IT repairman seeks home for Apple collection, possibly world's largest

Power Macs sit on the shelves in the office of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Vienna, Austria October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

VIENNA (Reuters) - An Austrian computer repairman has amassed what he believes could be the world's biggest collection of old Apple computers, but it might all soon be destroyed unless someone can take it off his hands.

Over the years since he began working for a company that repaired Apples in Vienna in the 1980s, Roland Borsky's collection has grown to roughly 1,100 computers, he says - far more than the 472 items at Prague's Apple Museum, which says it is the world's biggest private collection of Apple products.

"Just as others collect cars and live in a little box to afford them, so it is with me," he said in his office, which is so packed with dusty items like a wall of old monitors that he has moved most of them to a warehouse outside the city.

iMacs are seen in the office of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Vienna, Austria September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Ironically, however, Apple's success has made life harder for his business, and he has decided to close it. Apple opened its first store in Vienna in February, taking over much of the repairs previously done by firms like Borsky's. Parts are also often harder to replace on Apple's newer devices, he says.

Now that his income has dried up, Borsky says he cannot afford the rent on his warehouse. He hopes that a benefactor will put his collection on display and pay off his debt of 20,000-30,000 euros ($23,000-35,000).

Asked what would happen to his collection if that didn't happen soon, he said: "It'll be shredded. That is what bothers me the most because I can't currently rent a storage space that I can afford."

Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky talks in his office in Vienna, Austria October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

He has already put his computers on display as part of temporary exhibitions in Vienna but he hopes the collection will find a permanent home.

"I would be pleased if it is simply put on display anywhere ... so people can see it," Borsky, 53, said.

Apple declined to comment.

Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky holds the iCamera in his office in Vienna, Austria September 28, 2018. Picture taken September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

($1 = 0.8648 euros)

(Reporting by Francois Murphy and Leonhard Foeger; Additional reporting by Eric Auchard in London)

Macintosh SE computers sit in the storage of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Korneuburg, Austria September 27, 2018. Picture taken September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Apple computers sit on the shelves in the storage of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Korneuburg, Austria September 27, 2018. Picture taken September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Power Macs sit on the shelves in the office of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Vienna, Austria September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky talks in his office in Vienna, Austria October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Computer cables are seen in the storage of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Korneuburg, Austria September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Apple computers sit on the shelves in the storage of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Korneuburg, Austria September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Apple computers are seen in the storage of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Korneuburg, Austria September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky writes on a Newton personal digital assistant in his office in Vienna, Austria September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

An Apple cable is seen in the office of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Vienna, Austria October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

A Macbook is seen in the office of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Vienna, Austria October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

A sign reading "Coming soon" is seen in the office of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Vienna, Austria October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Power Macs are seen in the office of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Vienna, Austria October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Apple computers sit on the shelves in the storage of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Korneuburg, Austria September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Toner cartridges of Apple computers are seen in the storage of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Korneuburg, Austria September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Keyboards of Apple computers are seen in the storage of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Korneuburg, Austria September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Apple computers sit in the storage of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Korneuburg, Austria September 27, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky makes a phone call in his office in Vienna, Austria September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky stands in his office in Vienna, Austria September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Macintosh SE computers are seen in the office of Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky in Vienna, Austria October 3, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

Austrian Apple computer collector Roland Borsky displays an eMate 300 in his office in Vienna, Austria September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger