20 Retro Tech Devices We Wish We Could Find Today
Rediscover the tech treasures of yesteryear with these 20 retro gadgets we’d love to see reimagined for today, blending nostalgia with modern innovation!
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
Retro tech gadgets hold a place in our hearts, intermingling nostalgia with the innovation of days gone by. From the chunky Apple Newton to the iconic Sony Walkman, these devices marked eras and revolutions in living, working, and playing. Reimagining these classics with modern technology would not only be a delightful homage to their legacy but could also create a new wave of must-have gadgets for today’s tech-savvy world.
1. Apple Newton (1993)
Rama & Musée Bolo from Wikimedia Commons
The granddaddy of personal digital assistants (PDAs), Apple’s Newton was ahead of its time with handwriting recognition—though famously quirky at launch. This chunky device had the spirit of an iPad trapped in a calculator’s body. Imagine how sleek it would be today with modern tech behind it!
2. Sony Walkman TPS-L2 (1979)
Anna Gerdén from Wikimedia Commons
The OG portable music player, the Walkman, made music mobile for the first time. Sliding on those sponge-covered headphones was an extraordinary ritual. In today’s Bluetooth world, wouldn’t a modernized Walkman with retro looks but wireless capabilities be the ultimate hipster flex?
3. Nintendo Virtual Boy (1995)
Jzh2074 from Wikimedia Commons
Nintendo’s first attempt at virtual reality was… a headache-inducing monochrome mess, but oh, the ambition! A clunky red visor and janky 3D graphics made it a flop but reimagined today; it could compete with modern VR headsets. Plus, the nostalgia would be unbeatable.
4. PalmPilot (1996)
Rama & Musée Bolo from Wikimedia Commons
Before smartphones took over, the PalmPilot was the ultimate organizer for the tech-savvy professional. You could tap away with a stylus, managing your calendar, notes, and even primitive games. Imagine if a new version came out today with a retro shell but full Android power inside.
5. Atari 2600 (1977)
Evan-Amos from Wikimedia Commons
The console that started it all, the Atari 2600, brought arcade gaming to your living room. Its iconic wood-paneled design screams ’70s cool, and those joystick controllers are definitely tactile joy. A modern edition with 4K support would be a retro gaming dream.
6. Commodore 64 (1982)
Luca Boldrini from Wikimedia Commons
The best-selling computer of all time, the C64 was a beast for gaming and early programming. It’s impossible not to love its blocky keyboard and satisfying typing sounds. It’d fly off the shelves if it made a comeback as a mini PC or retro-style keyboard.
7. Game Boy Camera and Printer (1998)
Ashley Pomeroy from Wikimedia Commons
A camera that turns your Game Boy into a low-res photo machine and a tiny printer for sticky pictures—what’s not to love? This charmingly pixelated tech was TikTok before TikTok. Reimagined with modern cameras and small printers, it would be the perfect device for instant retro fun.
8. LaserDisc Players (1978)
Dillan Payne from Wikimedia Commons
The gigantic shiny disc was the precursor to DVDs and Blu-rays, offering superior picture quality for the time. Watching movies on those dinner-plate-sized discs felt futuristic and absurdly luxurious. A new LaserDisc player with streaming capabilities would be both ironic and wondrous.
9. IBM Model M Keyboard (1985)
BorgHunter from Wikimedia Commons
This click-click keyboard is the sound of productivity. These old tanks were made and engineered to provide typing satisfaction. Newer keyboards can be tried; however, nothing would top off that tactile magic of Model M.
10. Psion Series 5 (1997)
Snowmanradio from Wikimedia Commons
The Psion Series 5 was the laptop’s pocket-sized cousin, with a fold-out QWERTY keyboard and surprising power for its size. It was basically a typewriter for the 21st century… from the 20th century. Updated for today, it could easily replace tablets and netbooks.
11. Casio G-Shock Data Bank (1984)
cisnky from Wikimedia Commons
A calculator and phone book inside a watch? This clunky beauty is the smartwatch of the ’80s. A modern data bank from Casio with fitness tracking and smartphone connectivity would be nostalgic and helpful.
12. Sony Trinitron TV (1968)
Roboat06 from Wikimedia Commons
Sony Trinitron is the analog display of choice. Those who were its consumers never forgot to boast about their colorful, crispy, and crystal-clear images. These days, gamers hunt for these beasts to play their retro consoles at full glory. A reborn Trinitron, with OLED technology and a retro design, would surely be a showstopper.
13. Sharp Wizard (1988)
Satmap from Wikimedia Commons
In today’s terms, the “electronic organizer,” Sharp Wizard, resembled having a Rolodex, calendar, and little calculator in the palm. Its clunky keyboard and very tiny screen made it business chic in the 1980s. A new one could give any modern smartphone some serious minimalist productivity vibes.
14. Tamagotchi (1996)
Cpd1009 from Wikimedia Commons
Tamagotchis, the ultimate digital pet, was a rite of passage for any ’90s kid. Feeding, cleaning, and sometimes mourning the pixelated friend became part of everyday life. A comeback with AR integration might make virtual pet care an obsession all over again.
15. Kodak Disc Cameras (1982)
Rama from Wikimedia Commons
These little odd cameras used disc-shaped film cartridges to shoot compact, circular photos. They were pocket-friendly and stylish at the time, though the images weren’t exactly the most impressive. A revival using digital sensors could create another wave of retro photography geeks.
16. SEGA Dreamcast VMU (1999)
Asim Saleem from Wikimedia Commons
The Dreamcast’s VMU was part memory card, part mini-game console, and part status screen for games. It was a futuristic concept that felt like holding the future in your palm. Rebooting this as a modern handheld accessory would blow the minds of gaming fans.
17. Polaroid SX-70 (1972)
Thomas Backa from Wikimedia Commons
The Polaroid SX-70 was the first instant SLR camera, folding into a slim form factor with a timeless aesthetic. It was an engineering marvel that made instant photography cool and classy. A reimagined digital version with instant-print options could redefine the selfie era.
18. JVC VideoSphere (1970)
Sailko from Wikimedia Commons
The TV is shaped like a space helmet—need we say more? The JVC VideoSphere was the epitome of futuristic ’70s design, with a screen that looked like it belonged on the Starship Enterprise. A smart TV version of this would be an instant statement piece.
19. Texas Instruments Speak & Spell (1978)
FozzTexx from Wikimedia Commons
An educational toy and vocabulary-building robot, Speak & Spell, has a robotic voice that haunts our dreams. It was fun, quirky, and a little eerie in its charm. Imagine an AI-powered version teaching kids coding and language skills.
20. Sony MiniDisc Player (1992)
Retired electrician from Wikimedia Commons
The MiniDisc player was a bridge between CDs and MP3s, compact and high-tech in its time. It’s a shame those futuristic discs never caught on in the mainstream. A Bluetooth-enabled MiniDisc revival might be the ultimate retro-audio flex.