Article created by: Shelly Fourer

If you're a nostalgic person, it's hard to say goodbye to things. Tech is no exception: according to a recent CNET survey, 31% of U.S. adults still have their old smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, and other accessories because they aren't sure what to do with them.

Others keep them for nostalgic reasons, and since CDs, DVDs, and wired earphones are becoming trendy again, they might be onto something. Like the Sony Walkman collector Mark Ip, who spent around $10k on the three Tiffany Walkmans he now owns.

Whether it's because we're creatures of habit or want to collect vintage stuff, we just can't say goodbye to things that have newer and better alternatives nowadays. We were curious to find out what obsolete things folks still own and use, so we've scoured two Reddit threads and found the most interesting answers.

From paper book and typewriter lovers to those who swear by using a map and a compass, it turns out some people really live by the mantra "Oldie but goodie".

Bored Panda got in touch with the person who started this discussion, u/frozenflat. The Redditor, who is a software engineer named Ron K., kindly agreed to tell us more about his own experience with old tech and why he's more of a fan of digital. Read our conversation with him below!

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#1

Modern desktop setup with a large monitor, keyboard, gaming controllers, and speakers showcasing outdated tech still in use. Desktop PC. Some things I don't want to do on a small screen.

tdr37303 , Sebastian Bednarek Report

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mike_139 avatar
Mike Goslin
Mike Goslin
Community Member
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not outdated... There are many things you can not do on a small screen.

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    #2

    Hand using a computer mouse next to a laptop, illustrating one of the outdated things people refuse to stop using. My computer mouse. I have a laptop. The touch pad for the cursor is awkward for me to use. My mouse is more comfortable. I am good with touch screens, though.

    goddess_of_fear , jcomp Report

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    #3

    Bicycle.

    Dutch btw, so it's a different ballgame for me. I see so many e-bikes, especially those fashionable fat-bikes, zip by. In such a hurry to get into an accident without a helmet. I'll stick to leaving on time on my oldfashioned 8-gear citybike, so I may take my time to enjoy the scenery along the ride, and stay out of trouble.

    Jutter70 Report

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    #4

    Hands browsing through vintage vinyl records at a market, showing people refusing to stop using outdated things. My physical media:
    Records
    CDs
    Games.

    P00slinger , freepik Report

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    #5

    Person using a compass and an old-fashioned map, swearing by outdated things they refuse to stop using Map and compass when hiking. GPS is great, but relying on it is asking for trouble and you don't learn the ground in the same way.

    ImpressNice299 , Sylwia Bartyzel Report

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    #6

    Classic Casio digital watch on wrist, an outdated thing some people still refuse to stop using. Watch.

    Not decorative, just a cheap Casio Illuminator.

    rboymtj:

    Yea, I've looked onto smart watches and they're cool and all but I'm not giving up my gshock. I'm so used to not having to think about my watch that I don't want to have to charge the thing every day.

    Ok_Spell_4165 , aditya_sethia_97 Report

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    #7

    Old-fashioned photo printer with green power light on, representing outdated things people refuse to stop using. A printer that you plug into a laptop with a cable to print something.

    I have never had a printer that you need to use an app or wifi for that works, there's always an issue.

    100percentAPR , Prasopchok Report

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    #8

    Plumb bob .. as a carpenter I see a lot of the younger guys using lasers on door frames and such. I still prefer my trusty plumb bob.

    mrmikey106 Report

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    #9

    I see a lot of people putting pen/pencil and paper.

    My pick: typewriter

    No electricity, looks neat and professional. You can type on note cards and envelopes without fiddling with a settings screen. Good way to disconnect if electronics distract you from working.

    Biggest reason: it can be used where laptops can't because of security or EMI while still much faster than handwriting.

    Troncross Report

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    #10

    Vintage Sony Walkman cassette player on wooden table representing outdated things people refuse to stop using My walkman!

    Badabbacus:

    Went to a museum and saw a CD walkman behind glass and thought to my self I must be antique now. 

    depressionsquirrels , Li Zhang Report

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    #11

    My old Crockpots. Those things cook.

    papasnork1 Report

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    #12

    Flip phones, arguments hit harder when you can slam it shut.

    Janisejane Report

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    #13

    I've had the same alarm clock for 25 years.  A few years ago I saw one absolutely identical for sale.

    papermaker83 Report

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    #14

    My safety razor from 1963.

    Close shave, no razor burn and blades cost pennies.

    Syberz Report

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    #15

    Hand pressing a button on an outdated fax machine, representing outdated things people refuse to stop using. My scanner/printer/fax that uses dry toner. I we don’t print much but it keeps on keeping on.

    Icy-Ad-7767 , Getty Images Report

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    #16

    Vintage outdated tech including Commodore computer, Game Boy, cassette tapes, and retro game cartridges on a wooden table. I have all of my old gaming systems with games boxed up in my storage. Best part of it is my entire Disney Infinity collection. It is how I got my kids into gaming and I hope to play with grandkids one day.

    jimfish98 , Lorenzo Herrera Report

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    #17

    Person holding a red handheld gaming console, playing a classic video game, showing outdated tech still in use. My Nintendo 3DS that raised me better than my father (he is a piece of garbage).

    otakugal15:

    Still have my old DSLite and 2DS. I REFUSE to get rid of those because I still like to replay my old Pokémon games that are still not available on Switch.

    Comfortable-Gap-1626 , Daniel Benavides Report

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    #18

    Person wearing a beanie reading a book on a train, representing people refusing to stop using outdated things. Books. Yes I use digital ones, mainly for travels, but there is something about paper books that is awsome.

    Natharius , Nina Zeynep Güler Report

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    #19

    Man with a beard and beanie writing in a notebook outdoors, showing people refusing to stop using outdated things. Pencil/pen and paper.

    barredowl123:

    Yep! I still keep a paper calendar in a little book that goes everywhere with me.

    vanillablue_ , Aditya Saxena Report

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    #20

    Person holding a 2021 calendar featuring a family photo, illustrating outdated things people refuse to stop using. A real, wall hung calendar. Keeps our family life organisation all in one place for all ages to see. Plus you're forced to 'go home and check the calendar' when making appointments/getting invited places, which just gives a bit of much needed time to stop, think and assess how best to keep the balance of time commitments.

    pollifilla , EyeEm Report

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    #21

    Person marking dates in a paper planner, illustrating outdated things people refuse to stop using. Paper planners and notebooks. I love physically writing things down and it helps me remember things better.

    masochist- , Monika Grabkowska Report

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    #22

    Stacks of outdated CDs and music cases piled on a table, showing people refusing to stop using old media formats. CD player and DVD player. If the internet/wifi/cellular goes down, you can’t watch your streaming services. However, actual DVDs will work. Pop one in and press play! No internet required for those!

    ggfchl , Alfred Kenneally Report

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    #23

    Hands sharpening a pencil with a metal sharpener, showing one of the outdated things people refuse to stop using. Old school pencil sharpener. Nothing beats a freshly sharpened #2 pencil.

    Plastic-Ratio-199 , Benoît Deschasaux Report

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    #24

    Pouring waffle batter into a traditional waffle maker, showcasing outdated things people refuse to stop using. I still have my grandmother's waffle iron. The taste and shape of the waffles on it are incredible, no new waffle iron can make them. Quality and experience prevail.

    Tiny-Benefit6329 , Joanna Stołowicz Report

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    #25

    Compact disc in an open laptop drive, highlighting outdated things people refuse to stop using despite modern tech advances. My DVD player (well blue ray really).

    crazylittlemermaid:

    My friends made fun of me for holding onto my DVD player and collection of DVDs. Then I was without internet for a month after moving (thanks comcast) and they stopped laughing. The DVD player saved me from a month of absolute boredom and watching things on my tiny phone screen. I've mostly packed the DVDs away at this point, but I refuse to actually get rid of them.

    assembly_faulty , Getty Images Report

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    #26

    Classic iPod featuring a music menu screen, representing outdated things people refuse to stop using. My iPod Classic. Still works like a charm and has my entire music library from high school. Pure nostalgia in my pocket.

    sabrinacrivera , Andres Urena Report

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    #27

    Vintage Singer sewing machine on wooden base, representing outdated things people refuse to stop using. My treadle sewing machine. It's like 100 years old and will probably outlast me and my siblings' kids.

    When the power is out I can still sew.

    feverishdodo , Annie Spratt Report

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    #28

    Person adjusting a record player in a cozy room, symbolizing outdated things people refuse to stop using. My turntable, showing my age but still got lots of vinyl.

    TheNJGM:

    Right there with you. Still have a pair of my old Technics 1200mk2 with hundreds of vinyl. Never giving them up.

    Far_Section3715:

    If it makes you feel better, vinyl is back and big.

    Desperado_Dan_ , Andrej Lišakov Report

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    #29

    My classic fountain pen.

    Most_Art507:

    I always use a fountain pen when I'm writing " proper" letters, if I'm writing notes I use a pencil.

    Ps11889 Report

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    #30

    Box filled with outdated electrical cords and cables representing outdated things people refuse to stop using. Old cables. They come in handy so frequently!

    jim914:

    I’m the same way I have used so many old cables as donors when I need wire to fix a broken wire! The plug from an old charger is like having a bar of gold laying around its almost impossible to find stores that sell replacement plugs anymore and online ordering is a joke need to buy 50 just to get the one needed!

    lithiumcitizen Report

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    #31

    Black rotary dial phone in the garage. Still working faithfully even during power outages.

    bruiserscruiser Report

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