Will CRT monitors make a comeback?

Will CRT monitors make a comeback?

A friend asked me if CRT monitors will make a comeback. I can tell from the way he asked that he expected my answer to be no. “Do they hold up?” he asked.

CRT monitors already have made a comeback. At least that’s what the numbers say. I had a basement full of them and it took me years to get rid of them. I couldn’t give them away. They’d be worth a fortune now, but I needed the space for other things. That said, I’m glad I kept the three that I did.

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Atari 400 versus 800

Atari 400 versus 800

The Atari 8-Bit line is the most underrated 8-bit computer. And I’m biased. I’m a Commodore fan going way back. I’m not supposed to like Atari. The 400 was the low end of the line, and the 800 was the original high end machine. Atari expanded the line over time, but let’s look at the 400 versus 800, the first two machines in the line. Read more

What does dot matrix mean?

What does dot matrix mean?

What does dot matrix mean? Dot matrix printers were the dominant form of computer printer for around 20 years. Although they are largely obsolete today, they do still have niche uses. For example, if you get a paper paycheck, it’s probably printed with a dot matrix printer.

Dot matrix printing gets its name from the technique it uses. It defines a rectangular matrix consisting of dots, usually nine or 24 dots across. The fewer dots in the matrix, the more noticeable the gap between the dots, resulting in crude looking letters. The text is recognizable, but looks very much like it was printed by a computer.

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Advantages of CRT over LCD

Advantages of CRT over LCD

CRT displays certainly have a following. And there are any number of reasons for that. I generally prefer LCD, but there are times when CRT is better, especially when it comes to retro gaming. In this blog post, I’ll cover the advantages of CRT over LCD.
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Computer Reset, Dallas

Computer Reset, Dallas

Computer Reset was a large used computer store and warehouse in northeast Dallas whose heyday was in the 1980s and 1990s, but it remained a go-to source for vintage and retro computer parts into the 2010s. Its fame grew after it closed in 2019 when several prominent Youtubers visited the facility and made videos about it.

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IBM PC Compact Printer model 5181

IBM PC Compact Printer model 5181
The IBM PC Compact Printer is a bit of a misnomer, as it was really intended for the PCjr. But it ended up working with a bunch of other computers as well as part of its second act. Here’s the story of IBM’s inexpensive model 5181 printer.

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Coleco Expansion Module 1

Coleco Expansion Module 1

The Coleco Expansion Module 1 was a product that added Atari 2600 compatibility to the ColecoVision game console. The product immediately allowed Coleco to claim the ColecoVision had the largest software library of any game console. It is a famous but widely misunderstood product.

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IBM PC/AT 5170 hard drive types

IBM PC/AT 5170 hard drive types

The IBM PC/AT had a troubled history with hard drives. And if you’re using one today, even if it had one of the better hard drives in it, after 35-40 years it may not work. Here’s what you need to know about IBM 5170 hard drive types to substitute newer drives for it.

The IBM 5170 defined either 14 or 22 different hard drive types, depending on the BIOS revision. You’ll get best results if you choose something that can emulate one of the existing types.

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IBM 5162 PC/XT 286: The AT in XT clothing

IBM 5162 PC/XT 286: The AT in XT clothing

The IBM PC/XT-286, also known as the IBM 5162 or IBM model 5162, was a short-lived computer from IBM announced in 1986 and released in 1987. It was a difficult computer to understand at the time, and had a mixed reception when it was new, although it has a cult following today. In this blog post, I’ll explain what was wrong with this PC at the time, and what makes it appealing to hobbyists now.

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Motherboard plastic standoff removal tool

Motherboard plastic standoff removal tool

YouTuber Adrian Black was repairing a dilapidated AT motherboard with battery damage and mentioned how tedious it is to remove motherboard plastic standoffs with needle nose pliers and other tools. I have an unconventional but cheap and effective motherboard plastic standoff removal tool. I’ve been using it since the early ’90s.

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