The Hottest Holiday Tech Gifts Of The 80s And 90s: Super Nintendo ...

A Great Tech Rivalry From Long Ago

<blockquote>This year, buying a video-game system will be different. Super Nintendo, for example, offers two configurations: with two controllers and the Super Mario World game for $150, or with one controller and noincluded game for $100. Additional controllers sell separately for $20, and Super Mario World sells for $50. Sega is offering its Genesis system with one controller and the popular Sonic the Hedgehog game for $130; with one controller but without the game, it's $100. Sonic the Hedgehog sells separately for $55. - <a href="http://w3.nexis.com/new/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T16244389789&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T16244389793&cisb=22_T16244389792&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=11802&docNo=4" target="_hplink">The Dallas Morning News, December 1992</a> </blockquote> * In 2012, the great gaming rivals are Nintendo (Wii U), Microsoft (Xbox 360) and Sony (PlayStation 3). (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ceris/2507952469/">Image via Flickr user ceris42</a>).

The One Gift That Every Computer Buff Truly Appreciates

<blockquote>What is the one gift that every computer buff truly appreciates? Floppy disks! Whether the object of your Christmas spirit is a novice "hacker" or an experienced programmer, a box of disks is always welcome under the tree or stuffed into a stocking. - <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q5tdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yVwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4227,3911919&dq=computer+gift+ideas&hl=en" target="_hplink">The Telegraph-Herald, December 1988</a></blockquote> * Do you remember the days when the 'Save' icon <a href="http://www.hanselman.com/blog/TheFloppyDiskMeansSaveAnd14OtherOldPeopleIconsThatDontMakeSenseAnymore.aspx">was once a real object</a>?

iPad, Surface, Or KayPro?

<blockquote>For anyone aiming at portability, the Kaypro II folds up into its own case. The machine is unbeatable at its price of $1,595 and includes Perfect Writer, Perfect Speller and other software programs. With a little dickering, you can often talk the dealer into offering a large discount on a printer to go with the Kaypro II and go home with a good combination for less than $2,000. - <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q5tdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yVwNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4227,3911919&dq=computer+gift+ideas&hl=en" target="_hplink">The Telegraph-Herald, December 1988</a></blockquote> * Kaypro filed for bankruptcy in 1992. <a href="http://oldcomputers.net/">Image via OldComputers.net.</a>

I Would Prefer It If You Didn't Affectionately Call Me That

<blockquote>Among the other offerings for hard-core computer fanatics, who are often affectionately called propeller-heads, are multicolored propeller beanies ($10) and baseball caps ($12). - <em><a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1990-12-05/business/1990339052_1_computer-paper-pillowcases-spreadsheets" target="_hplink">The Baltimore Sun</a></em>, December 5, 1990. </blockquote> * "Propeller-heads" has since fallen out of use in describing computer fanatics.

Kids, This Is What Printer Paper Used To Look Like

<blockquote>For those who are convinced their significant others would actually sleep with the computer if given the chance, consider Spreadsheets, cotton-polyester percale bedsheets printed to resemble the ubiquitous green-bar fan-fold computer paper found in offices, right down to simulated tractor-feed holes along the sides. (The bars appear to be periwinkle blue, however.) A twin set, including one flat sheet, one fitted sheet and one pillowcase, costs $59.95. A queen set, with two pillowcases, is $79.95. Extra pillowcases are $19.95 a pair. - <a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1990-12-05/business/1990339052_1_computer-paper-pillowcases-spreadsheets" target="_hplink">The Baltimore Sun, December 1990</a></blockquote> * We couldn't find an image of the tractor-feed paper bedsheets. Anyone still sleeping on them?

N.W.A. Meets MS-DOS

<blockquote>Poetry Processor: Perfect for rappers, songwriters, poets, or teachers. Contains everything you need to write formal poetry, from sonnets to villanelles. Includes form editor, rhyming dictionary, and much more, $89.95 - <a href="http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue147/72_101_great_gift_ideas.php" target="_hplink">Compute! Magazine, December 1992</a></blockquote> * "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/27/science/personal-computers-software-to-help-you-wax-poetic.html">Poetry Processor</a>" was made by Professor Michael Newman, "a protege of poet W.H. Auden and former editor at the Paris Review," <a href="http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-12735941.html">per a 1992 Article in Computer Shopper</a>. The Poetry Processor could run on the original Macintosh PowerBook, at left, which retailed for anywhere between $2,299 to $4,599, <a href="oldcomputers.net">per OldComputers.net</a>

Microsoft Office Costs HOW Much??

<blockquote>The Microsoft Office for Windows: Four business applications in one package. Microsoft Word for Windows (word processing), Microsoft Excel for Windows (spreadsheet), Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows (presentation graphics), and Microsoft Mail Windows Workstation (electronic mail for PC networks). List price, $799 - <a href="http://www.atarimagazines.com/compute/issue147/72_101_great_gift_ideas.php" target="_hplink">Compute! Magazine, December 1992</a></blockquote> * (For an eye-opening video demonstration of Office '92, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsTydF09hbg">check out this video from CreativeNights on YouTube</a>).

Remember When You Had To Pay For These Things? Part 1

<blockquote>Speaking of fiddling with Windows, several companies have recently introduced stunning and often fun screensavers. Disney Software has just come out with the Disney Collection that I haven't tried but have heard a rave from one user. The Energizer Bunny, too, is a favorite. Prices vary, but generally screensavers can be found for under $30. - <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6gYhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZHYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4148,3234112&dq=computer+gift+ideas&hl=en" target="_hplink">The Hour, December 1993</a></blockquote> * A version of the Energizer Bunny screensaver, to your left, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87992800/energizer-bunny-screensaverwallpaper">recently sold on Etsy for $4.50</a>.

Remember When You Had To Pay For These Things? Part 2

<blockquote>Sharp has a new line of electronic address books. The Sharp OZ-8000 Wizard ($360) stores up to 1,500 phone numbers. Rolodex has gone high-tech with a 4-inch invention called The Business Card-- another gadget to store phone numbers. - <a href="http://w3.nexis.com/new/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T16244389789&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T16244389793&cisb=22_T16244389792&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=144576&docNo=11" target="_hplink">Palm Beach Post, 1991</a></blockquote> * Ebay seller ewcm99 <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Four-4-Sharp-Wizard-OZ-8000-Series-Electronic-Organizers-/221134122931?">tried to sell four Sharp Wizard OZ-8000s in October</a>, starting at $50 for the set. The auction received zero bids.

Death, Taxes And Scarcity Of Apple Products

<blockquote><a href="http://oldcomputers.net/appleiigs.html" target="_hplink">Apple IIGS</a>: If you can find one, the Apple IIGS will probably please anyone who likes ot show off his or her creative abilities. At around $1,000 for the basic machine, the IIGS excels in its graphics and sound capabilities... Because the machine is a very recent introduction, it is about as easy to find right now as a game of Lazer Tag. - <em><a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6gYhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ZHYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4148,3234112&dq=computer+gift+ideas&hl=en">The Day, December 1986</a></em></blockquote> * You can <a href="http://oldcomputers.net/appleiigs.html">read much more about the Apple IIGS on the excellent OldComputers.net</a>.

Try To Wrap Your Mind Around This One

<blockquote>Pioneer is pushing something called the Laser Karaoke System. First introduced in bars and restaurants, the Karaoke systems (from $700 to $1,600) give people at home the chance to sing-along with "visually exciting music videos." - <a href="http://w3.nexis.com/new/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T16244389789&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T16244389793&cisb=22_T16244389792&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=144576&docNo=11" target="_hplink">Palm Beach Post, 1991</a></blockquote> * Karaoke, obviously, only became more popular from there. LaserDiscs, however? Not so much. (<a href="http://john-the-revelator-does-karaoke.blogspot.com/2011/01/siskel-and-ebert.html">Image via John The Revelator</a>).

Something Tells Me This Guy Won't Be Impressed With The Kindle Fire

<blockquote>For $500, Sony's DATA Discman plays computer-ready books on a little screen. What can you do with it? "Basically, you just read the book," Sweeney says. - <a href="http://w3.nexis.com/new/results/docview/docview.do?docLinkInd=true&risb=21_T16244389789&format=GNBFI&sort=BOOLEAN&startDocNo=1&resultsUrlKey=29_T16244389793&cisb=22_T16244389792&treeMax=true&treeWidth=0&csi=144576&docNo=11" target="_hplink">Palm Beach Post, 1991</a></blockquote> * An early forerunner of the Kindle and Nook. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/technology/1010/gallery.ereader_history/index.html">CNNMoney has a visual history of the eReader here</a>.

Google Fiber, Eat Your Heart Out

<blockquote>But a modem is needed to connect. Quickcomm of Milpitas, Calif., sells its Spirit II 14,400 bps (bits per second) modem for $250. Some distributors discount it to about $200. It also comes iwth FAX software. Many modems in that speed range are priced at $400-$600. As an example, I transferred a 220,000 byte [ed: .20 MB] file -- the equivalent of about 24,000 words -- in 16 minutes at 2,400 bps. That amounts to 3.45 minutes for transferring the same file, called downloading, with a QuickComm at 14,400 bps, a real savings if it's a long distance call. - <a href="http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7_4hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5tIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2285,2107382&dq=computer+gift+ideas&hl=en" target="_hplink">The News-Journal, December 1992</a></blockquote> * If you've got the need for speed in 2012, you can <a href="http://www.a1usedcomputers.com.au/shop/prodView.asp?idproduct=1661">purchase a Spirit II from A1 Used Computers in Australia for $20</a>.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/07/tech-gifts-1992_n_2247665.html

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