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Computers through the Decades

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My first computer that I used was a Tandy Computer

What I remember:

I used this Tandy Computer to create projects, type school reports and play games from floppy discs.

I thought it was the best thing ever.

Helped me to do what I want.

Dial-up - oh yeah -- Dial-up Internet Access was the only option available where my parent's lived at the time.

Remember everyone worried about the millennium switch over - worked just fine!
Was purchased at Radio Shack, New Hampton, Iowa.

First Computer: Tandy Computer with Monitor, Horizontal Tower, and Keyboard.

Tandy Computer - Radio Shack

Radio Shack Commercial Tandy Multi-Media Computers

Experience the power!

Tandy Computer - Radio Shack

Radio Shack Tandy Computer Ad 1986

A 1986 TV commercial for Radio Shack's Tandy 1200 Computer

Tandy Computer...

They were available through Radio Shack

Could not locate item B002CHNBFK. Please try again.Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

Tandy Computer - Radio Shack

Second Computer: Yummy Purple or Grape-clious iMac Apple Computer...
and yes...

with matching purple keyboard, purple mouse, printer with optional purple printer cover!

Yummy Purple-Grape iMac Apple Computer

Bought this with my Graduation $$! Thank you to everyone who helped me with this purchase.

I loved this computer - not only did it work but it was my favorite color, PURPLE.

Purchased computer with matching purple keyboard, purple mouse, printer with purple cover (by special request) in Summer of 1999 from PCMall.com.

I used this computer for about 2 years trying to get it to work better.

After tweaking with it, realizing I should have waited until the G3 or G4 came out since those were more stable computers.

Was starting to understand the difference between a PC and a Mac and how each computer has different software.

I used my Apple iMac Computer for all my college papers - Had it for about 3 years and then sold it during my Senior year.

Computers seem to be outdated the minute you take ownership. Personally, I think it is worse than when you take your new car for its first spin shortly after ownership. The minute you leave the dealership lot, $$$ is dropped from the value.

What is up for auction Today?

iMac - Apple Computer

Apple iMac Commercial - iMac Decor

Apple G3 iMac commercial

Interesting lens...

Check it out!

iMac - Apple Computer

Apple Computer iMac G3 "Colors" Commercial

A great Apple Computer ad for their iMac G3 computers when they began selling them in a wide selection of colors. This ad features the song "She's A Rainbow" by the Rolling Stones.

Built on Respect!

We identify small communities working towards sustainability, and use a DIY approach to teach community members skills so they may be seen and heard, and compete in a global marketplace.

What do you think about this lens?

Mention what computers you have had "through the decades"!

Reply

EMangl Oct 15, 2011 @ 4:47 am | delete

too bad i did not keep any of the machines i used since i learned to program 1981 - would be a great museum today :-)

Reply

MysticTurtle Sep 11, 2011 @ 5:56 pm | delete

My first was a Tandy, too. Had to start up with a boot disk. 5-1/4" floppies! And a dot-matrix printer. I wouldn't want to go back.

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vineliner Sep 9, 2011 @ 12:49 am | delete

Kids these days don't know how lucky they have it!! Looking through some of these dinosaurs reminds me of the first video game console I had back in the day. Anyone remember Atari?

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DinosaurEgg Jul 20, 2011 @ 1:18 pm | delete

My first computer was a Sinclair Spectrum then I had an Amstrad CPC 464, then my beloved Amiga. Then a Sun 4. PCs with Linux on after that. Now I can't imagine life without a computer.

Reply

imaginemdd Jul 19, 2011 @ 4:49 pm | delete

Hard to believe that one of the first computers I ever used had no monitor. It was a Digital Equipment Co "DEC Writer" generating a ton of green and white striped paper. We'd hand in what we created, reams of this paper to the teacher and he or she would check it line by line. COBOL, I think it was. Those were the days.

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sagebrush_mama Jul 15, 2011 @ 9:37 am | delete

Wow...my family's first computer was an ATARI, with a tape recorder type storage...my brother understood it, but I didn't. I bought an Apple second hand, for about 100 dollars, the 2C, I think, green screen for the monitor. I kept it in my classroom for my students to play number munchers. Couldn't do much else with it. My Mom spent about 2000 for her apple system a couple of years later, which I inherited in the mid-90's. We bought our first PC system in 1999, and it was a good 2,000$ for the package.

The nice thing now is that prices are a bit more reasonable, so even if your purchase depreciates, it's probably going to last several years!

Fun lens!

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Fitzcharming Jul 13, 2011 @ 8:35 am | delete

Well this certainly brings back memories - especially the visitor comments about Commodore 64 and dos based games. Good grief we've come a long way. Thank heavens.

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Tolovaj Jul 8, 2011 @ 11:02 pm | delete

I remember even older computers, ancestors of first IBM PC (we shall never forget how heads of IBM declared nobody in the world would never need more than 640 K RAM!) Spectrum and Commodore. I was saving for my first PC with floppy disk so long, the prices dropped down and finally I got PC with hard disk (40 Mb memory!). This computer was a turning point in my life in many points. I do not think I could become a professional writer without a computer. For typewriter I was just not fast enough... Thumbs up:)

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celeBritys4africA May 5, 2011 @ 1:28 am | delete

A great review and a computer history lens.

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StaciJansma Dec 8, 2009 @ 2:23 pm | delete

Computer update: Now a owner of an iMac (again!) The blue one this time. Mainly as a secondary computer.

Reply

WindyWinters Oct 12, 2009 @ 10:16 pm | delete

Our first home computer had Windows 95 and was just a basic PC. Since then we have had two Dell computers and now I'm saving up for a laptop! I really enjoy computers and have a lot of fun on the internet. I would die for a Mac! :)

Reply

kab Sep 27, 2009 @ 9:43 pm | delete

My first was a Commodore 64. I miss those DOS based adventure games. lol

Reply

bdkz Sep 9, 2009 @ 5:16 pm | delete

I remember all of these. How cool!

Reply

momto4 Sep 9, 2009 @ 10:19 am | delete

I think our first computer was an Apple. I remember is being big and very slow. It took forever to get anything done on it. Now we have Dell. It's amazing how much computers have changes throughout the years.

Reply

mukunda22 Sep 8, 2009 @ 9:01 pm | delete

I do love my Macs, but also love the PC--Love Love Love all things computer!!

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Third Computer: HP Compaq NX6310 Laptop

HP Laptop Compaq NX6310 Model

- works great!

This laptop has been a lifesaver for my husband and I.

We first decided to purchase a laptop when we were admitted to the hospital with pregnancy complication of our first born child. After being told you are not leaving the hospital until she is born -- we purchased a laptop within 24 hours after I was admitted and it was delivered a few days after she was born!

We were advised that due to premature delivery she would be in the hospital for a few weeks - unsure when she would go home until she was here and they could decide. My husband and I took it upon ourselves to be organized and planning for the next few weeks - so after we received the laptop which was shipped overnight - we then order the Verizon Broadband Wireless card to give us instant access wherever Verizon service is.

This was the best decision ever! I sat next to her bedside -- as she grew I starting to type up the recipes that I have been clipping for the past few months to years and gathering what I wanted. I am sure the nurses thought I was crazy - but honestly I had to keep my mind busy since I could not really hold my daughter - as she was born a preemie - 6 weeks early. She needed to grow and I understood this. So I just kept myself busy and focused for the 2 weeks that she was in the NICU.

Photo courtesty of EasyLinux.de.

What can we find on Amazon today?

HP Laptop choices...

Mac and Windows

Apple Computer Ad - Mac & Windows 95

An early Macintosh ad showing a Mac running Mac OS and Windows 95

Let's see -

Which do you prefer?

Mac

mukunda22 says:

Mac Hands Down!! Better Customer Service, too!!

PC

Tolovaj says:

PC was my first choice because of open architecture. Apple is cute and cool and has its advantages but I think PC will stay my favorite for ever.

Nibbled says:

Have to say PC. My hubby is good with computers and can swap parts out as needed for easy upgrades. I haven't had a "new" computer in almost a decade, but just about every part in the computer has been upgraded at some point.