Retro Tech Book – and my vintage tech!

An excellent surprise present I received from my sister today was a book on retro tech. Covering home computers, consoles and games.

The book is (surprise surprise) called “Retro Tech” and is published by ilex books. A very nicely presented hardback book.

As an age that I remember most of the vintage computers and consoles, this is a really nice to have this book – loads of pictures and history. Also details about some computers that I had forgotten about. The book features everything I owned apart from one early tv games system/console.

Reminiscing, the book got me thinking about the computers that I owned and the experiences. I am sure that some of this will give my age away a little but thought it would be fun to document what I have owned.

Below are computers and consoles that I owned from the late 70’s to late 90’s. Since then, I have owned many more but wanted to focus on the vintage.

ZX81 and 16K RAM Pack

I remember seeing this computer on TV and I would look longingly at the demo machine in local WHSmith shops. This was a lot of money at the time and my parents bought me one for Christmas one year.

I also remember looking longingly at magazine ads for these Sinclair computers.

For those who owned the machine, you could upgrade the memory with a 16K Ram pack. I was one of the lucky ones and had a stable Ram pack. Many others had Ram packs that moved and reset the system.

I fondly remember spending many hours trying to code and type up small games from those published in magazines (BASIC code).

Binatone tv games console

This was the one console not listed in the book but an earlier model was featured. I was bought this console for a birthday present. It was quite an amazing little system. Another item that cost a lot of money at the time.

Game and watch

The Game and Watch consoles were really popular. Expensive as well. I had a single screen version first called turtle bridge. Then my favourite was the double Donkey King screen. It was a lot of fun and a little less repetitive compared to the single screen games. Wouldn’t mind getting a second hand vintage game and watch again. I do own a modern Mario remake which is a good collectable.

Commodore 64

I remember saving for this. Friends had Vic 20’s and then some others had the 64. I remember my cousin playing Hunchback and then Manic Miner. I saved up approx £200 for it and managed to save quite quickly. I did really enjoy this machine and had a lot of fun with it.

Sinclair Spectrum

I only owned one of these machines for a short time. I bought it second hand around 1986. For the time that I had it, I remember owning the Chuckie Egg game which was fun. And of course, the dead man’s fingers keyboard! I will not forget that.

Nintendo Gameboy

I bought my gameboy in the US in the 90’s and like most, played Tetris. I remember getting cartridges when on holiday in the states. I loved playing the Mario games of course as well. For the time, it was quite cutting edge as a portable gaming device.

Sega Megadrive

Probably my least favourite console that I owned. The games range just did not appeal. Not used a huge amount as I just was not into the Sonic games and main titles released at the time.

Sega Dreamcast

I loved the Dreamcast console. Excellent games, good controllers and online capabilities. I remember the light gun and playing House Of The Dead”. The console didn’t last on the market long as Sega pulled out of the console market but it is still one of my favourite game systems.

Packard Bell Computer

The Packard Bell was the first computer that I owned. I bought it from Curry’s/Dixons and this was the first internet capable computer that I owned. I remember the dial up modem connecting to AOL. The monitor was chunky but had built in speakers. A not bad first desktop computer.

Sony Vaio Laptop

My first laptop. This was quite an impressive device. Very reliable and set the scene for the way forward.

Since the 2000’s I have continued to love tech. Owning various Windows computers before settling with Macs. To this day, I still game having owned XBox, PlayStation and Nintendo consoles and portables.

If only I still owned much of the vintage tech! Have you owned any of this tech and can share your memories. Comment below.