Vintage computers find new fans in the age of artificial intelligence

As artificial intelligence reshapes the technology industry, a very different corner of computing is attracting fresh attention: vintage machines that users can open, repair and understand.

Collectors value early personal computers for more than nostalgia. Their distinctive cases, keyboards, screens and limited software capture a period when each system had a clearly recognisable identity.

Restoring the machines can involve tracking down ageing parts, replacing components and preserving software stored on fragile media. The work has created active communities in which experienced owners share technical knowledge with newcomers.

The renewed interest also reflects a desire for a more tangible relationship with technology. Modern services often hide their complexity in the cloud, while a vintage computer puts its design choices and limitations directly in front of the user.