What IS that Amiga/Macintosh smell?

[Starglider 2]

I really hope someone knows what I'm talking about or this is going to sound crazy.

Even today, if I smell the top vents of my A500, the warm electronics or plastic give off a very nostalgic and very specific smell. I've only smelt it before on 80s Apple Macintoshes.

The smell is very hard to describe. Perhaps like a sweet burning? Or a plasticy black pepper? It's very high up in the nose or palette. Smell yours. Your A500 I mean. 😉

What I want to know is why we don't smell it elsewhere and what it is. It's obviously a chemical or part that is no longer used.

Get smelling!... 👃

Thanks!!

[s2325]

�� nothing, just magic and awesomeness

[prowler]

Originally Posted by s2325

�� nothing, just magic and awesomeness

+1

[Starglider 2]

Originally Posted by s2325

�� nothing, just magic and awesomeness

That would explain why I love the smell.

[Retro1234]

Burning components

[Starglider 2]

Originally Posted by Retro1234

Burning components

Right but that happens with all computers so what components smell so unique in the Miggy...

Thanks!!

[xArtx]

Leaking capacitors or PCB lacquer?
For much older stuff like 60s & 70s radios it's insect poo.

[Starglider 2]

Originally Posted by xArtx

Leaking capacitors or PCB lacquer?
For much older stuff like 60s & 70s radios it's insect poo.

You could smell it when you first opened the box though. Same with the Mac. There's even a candle called "New Mac Smell". https://9to5mac.com/2016/10/03/new-m...e-twelvesouth/

Thanks!!

[Predseda]

Even Breadbin smells like that.

[Starglider 2]

Originally Posted by Predseda

Even Breadbin smells like that.

Hmm I only noticed it with light beige colored computers.

Thanks!!

[michaelz]

I think it's the ABS plastic you smell. Probably legoblocks that you warm a little will smell the same.

[idrougge]

Either ABS plastic or the flame retardants in the plastic.

[Starglider 2]

Originally Posted by michaelz

I think it's the ABS plastic you smell. Probably legoblocks that you warm a little will smell the same.

I might try that! If you never hear from me again you'll know I passed out and the house caught fire 😉

Thanks!!

[r.cade]

Yes, the sweet smell of ABS plastic- especially when it gets warm. You get this also with new 3D printers when you extrude with ABS plastic.

[Starglider 2]

Originally Posted by r.cade

Yes, the sweet smell of ABS plastic- especially when it gets warm. You get this also with new 3D printers when you extrude with ABS plastic.

Interesting!

Thanks!!

[PortuguesePilot]

I'm not particularly sure of what you're talking about. When it comes to smell, I have a few different experiences.

Does ABS plastic smell like that all the time or only when it's new? My Amigas exude a very particular smell (but some of my older CRT TVs and VGA monitors do as well) that has been there since day 1 (which probably excludes the leaking capacitors theory), especially when they work for a long period of time (i.e., when they heat up). Is that what you're talking about?

My other machines (the Atari ST, the Spectrum +2, the MegaDrive, the TurboGrafx 16, etc.) don't seem to smell the same way, regardless of how hot they become... And, to be honest, only the monitors/power supplies seem to exude that particular smell, the Amigas themselves don't, which makes me think that this is not what you're guys are talking about.

When my dad got his Philips PC (which was of the ubiquitous office beige so popular at the time) back in 1986 and he was unpacking it, there was this awesome smell (probably cancer-inducing) in the air that I still vividly recall. Maybe that's the one (or of the sort) that you're talking about, but if so, I must be honest, my Amigas never really smelled quite the same way, even when they were new.

[Starglider 2]

Originally Posted by PortuguesePilot

I'm not particularly sure of what you're talking about. When it comes to smell, I have a few different experiences.

Does ABS plastic smell like that all the time or only when it's new? My Amigas exude a very particular smell (but some of my older CRT TVs and VGA monitors do as well) that has been there since day 1 (which probably excludes the leaking capacitors theory), especially when they work for a long period of time (i.e., when they heat up). Is that what you're talking about?

My other machines (the Atari ST, the Spectrum +2, the MegaDrive, the TurboGrafx 16, etc.) don't seem to smell the same way, regardless of how hot they become... And, to be honest, only the monitors/power supplies seem to exude that particular smell, the Amigas themselves don't, which makes me think that this is not what you're guys are talking about.

When my dad got his Philips PC (which was of the ubiquitous office beige so popular at the time) back in 1986 and he was unpacking it, there was this awesome smell (probably cancer-inducing) in the air that I still vividly recall. Maybe that's the one (or of the sort) that you're talking about, but if so, I must be honest, my Amigas never really smelled quite the same way, even when they were new.

Amigas smell like that on day 1 and day 1 million. But you're right, it's when they are hot. I do now recall that power supplies particularly smell that awesome when hot.

Thanks!!