How many SPARCs is too many SPARCs?

Summary

How many SPARCs is too many SPARCs? Posted on 2025-08-20 Contents Background I was browsing /r/vintagecomputing, as you do, and I came across this post: Hi all. Back in the day I was a developer working exclusively on Solaris. About 25 years ago, for one reason and another I came into possession of about 30 assorted SPARC based workstations and a few other bits and bobs, network/SCSI cards, keyboards, mice, etc. I think there's also one UltraSPARC in there too. This stuff was well past its prime even then. I need to clear out the space they're stored in and it would be a shame for them to end up in landfill, so if anyone wants them they're free to a good home. They're currently located in West Berkshire, England. It should be noted that none of these machines have been powered up in well over a decade. I've no idea if any of them still work and with the exception of the one UltaSPARC I'm not sure what use they'd be to anyone. But the offer's there. Free SPARC machines? Not too far from me? Well it would be rude not to. If you're new here, hi! I have been on a bit of a 90's RISC/UNIX bender recently - see previous posts. Clearly I need some IBM RS/6000 in my life, but they are hard to find. And clearly I need some 32-bit SPARCV8, to go with the 64-bit SPARCV9 Ultra 80. Also I need more space. And money. Send help. The Collection The machines were in Newbury and the owner needed to clear the whole lot, so wasn't particularly interested in people coming and collecting one at a time. So, I said I could come down right away (it's only a ~3 hour drive each way) and take as many as would fit into my car. The vendor was actually surprised at all the interest, and in the end we agreed I could take about half the pile, leaving half for the other people who were coming later. Newbury is about 120 miles from me, so on Monday 18 August, I set off at 5pm for Operation SPARC RESCUE. The trip was uneventful and the vendor was very kind, and six hours later I'm back at home and real...