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The New Media Museum’s personal computing collection includes early 8-bit home computers, gaming consoles, Apple and IBM/Compatible computers along with a comprehensive set of corresponding operating systems, utilities, application software and peripherals. ¹

8-bits

The New Computer Museum has a small collection of early home computers (Commodore VIC-20, TRS-80, TI-99/4A, Toshiba Pasopia IQ-MSX etc.).

Apple

Apple Family Portrait
The New Media Museum has many Apple II series computers along with original system, utility and application software (Apple II, II Plus, IIe, IIc, IIGS). There is also a strong collection of Macintosh hardware and software (SE, LC, LC III, PowerBook 180, PowerBook 3400C, iBook G4, iPod and iPad). More…

IBM/Compatible

The New Media Museum has a systematic collection of more than 20 IBM and compatible computers ranging from early DOS to recent Windows 10 systems along with a comprehensive set of peripherals, operating systems, utilities and application software. More…

Microsoft

The New Media Museum has a comprehensive collection of Microsoft operating system and productivity software for IMB/Compatibles and Macintoshs as well as Xbox consoles with games and peripherals. More…

Applications

The New Media Museum has a wide range of application software. More…

Games

Atari Flashback 7 Classic Game Console with Joystick

Power Glove with Power Ball Running on NES

Xbox by Microsoft with Rockband by Harmonix

The New Media Museum has a range of gaming consoles, peripherals and games as well as Apple, Macintosh and IBM/Compatible games. More…

Useful Things

Plenty of storage media like 5 1⁄4-inch and 3 1⁄2 inch floppy disks, a full array of backup drives as well as modern USB drives.

The collection also includes a few 1990s printers and a good supply of toners.

Printers

Bookshelf

These are some of the most relevant books in the collection. More…

Stupid PC Tricks: 17 Insanely Great Programs to Make Your PC More Fun by Bob LeVitus with Ed Titlel

How Computers Work: Millennium Edition by Ron White

How Computers Work: Special 10th Anniversary Edition by Ron White

Upgrading and Repairing PCs by Scott Mueller

Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary: The Comprehensive Standard for Business, School, Library, and Home Second Edition by Microsoft Press

Professional Programming Concepts by Bud Pembroke

C by Dissection by Al Kelley and Ira Pohl

Graphics in C: Programming and Techniques by Nelson Johnson

Collection Notes
1 Some of this equipment was originally acquired for Studio-E which was located at 1206 Mass. Ave. in Harvard Square (1994-1996). The collection was later updated to support the courses ECOMP 7100: Fundamentals of Computer Structure (2004) and ECOMP 6016: Teaching and Learning with Digital Media (2005-2006) at Lesley University. Finally, the most recent equipment was acquired during work on Digital-Den (2012-2019).