You're young and short of funds, as is anyone your age, so what you can afford is precious to you. Prices may seem to be in the collectible realm but, for the most part, that's only the stuff of eBay dreams.

A very few Macs and, of course, the Lisa have become collectibles. More will achieve that status over the years, but it will take a while.

For now, hackers can still build the Macs of their dreams at a relatively affordable cost out of Macs that are not, and never will be, in showcase condition.

In camera collecting, we call these "users" because they aren't mint condition. I sold off most of my mint gear long ago. The few lenses in that class are in my gadget bags and are still not replaceable.

My two prototypes are really the only truly sacrosanct pieces in my collection.