Category: Retro Computing

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Discover the Latest Vintage Computer Trends with AI-Powered Insights!

If you’re a vintage computer enthusiast or collector, you’re in for a treat! I’ve just launched a powerful new tool on Geek Gear Store that brings  AI technology to the world of retro computing. With my new website, you can now access current trend analysis reports specifically tailored to a carefully selected lineup of classic machines.

Now Featuring 10 Iconic Vintage Computers!

To kick things off, we’re currently featuring 10 of the most beloved vintage computers that helped shape the history of personal computing:

      • Commodore 64 (1982)
      • Apple IIe (1983)
      • Sinclair ZX Spectrum (1982)
      • Atari 800 (1979)
      • TRS-80 Model 100
      • Amiga 500
      • Atari ST
      • IBM PC 5150
      • Tandy Color Computer 2
      • Texas Instruments TI-99/4A

Continue reading “Discover the Latest Vintage Computer Trends with AI-Powered Insights!”

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Keyboards for Gaming and General Everyday Use.

I stumbled upon an original IBM 101 keyboard while cleaning out my basement, which brought back memories of my first computer.(yes I’m that old) Although I couldn’t truly test it since I don’t have a DIN to USB converter, I was intrigued by its tactile feedback and wanted to experience something similar in a modern mechanical keyboard.

I’ve been searching for a keyboard that captures the essence of this old model without breaking the bank. With various options available, I tested several keyboards to determine which one best fits my needs. I’m not a hard core gamer so I’m not going to get into the nitty-gritty of mechanical switch brands, colors and such. My intention here is to point out some keyboards that I have personally tried and like.

my overall pick (and now a good value)

The Mountain Everest Max – I picked one of these up for Christmas in December of 23 and it was $199.  According to the latest Amazon listing its now going for $99. Wow 1/2 price in under a year.

Features I like:

Continue reading “Keyboards for Gaming and General Everyday Use.”

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1940’s Zenith Radio Restomod

Old radio enthusiast please don’t send me hate mail after reading this blog. I know many of you will frown on what I have done to this 80+ year old radio. I promise you this Zenith will get tons more use in its current condition rather than in original form.

The project consisted of gutting the original electronics from the radio and replacing them with newer more modern tech. Resulting in a working radio that still has the spirit of the original.

Parts List – Hardware
MS Surface

An older Microsoft Surface Pro 3 – I don’t recommend you go out and purchase a surface for this project. Re-purposing and old laptop, or tablet is ideal to keep the cost down. I’m sure you could even use a Raspberry Pi with an external display. I just happened to have an old Surface that needed a new job. Continue reading “1940’s Zenith Radio Restomod”

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The Superior Instruments Dynarometer 1260 Vintage Electronics Restoration

I am still trying to figure out the back story on this restoration project. What I do know is this is a Dynarometer Model 1260, under the bezel of the meter movement is says Superior Instruments Co, New York NY made in USA. I am not sure if these were sold as a kit or even the exact model year. If I was to guess I would say 1950’s give or take a few years.

A friend was tossing this out so I adopted it and decided to keep it from the landfill. It was dirty and quite rusty. After a through examination to make it operational again would be virtually impossible, however restoration as a piece of art would be the second best thing.

TOOLS YOU CAN USE

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Does anyone remember the floppy disk punch / notcher?

Floppy disks are all but a memory for most. They have gone the way of the tape cassette and VHS tape. I can remember back in the late 80’s and early 90’s shopping Radio Shack for 5 1/2 disks to feed my Commodore 64 1541 disk drive. The only issue was the 1541 could only write one side of the disk, so the backs of the disks were wasted. Disks were expensive a 3 pack would run $15 or more!

Floppy Disk
Wow Expensive!

 

As luck would have it, a creative person would develop a solution to alleviate some of the pain my 15 year old self was suffering due to my full allowance going to floppy disk procurement.

 

The 5 1/4 Disk Punch!

Continue reading “Does anyone remember the floppy disk punch / notcher?”

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Emerson 888 “Atlas” Nevabreak Pocket Radio

I was cleaning out the closet again and stumbled across this Emerson 888 Atlas radio. It was given to me by my grandfather and according to the internet it was released by Emerson in 1958/59.

An over view of the Emerson 888 ATLAS
Atlas 888
The Atlas 888

It is amazing how technology has changed in the last 60 or so years! This radio was capable of tuning the AM band radio stations using 4 AA batteries.

It boasted 8 transistors, and said it was a pocket radio. Pocket? It is way too large to fit in any pocket. Think Mr. Spock’s tricorder. The radio came with a leather carry case with a strap. Continue reading “Emerson 888 “Atlas” Nevabreak Pocket Radio”

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Modern twist on a retro cassette tape

Customized 16GB USB Drive – Looks Like A Cassette – Size Of A Credit Card – With Pouch!

Growing up in the 1980’s I was exposed to various types of analog media. I did have a record player, but they were not “cool” at that moment and I only owned a few LP’s. I even had a chance to dabble with my parents  8 track tapes, however they were on the decline when I discovered music. The medium of choice for my generation was the cassette tape. (until the compact disk came out)

Remember the old days

I can remember heading over to the local mall to shop Sam Goody’s huge assortment of cassettes, and then stopping by my local Radio Shack to purchase blanks to make copies for my friends. That was another life, when we all had high speed dubbing Dolby tape decks and “piracy” was still on the seas!

 

I was reminiscing the other day about how far we have come with digital media and was wondering how I could combine my love for cassette tapes into a digital format. I started taking apart my old tapes and trying to merge a USB drive into them, but didn’t have much luck. Then I had an ah-ha moment and decided rather than convert a cassette into a USB drive, why not make a USB drive that looks like a cassette.

The USB Cassette Was Born!

Continue reading “Modern twist on a retro cassette tape”

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Don’t Throwaway That Old iMac Keyboard – Use It On Your Tablet

Cleaning out the basement yet again I stumbled on an old 20″ iMac. By today’s standards this thing is a huge piece of junk. 250GB hard drive, 1GB RAM, Core 2 processor. At 11 years old its better suited as a boat anchor then a functional computer.  However the standard equipment iMac Keyboard does function as a blue tooth keyboard and can be used with other devices.

I happen to like the iMac keyboard, it feels a little small at first, however once you get accustomed to the feel it makes a great companion to any device.

The keyboard is relatively easy to pair to your device if you follow these simple steps.

How to pair an iMac Keyboard

Continue reading “Don’t Throwaway That Old iMac Keyboard – Use It On Your Tablet”

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Commodore 64 Mini – Looks Like fun!

Well folks here’s another retro gaming platform revitalized into a mini computer.  The C=64 was and still is my all time favorite platform and this Mini version may be on my purchase list once its released in March. First we saw the NES Classic Edition hit stores before Christmas 2016 and it was an immediate sell out, followed by the Super NES was released last year for $199.99 at Amazon The next logical step was to release the Commodore 64 Mini!

Commodore 64 Mini – will be released with 64 games!

Continue reading “Commodore 64 Mini – Looks Like fun!”

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Make a Sony E-Reader Picture Frame

The technology world is continuously changing. Today’s awesome technology is tomorrows trash, its just a simple fact of life. I truly believe we should do what we can to reduce, reuse and recycle our old tech.  Today while rummaging through the archive of stuff I came across an old Sony PRS-600.

The Sony PRS-600 was released in 2009 and by all standards ready for the trash heap. Before sending this device off to its finial resting place I decided to make a cute black and white picture frame.

Step 1 – Prepare the PRS-600

Using an old  2GB SD card, I loaded up around 300 of my favorite photos, inserted it into the unit. On the settings menu I configured the PRS-600 to never shut off, and run a perpetual slide show with a 60 second delay between images. Continue reading “Make a Sony E-Reader Picture Frame”

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