10 retro computers, gadgets and devices that still impress (20 photos)

It may not have been better before, but it was definitely more diverse.





1. Sony computer HitBit







This is an MSX computer running the MSX-DOS operating system. These computers were popular in Japan, Brazil, and the USSR in the 1980s, and were generally produced until 1995.

Notice the rectangle on the very edge of the computer, this is a retractable handle for carrying. And a joystick was inserted into the center of the arrow keys. Hundreds of games were released for MSX computers, so a removable joystick was very useful.

2. Sony Hit-Bit HB-F1XD



Another model with a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive.

3. Ford Code-A-Phone 1400



A telephone with an answering machine and a special portable attachment that can play calls recorded on the answering machine.

4. Panasonic Let’s Note CF-C33EJ8C





In the first photo, the laptop is missing a part. Where the second hinge should logically be, either a module for a mobile phone (in the second photo) was inserted, or, according to the Internet, for a video camera.

5. Hanimex HRC 5020 Audio System





This Japanese audio system, released in the 70s, judging by the presence of an 8-track slot, is supplemented by an AM/ FM radio, a digital clock with an audible alarm (with reversible numbers) and two separate speakers.

6. Portable vinyl record player Sony PS-F5





The player was battery-powered. It could be connected to two pairs of headphones or stereo speakers.

7. Sony Ericsson Xperia Play





The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, an Android gaming smartphone officially unveiled in February 2011, is a slider with a retractable gamepad. It features dedicated gaming buttons and touch zones, runs on Android 2.3 with a 1 GHz Scorpion ARMv7 processor and an integrated graphics accelerator.

The retractable gamepad, similar to the PlayStation Portable controller, contains a cross, four main buttons, the "menu", "start" and "select" keys, as well as two touch-sensitive touchpads. Additional L and R keys, located on the side, are activated only in game mode. More than 200 PlayStation games have been adapted for the smartphone.

8. Game Boy Camera





The camera for the Game Boy portable console was sold from 1998 to 2002. The camera took low-resolution photos in grayscale. Photos could be shared between consoles, edited, and used in games as avatars. The camera rotated 180°, so you could use it to take selfies. Photos could be printed on thermal paper on a special printer for the Game Boy.

9. Philips Ski Slope Cassette Deck





The device first plays side A of all installed cassettes, and then side B.

10. Sony VAIO PCG-GT1, a unique laptop with a built-in video camera. It was released in 2000 exclusively in Japan. Only 500 units were produced, so this model is highly prized by retro-technical collectors







Specifications:

Transmeta Crusoe TM5600 600MHz

128MB of RAM (expandable to 192MB)

ATI RAGE Mobility M1, 8MB VRAM

6.4" 1024×768 display

20GB 2.5-inch IDE HDD