15 ’80s Home Computers That Are Now Museum Pieces
Many home computers from the 1980s are now preserved in museums for their role in shaping early personal computing.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
The 1980s saw the rise of personal computers in homes across the world. Many of these machines introduced features that became standard in later decades. Today, several of these models are displayed in museums as important examples of early computing technology.
1. Commodore 64
Luca Boldrini on Wikimedia Commons
Released in 1982, the Commodore 64 sold more than 12 million units worldwide. It had 64 kilobytes of RAM, strong sound and color graphics, and used cartridges or cassettes. It was widely used for games, schoolwork, and programming. Many museums include it as a key part of personal computer history.
2. Apple IIe
Felix Winkelnkemper on Wikimedia Commons
The Apple IIe came out in 1983 and remained in production for nearly a decade. It featured better memory and a full keyboard compared to earlier Apple II models. It was used in homes, schools, and small businesses. It is displayed today to show Apple’s early role in home computing.
3. IBM PC 5150
Reseletti on Wikimedia Commons
IBM launched the PC 5150 in 1981 with an Intel 8088 processor and 16 to 64 kilobytes of RAM. It supported floppy drives and ran MS-DOS, which became a common operating system. Its open architecture allowed third-party parts, setting a lasting standard. Museums show it as the start of the modern PC era.
4. Atari 800XL
stiefkind on Wikimedia Commons
Released in 1983, the Atari 800XL came with 64 kilobytes of RAM and advanced graphics for the time. It used cartridges and was compatible with earlier Atari software. It supported both games and productivity tools. It is kept in collections to represent Atari’s home computing efforts.
5. Sinclair ZX Spectrum
Marcin Wichary on Wikimedia Commons
The ZX Spectrum was released in 1982 in the UK with a compact design and rubber keyboard. It used cassette tapes for loading programs and had limited but colorful graphics. It became popular for gaming and basic programming. It is displayed today for its impact on the UK’s tech culture.
6. Tandy TRS-80 Model III
Andrew Filer on Wikimedia Commons
The TRS-80 Model III came out in 1980 as an upgrade to earlier TRS-80 models. It had a built-in monitor, keyboard, and floppy drives, all in one unit. It was commonly used in schools and small offices. Museums keep it as a sample of early all-in-one computing.
7. Amiga 1000
Rama & Musée Bolo on Wikimedia Commons
The Amiga 1000 launched in 1985 with 256 kilobytes of RAM and strong graphics and sound capabilities. It could run multiple programs at once, which was rare at the time. It was used in video production, games, and digital art. It is preserved for its early multimedia features.
8. Apple Lisa
Timothy Colegrove on Wikimedia Commons
Released in 1983, the Apple Lisa was one of the first computers with a graphical user interface and a mouse. It used Motorola’s 68000 processor and came with one megabyte of RAM. Its high price limited sales, but it influenced later Apple products. Museums often display it as a turning point in user interface design.
9. BBC Micro
Stuart Brady on Wikimedia Commons
The BBC Micro was released in 1981 in the UK for educational use. It supported BASIC programming and was used in many schools. It helped teach programming and computer use to a generation of students. It is kept in museum collections focused on computing education.
10. MSX Computers
AUIC Oficial on Wikimedia Commons
MSX was a standard for home computers created by Microsoft and ASCII Corporation in 1983. Companies like Sony, Panasonic, and Yamaha built MSX machines. They shared common software and hardware formats. These computers are preserved to show the attempt at a unified home computer platform.
11. Coleco Adam
Fuzheado on Wikimedia Commons
The Coleco Adam was introduced in 1983 as an expansion to the ColecoVision console. It included a keyboard, printer, and cassette drive. It had software for word processing and games, but hardware issues affected its reputation. It is remembered in exhibits as a unique mix of game and home computing.
12. Epson HX-20
Wolfgang Stief on Wikimedia Commons
Launched in 1981, the Epson HX-20 is often considered the first portable computer. It included a small LCD screen, a keyboard, a printer, and rechargeable batteries. It was used mainly for mobile data collection and business tasks. Museums include it as an early step toward modern laptops.
13. NEC PC-8801
phreakindee on Wikimedia Commons
Released in 1981 in Japan, the NEC PC-8801 became a platform for popular games and productivity software. It used an 8-bit Zilog Z80 processor and supported colorful graphics. Many Japanese developers created early titles on this machine. It is kept in museums focused on Japanese computing history.
14. Sharp X1
Bramfab on Wikimedia Commons
The Sharp X1 series was released in 1982 with strong graphics and RGB monitor support. It came with built-in BASIC programming and was known for clear video display. It had TV tuner input, allowing it to be used with a television screen. It is preserved for its unique hardware features.
15. Texas Instruments TI-99/4A
Jzh2074 on Wikimedia Commons
The TI-99/4A came out in 1981 with a 16-bit processor and solid metal case. It supported cartridges and used a keyboard for input. It was promoted for both education and home use. Museums often feature it as an early example of advanced hardware in the home market.