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Vintage Computer
@vintage.computer
40 followers 13 following 95 posts
🖥 Vintage computing facts & nostalgia, served fresh daily. Punch cards optional.
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The first “portables” like the Osborne 1 weighed over 20 lbs, with a screen smaller than a smartphone! They were more suitcase than laptop, but they paved the way for the tech we take for granted today. #VintageComputing #RetroTech #Osborne1 #ComputerHistory #VintageComputer
Alt-text transcription: Image titled “Wow That’s Fascinating – Early Laptops Were the Size of a Suitcase.” The design features white monospaced text on a dark blue background framed by a light gray border, mimicking a retro computer terminal. Text reads: “The first ‘portable’ computers, like the Osborne 1, weighed over 20 pounds and had a tiny screen nestled between two floppy drives. With a handle bolted on, they were lugged around like a typewriter in a briefcase. Today’s tablets are infinitely lighter—and infinitely more powerful.” At the bottom, small icons of a globe and circuit appear next to the text vintage.computer.
November 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
Released in 1983, the Compaq Portable was the first truly IBM PC-compatible computer. By reverse-engineering IBM’s BIOS, Compaq made a legal clone that could run MS-DOS flawlessly, paving the way for the PC boom. #VintageComputing #Compaq #RetroTech #PCHistory #VintageComputer
Infographic titled “Tech Spec Tuesday – Compaq Portable.” The design features a blueprint-style background with blue and white panels. In the upper left, a photo shows the Compaq Portable computer — a beige, suitcase-style “luggable” machine with a built-in monochrome CRT display and detachable keyboard that doubles as the front cover. On the right, text reads: About this machine: “The Compaq Portable, released in 1983, was the first successful IBM PC-compatible computer. It featured full BIOS compatibility, allowing it to run MS-DOS software seamlessly. Its luggable form factor and legal cloning changed the PC industry forever.” A specification table lists: CPU: Intel 8088 @ 4.77 MHz Memory: 128–640 KB Storage: Dual 5.25” floppy drives, later HDD optional Graphics: Monochrome CRT, CGA-compatible Networking: Optional ISA expansion Notes: First true IBM PC-compatible clone At the bottom right corner, the text vintage.computer appears in white on a dark blue box.
November 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
The Go programming language, designed by Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike, and Ken Thompson, was released on November 10th, 2009. Go focused on simplicity, concurrency, and performance. #VintageComputing #GoLang #Programming #TechHistory #VintageComputer
Image titled “Milestone Monday – November 10th, 2009.” The background features a dark starry night sky with a stylized yellow sunrise graphic at the bottom. On the left is the Go programming language logo in blue, showing the word “GO” with motion lines extending from the G. On the right, yellow text reads: “The Go programming language was released on this day in 2009; it was designed by Robert Griesemer, Rob Pike, and Ken Thompson at Google, and it was intended to improve productivity when programming for multicore and networked machines.” At the bottom center, the text vintage.computer appears in gold.
November 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
A timeless reminder from Confucius: “A workman who wants to do his work well must first sharpen his tools.” Preparation and precision, whether in code, circuits, or craftsmanship, make all the difference. #VintageComputing #Inspiration #Confucius #TechWisdom #VintageComputer
Image titled “Maintenance Mode.” The background shows a beautiful beach at sunset, with waves rolling onto the shore and the sky glowing in orange and violet hues. A blue box with gold trim overlays the image, containing the white text: “A workman who wants to do his work well must first sharpen his tools.” — Confucius At the top, a matching blue sign with gold edges reads “Maintenance Mode.” At the bottom right corner, a small gold-bordered tag reads vintage.computer.
November 9, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
Inside a 1980s U.S. Census Bureau computer room, from an era when entire rooms were filled with mainframes, tape drives, and terminals. Data processing on this scale powered the nation long before “the cloud” was even a dream. #VintageComputing #RetroTech #Mainframe #TechHistory
Image titled “Snapshot Saturday.” The design features a brown filmstrip border with white text at the top reading “U.S. Census Bureau employees, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.” The central black-and-white photograph shows a U.S. Census Bureau computer room from the 1980s. Rows of large mainframe computers and tape drives line the back wall, while several employees sit at desks equipped with computer terminals and keyboards. The floor is tiled with raised panels typical of mainframe environments, and large columns divide the space. At the lower right corner of the image, the text vintage.computer appears in white on a brown label.
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
Free Software Friday! This week’s pick: OpenRA, an open-source project that brings classic RTS titles like Command & Conquer: Red Alert and Dune 2000 back to life with modern enhancements. Build, conquer, and relive the glory days of 90s strategy gaming! 👉 http://www.openra.net
Image titled “Free Software Friday – OpenRA.” The design features a large light-purple CD graphic centered on a gray background. Text printed on the CD reads: OpenRA Author: OpenRA Devs Release Date: 2007 Get It: www.openra.net About: An open-source implementation of real-time strategy games like Red Alert and Dune 2000. At the top, bold black text reads “FREE SOFTWARE FRIDAY.” At the bottom right corner, in smaller text, is vintage.computer.
November 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
Before laptops, there were “luggables.” Early portables like the Kaypro could technically travel, if you didn’t mind carrying 25 pounds of metal, CRT, and floppy drives. Not exactly a “lap-top". #VintageComputing #Kaypro #RetroTech #PortableComputers #VintageComputer
Image titled “Throwback Thursday – ‘Luggable’ computers.” The background shows a soft desert sand landscape with a magnifying glass icon near the title. In the center, a Kaypro 10 computer is shown — a large gray portable computer with a built-in green monochrome CRT display, dual floppy drives, and a detachable keyboard resting flat in front. The display shows green text in a command-line interface. Text at the bottom reads: “The ‘luggable’ computer was the first portable computer. Resembling a large tool box (and just as heavy) these early machines were technically portable but they definitely didn’t fit on your lap (or even have a battery).” At the bottom right corner, the text vintage.computer appears in brown.
November 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
Windows uses CRLF, Unix uses LF, and that tiny difference has broken scripts, configs, and friendships alike. The “line ending war” dates back to the mechanical quirks of teletypes and typewriters. #VintageComputing #Unix #Windows #RetroTech #Programming
Image titled “Wow That’s Fascinating – CRLF vs LF: The Line Ending War.” The design mimics a retro computer terminal, with green monospaced text on a black screen framed by a gray border. Text reads: “Windows uses CRLF. Unix uses LF. This minor formatting difference has broken scripts, configs, and friendships. It all dates back to typewriters and teletype machines.” At the bottom, green symbols of a globe and circuit icon appear beside the text vintage.computer.
November 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
Released in 1987, IBM’s PS/2 Model 30 brought the sleek PS/2 design and 3.5” floppy drive into homes and offices. Powered by the Intel 8086, it helped define the late ‘80s IBM PC experience. #VintageComputing #IBM #PS2 #RetroTech #VintageComputer
Infographic titled “Tech Spec Tuesday – IBM PS/2 Model 30.” The design uses a blue and white blueprint-style background. On the left, a photo shows an IBM PS/2 Model 30 computer setup, including a beige desktop case, CRT monitor displaying blue text, keyboard, and joystick. On the right, text reads: About this machine: “Released in 1987, the PS/2 Model 30 was IBM’s entry-level model for the PS/2 series. It featured the new Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) in higher models, a redesigned case, and the debut of the now-standard 3.5” floppy disk.” A specification table lists: CPU: Intel 8086 @ 8 MHz Memory: 640 KB base, expandable Storage: 20 MB HDD, 3.5” floppy drive Graphics: MCGA Graphics Networking: Optional Network Card Notes: Part of IBM’s PS/2 lineup with MCA bus At the bottom right corner is the text vintage.computer.
November 4, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
On this day in 1971, the first edition of UNIX was released. Developed by Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie at Bell Labs, UNIX ran on the PDP-11 and went on to shape nearly every modern operating system. #VintageComputing #UNIX #TechHistory #KenThompson #DennisRitchie
Image titled “Milestone Monday – November 3rd, 1971.” The background features a dark, starry sky with a stylized yellow sunrise graphic at the bottom. At the top, large yellow text reads: Milestone Monday – November 3rd, 1971 To the right, text reads: “The first edition of UNIX was released on November 3rd, 1971. Developed and compiled on the PDP-7 at Bell Labs to run on the brand new (at the time) PDP-11/20 minicomputer. It was designed by Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie, and it’s hard to overstate the influence and impact it had on all aspects of computing.” At the bottom center, the text vintage.computer appears in gold. On the left is a black-and-white photograph labeled “Ken Thompson (left) and Dennis Ritchie (right).” Both are smiling and facing the camera. Below the photo, small text credits: “http://www.catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/U/Unix.html
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
Maintenance Mode 🌿 A timeless reminder from John Ruskin:
“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.” Whether you’re restoring a vintage machine or writing clean code, craftsmanship always matters. #VintageComputer #MaintenanceMode
Image titled “Maintenance Mode.” The background shows a lush, sunlit forest with rays of light filtering through tall green trees. Overlaid on a translucent green box bordered in gold is a quote in yellow text: “Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.” — John Ruskin At the top, a green banner with gold trim reads “Maintenance Mode.” At the bottom right, a gold label contains the text vintage.computer.
November 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
vintage.computer
Snapshot Saturday 🖥️

The IBM System/36: a mainframe you could fit right in your office. Launched in 1983, it brought multiuser business computing to small and mid-sized companies before PCs caught up. #VintageComputing #IBMS36 #RetroTech #Mainframe #VintageComputer
Image titled “Snapshot Saturday – IBM System 36: a mainframe that fits in your office.” The design features a brown filmstrip border with the title at the top. The central photograph shows an IBM System/36 computer—a large, off-white floor-standing unit with a slanted top housing control panels, indicator lights, and a paper feed area. It sits in a small office space next to wooden shelving, carpeted flooring, and storage containers, emphasizing its “office-sized” design. A credit beneath the photo reads: “MHMCCabe at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IBM_System36_5360_(1).jpg.” At the bottom right corner, the text vintage.computer appears in white on a brown label.
November 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
🆓💾 Free Software Friday!

Today’s pick: Plan 9 from Bell Labs: a visionary OS that carried the Unix spirit into the next era of distributed computing. 🖥️
Grab it here ➡️ https://p9f.org

#VintageComputer #FreeSoftwareFriday #Plan9 #BellLabs #Unix
Text on image: “FREE SOFTWARE FRIDAY Plan 9 Author: Bell Labs Release Date: 1995 general release Get it: https://p9f.org About: Developed in the late ’80s, Plan 9 replaced Unix as Bell Lab’s platform for operating systems research. vintage.computer” Image description: The graphic features a stylized CD labeled “Plan 9” with informational text about the software. The CD is light yellow with a gray center, set against a muted gray-blue background with a beige header reading “FREE SOFTWARE FRIDAY.”
October 31, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
Throwback Thursday ☎️ Before Wi-Fi or even Ethernet, early computer users connected to bulletin boards with acoustic coupler modems, literally strapping a phone handset into rubber cups to send and receive data over analog lines. #VintageComputing #RetroTech #VintageComputer
Image titled “Throwback Thursday – Acoustic Coupler Modems.” The background features soft desert sand tones with a magnifying glass icon near the heading. In the center is a photograph showing a vintage Atari 800XL computer connected to an acoustic coupler modem. The modem has an orange rotary telephone handset resting in two black rubber cups, which are designed to hold the earpiece and mouthpiece to transmit data acoustically. A small tape drive sits beside the setup, and a CRT monitor in the background displays a game screen. Caption below the photo reads: “Wolfgang Stief, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atari_800XL_with_Modem.jpg.” Beneath the image, text reads: “In order to connect to message boards from the first PCs, computer enthusiasts often had acoustic coupler modems that would be able to send and receive digital signals over an analog telephone line.” At the bottom right corner is the text vintage.computer.
October 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
When the Altair 8800 appeared on the cover of Popular Electronics in 1975, it ignited the personal computer revolution, and even inspired Gates and Allen to write the first version of BASIC for it. #VintageComputing #Altair8800 #RetroTech #ComputerHistory #VintageComputer
Image titled “Wow That’s Fascinating – The Altair 8800 Launched a Revolution.” The design resembles a retro computer terminal with orange monospaced text on a black background framed by a beige border. Text reads: “When the Altair 8800 appeared on the cover of Popular Electronics in 1975, it sparked the personal computer movement—and inspired Gates and Allen to write BASIC for it.” At the bottom, a small orange circuit icon and globe symbol appear beside the text vintage.computer.
October 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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Introduced in 1970, the DEC PDP-11/20 was the first in the legendary PDP-11 line. Its modular UNIBUS design and elegant instruction set made it a cornerstone of computing in labs, industry, and education. #VintageComputing #DEC #PDP11 #RetroTech #VintageComputer
Infographic titled “Tech Spec Tuesday – DEC PDP-11/20.” The design features a blueprint-style background with a dark blue information panel. A photo in the upper left shows a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-11/20 computer with its distinctive red and black front panel, featuring switches and indicator lights. To the right, text reads: About this machine: “Introduced in 1970, the PDP-11/20 was DEC’s first in the PDP-11 series and brought an elegant, orthogonal instruction set that influenced many future architectures. With its modular UNIBUS design, it became a popular platform in labs, industry, and education.” A specification table below lists: CPU: 18-bit UNIBUS, discrete TTL logic Memory: 4 KB to 248 KB Storage: Paper tape, later disk/tape systems Graphics: None standard, text terminal output Networking: None standard, serial/terminal interfaces Notes: First PDP-11 model in a legendary line At the bottom right corner is the text vintage.computer.
October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
On this day in 1980, the ARPANET, the ancestor of the modern Internet, crashed for the first time. A faulty IMP (early router) brought the network down for hours. The solution? The first-ever network reboot. #VintageComputing #InternetHistory #ARPANET #RetroTech #VintageComputer
Image titled “Milestone Monday – October 27th, 1980.” The design has a dark starry background with a stylized sunrise shape at the bottom. At the top, bold yellow text reads: Milestone Monday – October 27th, 1980 On the left is a photo of an Interface Message Processor (IMP) — a beige rack-mounted device with rows of switches and indicator lights. The label on the front reads “INTERFACE MESSAGE PROCESSOR.” A caption below the photo reads: “FastLizard4, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interface_Message_Processor_Front_Panel.jpg.”
October 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
A timeless reminder from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

Even vintage systems need a reboot now and then. 🖥️✨ #VintageComputing #Inspiration #Emerson #Resilience #VintageComputer
Image titled “Maintenance Mode.” The background features soft golden sand dunes under warm evening light. At the top, a blue sign-shaped banner reads “Maintenance Mode.” Below it, a larger blue box with gold trim contains white text of the quote: “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson At the bottom right corner, the text vintage.computer appears in white on a small blue
October 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
A classroom full of BBC Micro computers: the Acorn machines that powered UK education in the 1980s, introducing thousands of students to computers and coding, helping spark Britain’s computing revolution. #VintageComputing #BBCMicro #Acorn #RetroTech #TechHistory #VintageComputer
Image titled “Snapshot Saturday.” The design features a brown filmstrip border and header text reading “A classroom’s worth of Acorn Computer’s BBC Micros, in the UK.” The central photograph shows a computer lab with rows of vintage BBC Micro computers, each with a monitor and keyboard. The machines are arranged neatly along long white tables with chairs in front of them. In the background, several people are standing and talking, while others sit at workstations. A colorful geometric mural decorates the wall, and posters hang around the room.
October 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
Free Software Friday 💿

Today’s pick: OpenTTD: an open-source remake of Transport Tycoon Deluxe! Build railways, manage cities, and expand your transport empire with tons of community-made mods and maps. Get it free at 👉 http://www.openttd.org
Image titled “Free Software Friday – OpenTTD.” The design features a light purple CD graphic on a gray background. Text on the CD reads: OpenTTD Author: OpenTTD Team Release Date: March 14, 2004 Get it: www.openttd.org
October 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
Throwback Thursday ⌨️

Long before RGB keys, many home computers were their keyboards. From the Atari 800 to the ZX Spectrum, these all-in-one machines packed everything under the keys. Some felt great to type on. Others… not so much. #VintageComputing #RetroTech #HomeComputers
Image titled “Throwback Thursday – Computers in Keyboards.” The background features soft desert sand dunes with a magnifying glass icon beside the heading. In the center, a beige Atari 800 computer is shown, photographed from a slightly elevated angle to display the keyboard and casing. The keyboard has dark keys with orange and yellow function keys on the right side. Below the image, text reads: “Many early home computers were all-in-one affairs that had all the computer components built into a case underneath a keyboard. Computer manufacturers of the time experimented with all kinds of layouts, hotkeys, and switches. Some keyboards had satisfying mechanical switches and others had infuriatingly bad membrane keypads.” A small photo credit appears under the computer: “Evan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atari-800-Computer-FL.jpg.”
October 23, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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Whether or not Bill Gates ever said it, that 640KB limit defined the early IBM PC era, and reminds us how far computing has come (and how bloated software has gotten). #VintageComputing #RetroTech #BillGates #IBMPC #VintageComputer
Image titled “Wow That’s Fascinating – Bill Gates Once Said 640KB Was Enough for Anyone.” The design features white monospaced text on a blue background with rounded corners and a light gray border, resembling a retro computer terminal window. Text reads: “There’s a famous quote—often attributed to Bill Gates—suggesting that ‘640KB ought to be enough for anybody.’ Whether or not he actually said it, that was the original memory limit for IBM PCs. It’s a reminder of how rapidly our expectations—and software bloat—have grown.” At the bottom, small white icons of a globe and circuit chip appear beside the text vintage.computer.
October 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
Released in 1977, the Tandy TRS-80 Model I helped launch the home computer revolution. Affordable, expandable, and backed by a growing software library, it powered early games and business tools for a generation of hobbyists. #VintageComputing #TRS80 #Tandy #VintageComputer
Infographic titled “Tech Spec Tuesday” featuring the Tandy TRS-80 Model I. The layout has a blueprint-style background and blue panels with white text. A photo of the Tandy TRS-80 Model I shows a compact gray computer with an integrated keyboard, monitor, and cassette storage unit. Below the image: “Flominator, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TRS-80_Model_I_-_Rechenmuseum_Cropped.jpg”
October 21, 2025 at 12:00 PM
vintage.computer
On this day in 2004, Ubuntu 4.10 “Warty Warthog” was released by Mark Shuttleworth’s Canonical Ltd. Focusing on community and accessibility helped bring Linux to the masses, and it’s still thriving today. #VintageComputing #Ubuntu #Linux #OpenSource #TechHistory #VintageComputer
Image titled “Milestone Monday – October 20th, 2004.” The background is a dark, starry sky with a stylized sunrise graphic at the bottom. On the left, there’s a photograph labeled “Install disks for Ubuntu 5.0.” It shows two red compact discs — one labeled “install CD” and the other “live CD” — on a blue surface, alongside an Ubuntu CD sleeve featuring a group of smiling people. A credit below reads: “Kubux. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ubuntu_5.10.JPG.”
October 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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A timeless reminder from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: “Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” A fitting mantra for design, engineering, and elegant code. #VintageComputing #Minimalism #TechWisdom #VintageComputer
Image titled “Maintenance Mode.” The background shows a vivid natural landscape with green hills and a bright sky, illuminated by a rainbow stretching from left to right. In the center, a dark translucent box contains the quote in white text: “Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry The title “Maintenance Mode” appears above the quote in white text on a blue sign-like banner with beveled corners. At the bottom right corner is the website vintage.computer.
October 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM