decmate can be fun too
decmate can be fun too
The front panel lights on a real 8/e or 11/20 (11/45, 11/70...) can be neat, but chances are, once you get the machine going with an operating system, you won't be using the programmer's console (front panel) much.
So, I think the 11/23 in the last post is an excellent way to get into 11s without breaking the bank. The q-bus cards (for 11/23,53,73,83,93) show up on ebay at reasonable prices too.
If you really want an 8, every so often on craigslist I see decmates. They use the 8-on-a-chip 6120, just like the SBC6120. No blinking lights, and a little slower than an 8/e, but it still can run OS/8 and has a nice compact VT100 style case. The 8" floppy drives you'll need (RX01/2) are a little bulky, but can serve (in one configuration: RX02-PA) as the pedistal to hold the machine at typewriter stand height.
Lou