I think my parents spent about $1600AUD on it, which seems cheaper that the originally priced $2200USD. My very vague memories are that I got it in January 1996

I think my parents spent about $1600AUD on it, which seems cheaper that the originally priced $2200USD. My very vague memories are that I got it in January 1996, so about 6 months after release. I don't think, for me at least, it was the price tag so much as it was priceless. It wasn't replaceable, but your point is valid. Attitude to technology in much of the developed world is that it's disposable. We don't repair things like we used to.