A500 crack the case and upgrade or keep original?

[RetroNinja]

Hey,
Just an opinion inquiry post. No wrong answers, just opinions.

I have a new (to me) A500. It is in rather nice shape, stock, an A501, no yellowing !!, and most important, it has never been opened. The sticker is still in place. It currently has a 1.3 boot ROM. My dilemma is whether I should pop it open to replace the ROM. The A501 I will desolder to remove the varta. My plan is to sell this. Would it be move valuable to you in stock condition/unopened or with a slightly upgraded boot ROM (2.04 or 3.1)?

 

[YouKnowWho]

Personally, I find these sealed units quite special. I have a sealed 1200 that I get a lot of slack over keeping sealed and pretty like it's Christmas 1992.

I say keep it as is, sealed. Let the new buyer make that decision if you're selling it.

 

[miggymad]

I concur ... Keep it stock with the label intact - definitely chop out that Varta battery ASAP though!

 

[btp]

I'm not one that values the sealed status on its own. The most important thing is if the machine is fully tested and if it is in working condition. Rev5/6 with 1.3 kickstart and 512KB chip / 512KB slow RAM on the trapdoor is the most common Amiga 500 config as well as the model that is most compatible with games. As said, IMO sealed doesn't add anything to the value of the machine but as long as everything is working as expected I don't see any need to open it up. Of course take care of the RTC battery on the trapdoor expansion ASAP!

 

[Sardine]

If you’re simply selling why spend money on a licensed 3.1 rom or even a 2.04 ?? ( you can’t sell without a licenced or original rom )

You’ll just break compatibility for its period.
YourA500 is probably a 512k chip ram 512k slow ram