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10 Vintage Electronics That Are Worth a Small Fortune

That old Walkman in your junk drawer could be surprisingly valuable.

By Laura Gesualdi-Gilmore , Edited by Amanda Machado

Updated April 20, 2026

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The tech world moves fast, and oftentimes, our phones, computers, and other devices begin to feel outdated after just a few years.

However, despite the constant flow of updated gadgets today, there is a vintage market for electronics from decades past. Some collectors have been known to pay hundreds or even thousands for early or rare versions of tech we still use today.

If you have a junk drawer full of old devices, selling vintage tech could be a simple way to make extra money online, especially if you have one of the 10 high-value electronics listed below.

Editor's note: All market value data come from eBay unless otherwise stated.

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1984 Apple Macintosh computer

Estimated market value: $2,250

In 1984, Apple launched its first truly user-friendly computer, the Macintosh, a model that would go on to revolutionize accessible computer technology. If you happened to hang on to your original Mac and its clunky keyboard and mouse, you could be looking at a payday of a few thousand dollars.

A working 1984 Macintosh is currently attracting much attention on eBay with a price tag well over $2k. Even non-working computers can net decent paydays when sold for parts.

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Sony Walkman WM-3EX

Estimated market value: $1,150

It's rare to see cassette tapes out in the wild today, but vintage Walkmans can still sell for quite a bit, particularly a device in decent condition with some of its original accessories.

A Sony Walkman WM-3EX from 1981, complete with its original carrying case and headphones, could easily sell for over $1k to the right collector.

First Generation iPod

Estimated market value: $700

The iPod may not be the first gadget you think of when you hear the word "vintage," but the First Generation model was released over 25 years ago at this point, back in 2001.

Today, First Generation iPods, well-known for their sleek white design and groundbreaking (at the time) ability to hold about 1,000 songs, easily sell for a few hundred bucks on the resale market.

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1986 IBM PC Convertible

Estimated market value: $600

IBM's PC Convertible was one of the first laptop models released to the public back in the '80s. Though it's a far cry from the slim models available today, the PC Convertible was the first laptop to weigh less than 15 pounds.

Today, tech hobbyists and collectors are often willing to shell out serious cash for this piece of computer history.

1960s Hermes 3000 portable typewriter

Estimated market value: $600

Before there were portable computers, there were portable typewriters, and the Hermes 3000 was widely regarded as one of the best available. Likewise, it is one of the most sought-after models for collectors.

The typewriters released in the '60s typically came in very retro-looking mint green, and well-kept models regularly sell for $600 or more on resale sites like eBay.

1960s Western Electric rotary phone

Estimated market value: $150

Some collectors are willing to shell out serious cash for vintage rotary phones. Models in fun retro colors like aqua or bright yellow tend to attract more attention (and money) on the resale market. An aqua Western Electric 554 wall phone from the 1960s, for example, is attracting plenty of attention with a $150 asking price on eBay.

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1980s Motorola Brick Cellphone

Estimated market value: $439

In the '80s, cellphones were not quite as compact as they are today, hence the very appropriate nickname "brick." A very early mobile phone, Motorola's DynaTAC 8000S from 1986, which certainly looks like a big, white brick, is a fun find for collectors and could easily sell for close to $500 online.

T-Mobile Sidekick

Estimated market value: $300

T-Mobile first released the Sidekick in 2002, and at the time, the pre-smartphone devices were touted as a more affordable BlackBerry complete with a large screen and easy-to-use keyboard. Today, they have been known to sell for hundreds (and beyond) on the resale market.

Polaroid SX-70 camera

Estimated market value: $300

Polaroid first released the folding SX-70 camera in the early 1970s, and as the first instant single lens reflex (SLR) camera, it holds a special place in history for collectors. A working SX-70 model from the '70s in decent condition is likely to sell for a few hundred dollars (at least) on the resale market.

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Original Game Boy

Estimated market value: $185

Nintendo first released the handheld Game Boy console in 1989, a product that has been advanced and updated throughout the past three decades and is still wildly popular today. Today, refurbished versions of those original Game Boys, with Tetris included, regularly sell on sites like eBay for nearly $200.

Bottom line

Before you get rid of old phones, cameras, or computers, it never hurts to check out recent sales on a site like eBay to get a better idea of the going rate.

Collectors and hobbyists have been known to shell out big bucks for early models of the tech we are so accustomed to today, and you may just have a simple solution to get ahead financially sitting in your junk drawer right now.

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