No ‘old school’ technology is truly ‘vintage’ as long as it still serves its purpose. Sort of.
Despite its age, one of my laptops is still chugging along with Windows 7, the last version of Windows that could be owned outright. The hunt for a replacement battery is proving to be a monumental task.
But I refuse to give up on it. The idea of constantly shelling out for a new laptop doesn’t sit right with me – I believe in buying once and keeping for the long haul (though I did lose the CD).
And that’s not even my oldest piece of tech – there’s a Dell Dimension XPS-B series from the 90’s still running on XP because of some essential legacy programs.
Then there’s the original “La Machine” from the late 80’s, a true vintage item still functioning with a few missing parts, much like myself!
I thought I held the title for the “Oldest Technology” champ until I discovered there are still some brave souls out there using… rotary phones.
YOUR TURN
What about you? What’s the oldest piece of technology you own and what’s the story behind why you’ve held onto it? Share with us in the comments!
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” offers a unique perspective on Old School New York City. Send your suggestions for Open Threads to her at editor@seniorplanet.org.
