apple II paddles. I will also need an external amplifier and mixer for the Mockingboards. Finally, I will need to get a new desk because of the height of the Apple II. I will only be able to transfer floppies using the SVD with a laptop.
IBM PC Model 5150 - I am in negotiations to buy an IBM PC Model 5150, with revised motherboard, fully populated 256KB on the motherboard and using the last, 10/27/82 BIOS. It will also come with the rare IBM 5161 Expansion Chassis, which adds a 10MB MFM Hard Drive and eight more ISA slots in addition to the five slots in the PC. It will also come with an IBM PC CGA card, a 5153 Color Monitor in great condition, 5152 IBM PC Dot Matrix printer, IBM Parallel and Gameport cards, two full-height Floppy Drives + controller, multifunction card and Quadlink (Apple II emulator) card. For this computer, I will need to obtain an IBM MDA card and 5151 monochrome monitor as well as an Asychronous Communications (Serial) Adapter and Joystick. Later I may obtain a sound card like a Sound Blaster 1.0 and a Roland MPU-IPC(-T) midi interface, but many games that take advantage of these cards require a faster PC than the 5150.
Unfortunately, I can't afford to build both, and even if I did, I only have the room for one. What a problem to have!