What are Retro Computers ?

Written by Mark Baxman in Amiga,Amstrad,Atari,Commodore 64,General Info,Repairs,Restoration,ZX Spectrum

Retro computers, also known as vintage or classic computers, refer to older computer models and systems that were popular in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. While considered outdated by today’s technological standards, retro computers hold a special place in the history of computing and still maintain an enthusiastic following among vintage tech collectors and hobbyists.

Defining Retro Computers

Most definitions of retro or vintage computers include systems that are at least 10-20 years old or a few generations behind current technology. Some key characteristics of retro computer systems:

  • They use older and slower processors like 8-bit CPUs or 16-bit CPUs, rather than modern 64-bit CPUs. Popular retro processors include the Intel 8080, Motorola 6800, MOS 6502, Zilog Z80, and Intel 80386.
  • They have very limited amounts of memory and storage compared to today’s computers. Common RAM capacities ranged from 4KB to 640KB for early systems. Storage was typically floppy disks and later hard drives below 100MB.
  • Older CRT monitors and televisions were used for display output rather than LCD or LED screens. Standard graphics resolutions were 320×200 or 640×480 pixels for early PCs.
  • Early operating systems like CP/M, DOS, Commodore BASIC, Apple DOS, AmigaOS, and classic Mac OS.
  • Peripheral devices like 5.25” and 3.5” floppy disk drives, daisy wheel printers, dot matrix printers, cassette tape drives, etc.
  • They rely on older wired connections like serial and parallel ports rather than modern wireless connectivity.

So in summary, retro computers cover a broad range of 8-bit and 16-bit machines from the 1970s to early 2000s that represent the early generations of home computers and gaming systems. They are characterized by simple, low-power CPUs, very limited memory and storage, textual or low resolution graphics, and older OSes and languages.

Significant Retro Computer Systems

There are many iconic retro computer systems that paved the way for modern computing. Here is a brief overview of some of the most significant models:

Early Home Computers

  • Apple II (1977) – One of the earliest and most popular home computers, noted for its excellent graphics capabilities. It used a 1 MHz MOS 6502 CPU and came with 4KB to 48KB of RAM.
  • Commodore PET (1977) – Another early home computer with integrated keyboard and monitor. It used a 1MHz MOS 6502 and had 4KB to 96KB RAM.
  • TRS-80 (1977) – Sold by RadioShack, the TRS-80 line was one of the first mass-market home computers. The original model had a 1.77 MHz Z80 CPU and 4KB RAM.
  • Atari 400/800 (1979) – Popular 8-bit computers designed primarily for home gaming but also used for productivity. Featured custom graphics and sound chips.

8-bit Home Computers

  • Commodore VIC-20 (1980) – Inexpensive computer notable for its 5KB RAM expansion and for popularizing computers in homes.
  • Sinclair ZX80 (1980) – Low-cost, minimalist 8-bit computer with 1KB RAM, designed and sold by Clive Sinclair in the UK.
  • BBC Micro (1981) – Educational 8-bit system built for the BBC’s Computer Literacy Project in the UK. It used a 6502 CPU.
  • Commodore 64 (1982) – One of the best-selling home computers of all time, with impressive graphics and sound. It used a 1MHz 6510 CPU.
  • MSX (1983) – Popular 8-bit standard developed by Microsoft, which was adopted by many Japanese electronics firms.

16-bit Home/Personal Computers

  • Apple Macintosh (1984) – One of the earliest popular computers with a graphical user interface and mouse. It helped spur the desktop publishing revolution.
  • Atari ST (1985) – Influential 16-bit computer noted for its high-resolution monochrome graphics and MIDI interface for music.
  • Amiga (1985) – Featured advanced graphics and audio capabilities for its time, particularly in gaming. It used the 16/32-bit Motorola 68000 CPU.
  • IBM PC/AT (1984) – IBM’s second generation PC line popularized the 80286 CPU and MCA architecture, cementing IBM’s dominance in business computing.

Early Portable Computers

  • Osborne 1 (1981) – An early portable CP/M computer that was commercially successful despite its high price and bulky design.
  • Epson HX-20 (1981) – Small battery-powered computer notable for its microcassette tape storage and built-in keyboard and display.
  • Compaq Portable (1983) – Early portable compatible with the IBM PC. It helped establish Compaq as a major PC brand.
  • Macintosh Portable (1989) – One of the first laptops from Apple, weighing 15 pounds with an active matrix LCD screen.
  • Apple Newton (1993) – An early PDA that popularized handwriting recognition, but was ahead of its time in terms of power and usability.

Retro Gaming Consoles

In addition to home computers, vintage gaming consoles like the Atari 2600, Nintendo Entertainment System, and Sega Genesis played a major role in shaping consumer electronics and popular culture:

  • Atari 2600 (1977) – Helped launch the home console market with classic arcade ports like Space Invaders and Pitfall. Featured an 8-bit 6502 CPU.
  • Nintendo Entertainment System (1983) – Revitalized the gaming industry after the video game crash. It hosted classic games like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.
  • Sega Genesis (1988) – Rival console to the NES noted for its full color graphics and games like Sonic the Hedgehog. It used a 16-bit 68000 CPU.
  • SNES (1990) – The Super Nintendo was the iconic 16-bit home console of the early 90s, hosting acclaimed games like Super Mario World and Final Fantasy III.
  • PlayStation (1994) – Sony’s first console, featuring CD-ROM storage and 3D graphics. It helped popularize CD gaming with titles like Ridge Racer and Tekken.

Hardware Design and Components

Under the hood, retro computer systems looked quite a bit different than modern tech. Here are some of the key hardware components and capabilities of vintage computers:

CPUs

Early home computers and gaming consoles used very simple 8-bit CPUs:

  • The MOS 6502 was an extremely popular 8-bit chip used in systems like the Apple II, Atari 2600, and Commodore 64. It ran at 1-2 MHz.
  • The Zilog Z80 was another common 8-bit CPU powering machines like the TRS-80, Sinclair ZX80, and Nintendo Game Boy.

Later 16-bit systems used CPUs like:

  • The Intel 8088 found in the original IBM PC. It had an 16-bit external bus but 8-bit internal registers.
  • The Motorola 68000 used in the Apple Macintosh, Atari ST, and Amiga. It was a full 32-bit CPU.
  • The Intel 80286 in the IBM PC/AT could run 16-bit software 4 times faster than the 8088 while maintaining backwards compatibility.

Memory and Storage

Memory capacities were extremely limited by today’s standards:

  • RAM capacities ranged from 4KB on early systems to several hundred KB. The original IBM PC came with 16KB to 256KB RAM.
  • Early storage was primarily audio cassettes and 5.25″ floppy disks, later replaced by higher capacity 3.5″ disks and hard drives up to 100MB.

Graphics and Sound

Retro computer graphics were fairly simplistic, low-resolution and often just text-based:

  • Text-only output using command lines or BASIC programs.
  • Low resolution graphics modes like 320×200, 640×400, etc. using simple color palettes.
  • CGA, EGA, and VGA graphics adapters for PCs offered color graphics up to 640×480 resolution.

Sound capabilities were also primitive:

  • Simple beeps from PC speakers.
  • Dedicated sound chips like the SID chip in Commodore systems offered multiple audio channels.
  • The IBM PCjr had a 3-voice sound chip capable of speech synthesis.
  • The Adlib and Sound Blaster cards brought sampled instrument audio to PCs.

Peripherals and I/O

Vintage computers used a variety of now-obsolete peripheral ports:

  • Serial and parallel ports for connecting mice, modems, printers, and other devices.
  • Floppy and hard disk controllers like ST-506 and ESDI provided storage I/O.
  • PS/2 connectors superseded bulky DA-15 game ports and serial mouse ports.
  • SCSI handled higher speed devices, while IDE/ATA was used for hard drives.
  • Composite video, RF modulator, and coaxial ports output video signals to CRT monitors and televisions.

Physical Form Factors

Early computers came in a variety of shapes and sizes:

  • Compact all-in-one designs like the Commodore PET, Macintosh, and Atari ST integrated the processor, keyboard, and display in one case.
  • The IBM PC popularized a modular, separate components design requiring a distinct monitor.
  • “Luggable” suitcase designs like the Osborne 1 and Compaq Portable made systems transportable.
  • Towers like the IBM PC/AT and desktop cases established standard form factors that are still in use today.

Operating Systems and Software

Retro computer systems ran very simple operating systems and software:

  • CP/M – Precursor to DOS popular on 8-bit machines until the 1980s. Did not support subdirectories or user accounts.
  • DOS – Disk Operating System used on most IBM compatibles and clones through the 1980s and 1990s. Provided basic file management via command line.
  • AmigaOS – The default for the Commodore Amiga line. Featured a Workbench GUI with multitasking and advanced graphics support.
  • Mac OS – Apple’s operating system featuring the Finder for GUI file management and support for graphical programs.
  • Windows – Provided a user-friendly graphical shell for DOS and allowed cohesive GUI apps. Went through major versions like 3.1, 95, and 98 in the retro era.

Languages and Programming

Early home computers also included built-in languages and simple programming environments:

  • MS BASIC – The most common dialect that shipped with everything from PCs to 64s. Included simple commands for I/O, math, graphics, and sound.
  • Logo – A language focused on teaching programming concepts using simple turtle graphics commands.
  • HyperTalk – The English-like scripting language included with early Mac software like HyperCard.
  • PASCAL – A very popular high-level procedural language used for early application and game development.
  • Assembly – Low-level language used for system programming and time-critical functions like games. Required deep hardware knowledge.

Productivity Software

Best-known retro computer productivity apps:

  • Lotus 1-2-3 – The killer spreadsheet app that propelled uptake of IBM PCs in business.
  • WordStar – Early dominant word processor and precursor to WordPerfect. Required lots of key combinations to operate.
  • VisiCalc – The first spreadsheet program that demonstrated the power of personal computer business applications.
  • Microsoft Office – Suite of apps including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which rose to dominance in the 1990s.
  • PageMaker – Groundbreaking desktop publishing software from Aldus that enabled easy professional layouts.

Gaming

Retro computers also hosted classic games that helped form the foundation of the gaming industry:

  • Mystery House – An early text adventure for the Apple II considered one of the first graphical adventure games.
  • Ultima – Influential open world fantasy RPG series from Richard Garriott/Lord British. Spanned multiple early platforms.
  • Tetris – Legendary puzzle game originally written for Soviet computers by Alexey Pajitnov before exploding onto western systems.
  • SimCity – Open-ended city building simulation from Maxis that founded the “Sim” franchise.
  • Doom – Seminal first-person shooter from id Software known for pioneering immersive 3D graphics.

Retro Computer Culture and Community

Beyond their technical functions, retro computers helped spawn distinct subcultures of enthusiasts and collectors:

  • Retro gaming – Playing and preserve old computer and video game systems. This may involve restoring hardware, copying game media, or using emulators.
  • Demoscene – Programming visual demos that push retro computer graphics and sound to the limit. Started on platforms like the Amiga.
  • Chiptunes – Producing music using vintage sound chips found in 8-bit and 16-bit computers and consoles.
  • Hardware hacking – Circuit bending, case modding, overclocking and other hardware experiments to customize or enhance retro machines.
  • Software preservation – Creating archives and documentation for outdated operating systems, games, applications, and programming languages.
  • Vintage computing museums – Public venues and private collections focused on preserving historic computer hardware, documentation, and memorabilia.

Popular online forums and groups for retro tech discussion include Vogons.org, Reddit’s /r/retrobattlestations, the Classic Mac subreddit, and AtariAge. Retro tech also has a strong presence on YouTube with restoration videos and gameplay footage. Major conventions like the Midwest Gaming Classic also bring together retro collectors for exhibits and guests.

Overall, retro computers remain a beloved and fascinating milestone in the evolution of personal tech and home electronics. Their limitations paved the way for today’s exponentially more powerful devices, while also providing an experimental environment that enabled bold innovation. For many tech enthusiasts, exploring vintage computer history is a valuable window into the origins of modern computing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Retro Computers

What is the oldest retro computer?

Most consider the earliest commercial home computers like the MITS Altair 8800, IMSAI 8080, and Apple I prototypes from the mid-1970s to be among the first retro machines. However, even older experimental computers from the 1960s and earlier could qualify as retro to some collectors.

How much RAM did early retro computers have?

Very small amounts by modern standards – often just a few KB. For example, the 1977 Apple II had 4KB standard, the 1981 Sinclair ZX81 had 1KB, and the 1982 Commodore 64 had 64KB RAM. RAM didn’t reach 1MB levels in mainstream home computers until the late 1980s.

What ports and connections did retro computers use?

Common retro computer ports included RF/antenna ports, composite video, coaxial video, parallel ports, serial ports, PS/2, SCSI, and proprietary connections for keyboards, mice, joysticks, and storage. Ethernet and wireless networking did not become common until the late 90s.

Could you program retro computers?

Yes, programming was a major selling point of early home computers in particular. They included built-in BASIC interpreters for writing simple games and software. Assemblers and compilers were also available for low-level and commercial development using languages like Pascal, C, or 6502 assembly.

What was the most popular retro computer?

The Commodore 64 is considered the best selling single computer model of all time, selling over 17 million units between 1982 and 1994. Other retro models with over 10 million sales include the Commodore VIC-20, Atari 2600 game console, and Sinclair ZX Spectrum line.

Are people still using retro computers today?

There is an active community of vintage computer enthusiasts who restore, collect, emulate, and sometimes still use retro machines today. Reasons include nostalgia, the challenge, educational and historical insights, and interest in early game and software development. The community spans collectors, museums, forums, and events like Vintage Computer Festivals.

How can I get started with retro computers?

Options include: buying original hardware on auction sites, joining a local vintage computing group, checking thrift stores and flea markets, playing early games and software on emulators, watching YouTube videos on retro tech, visiting museums showcasing computer history, and reading through archives of magazines like Byte or Computer Gaming World from the 1980s and 90s

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