The 1980s was a decade that defined many of the technological breakthroughs of our time. From the first CD player to the smartest home TV, there were plenty of tech and electronics that we'd probably love to be able to experience again today. To bring back the memories and to inspire the next generation, we've compiled this list of the greatest 80s technology products.
Personal Computers as well as MS-DOS
Thanks to several pioneering releases by IBM, the 1980s saw personal computers take off. These machines were made to be comparable to mainframe-sized machines which have been in use for decades. This created a whole new market for copycat manufacturers and software designers.
These machines were also incredibly powerful, and could run any software you wanted to install on them. You could make your own operating system, no matter what type of software you were using, to get the most out of your machine.
If you were a serious computer user, there would be an IBM PC in your collection. It was a primitive computer by modern standards, with 64KB RAM and a 16 bit 4.77Mhz processor. However, it could run CP/M and a few programs.
Atari 2600 Walkman
If there's one gadget from the 1980s that we would still be able to see in stores today, it would be the Walkman - an audio cassette player that could be carried around with you in your pocket and used for music, video and radio. It was a defining device for the 80s and helped to push the cassette out of the vinyl era, paving the way for the rise of the iPod.
Answering Machines
We all know the old saying "an answer is to every problem can be obtained by phone calls." However, before answering machine technology, you would need to wait for the call to be recorded on two separate cassette tapes. These cassette tapes were large and took a lot of time to read. This was an incredible advancement for the '80s, and it changed the way we used phones forever.
Casio Calculator Watches
Calculator watches became popular in the mid-1980s. They were worn around the wrist as a kind of electronic address book. They had a few buttons on them to do basic sums, and a few more to store all your details.
Smart Homes
The 1980s saw the beginning of a massive revolution in smart technology, with intelligent home systems and smart appliances being developed. These devices became the brains in your house and allowed you to turn it into a smart, automated home.
VHS versus Betamax
If you remember the 80s, you'll know that there was a huge debate over which format should be used for recording television. The VHS standard was launched in 1976. This was a huge improvement over its predecessor, Betamax, which was only one year earlier.
FAQ
How can I avoid being conned when shopping online?
When purchasing online, it is important to stay vigilant. Before you make a purchase online, be sure to read reviews and review the feedback of customers. You should never send financial information via email. Instead, you should use secure sites such as PayPal. You can rest assured that your information will be safe by using this secure site.
What are the reasons I shouldn't believe all the hype about sales in online and offline shops?
Sometimes, sites will overstate the starting price of an object to make you appear to be saving more. Make sure to add the item you are interested in to your shopping cart so it doesn't get lost. Then, search Google for the designer name and type of product that you are searching for. You may find that the amazing deal you thought you were getting isn't actually so great after all. You might be able find the same item for less.
Are there any tips or tricks to help me save money while shopping online?
You should first make a list. Next, go through your list and choose the one that you want to purchase at a lower price. Once you have made your choice, compare prices on different websites. Make sure you find the lowest price possible on each product.
Can I buy clothes online and return them?
Absolutely! Online shopping is now easier than ever. All major retailers offer free returns. You can simply print a label, and then drop it off in the mail.
Keep in mind, however, that you will not receive a refund if the item has been received. To return the product if you have a different opinion, please let us know.
Statistics
- The tax is automatically added once you click the checkout button, so factor in an additional 20% when looking at the product page. (makeuseof.com)
- A report from the U.S. Census Bureau found that in the first quarter of 2022, an estimated $250 billion was spent on retail e-commerce sales.1 (thebalance.com)
- The vast majority only change a password to protect privacy a few times a year (27 percent) or, more likely, never (35 percent). (pcmag.com)
- Your Online Purchases 79% of Americans purchased goods and services online in 2018, which is expected to exceed 90% in 2023. (meetfabric.com)
External Links
How To
How can I create a grocery list?
A grocery list should include items you regularly buy at your local supermarket. These are the categories you should include in your grocery list:
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Produce (vegetables, fruits)
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Meat/fish
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Dairy products (milk cheese yogurt, cheese)
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Snacks & sweets
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Drinks
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Other groceries
The most important thing when making a grocery list is to keep it simple. Not writing down every meal you eat each day is a waste of time and can lead to a complicated list. Try to find out what ingredients you use frequently and add them to your list. You may like something different, so add it to your list!
You can also save yourself some work if you know which recipes you often cook. Many online recipe databases allow you to search for ingredients and print the recipe. Or, you could take a photograph of the ingredient list to save it in Evernote for later reference.
For inspiration, see our article on making a grocery list.