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Article created by: Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Name a better time capsule than ads for technology. Go on, I'll wait.

Looking back at a gadget from decades ago really shows how far humanity has come. A landline answering machine, a 10-megabyte hard drive... It's crazy to think that at one point, now-obsolete technology was not only top-of-the-line but also a bargain. Now, paying a couple of months worth of salary for memory that fits no more than a few songs makes little sense when you consider that 4 terabytes of external storage cost less than $100.

These vintage ads no longer serve any other purpose than to point out the major shifts in technology and how much better things are now. But then again, that's quite something.

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#1

Tandy Ct-300 Cellular Phone: $1,499.00 [$3,116.43 Today]

Vintage handheld cellular phone ad showing old technology and high prices from past technology ads.

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    #2

    Imsai PC With 10mb Hard Disk, 64k Ram: $5,995.00 [$18,700 Today]

    Vintage 10-megabyte computer system ad highlighting outdated technology and high cost, showcasing retro tech from the past.

    MSAI Report

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    #3

    Panasonic Rx 5500 Stereo: $576.19 [$2,046 Today]

    Vintage Panasonic RX 5500 stereo cassette player ad showcasing retro technology and advanced portable features at sunset.

    panasonic Report

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    #4

    The 1978 Ibm 5110: $18,000

    Man in a suit presenting IBM 5110 Computing System vintage tech with printer and storage, showcasing expensive old technology.

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    #5

    Sears 8-Digit Electronic Calculator: $98.95

    Vintage large electronic calculator ad with bulky design and overpriced tech, illustrating expensive past technology ads.

    sears Report

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    #6

    Xcomp 10mb Hard Disk: $3,398.00

    Vintage hard disk ad showing a 10MB drive priced at $3398 highlighting old technology costs and features.

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    #7

    Spartan Apple II+ Emulator: $599.00

    Vintage technology ad showing a Commodore 64 computer with accessories and a smiling mime character.

    Mimic Systems Inc Report

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    #8

    Betavision Video Cassette Recorder: $985.00

    Vintage Betavision video cassette recorder ad showcasing early technology that looks insanely expensive now.

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    #9

    Corvus Systems Inc. Mass Storage: $5,350.00

    Vintage computer ad showing data storage technology and disk system features, highlighting expensive past tech innovations.

    Corvus Systems Inc Report

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    #10

    Intecolor 3621 With 51k Disk Drive: $3,300.00

    Vintage color computer ad showcasing early technology with a retro design and pixelated color graphics on screen.

    ISC Report

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    #11

    Sinclair Zx80 With 4k Basic: $199.95

    Vintage Sinclair ZX80 ad showcasing early personal computer technology under $200 with detailed features and ordering info.

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    #12

    Phone-Mate Answering Machine: $129.50

    Woman using a vintage phone mate automatic telephone answering machine in a living room, showcasing old technology ads.

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    #13

    Emerson Radio Corporation Television Set - 1949: $599.50

    Vintage 1949 projection television ad highlighting expensive technology and retro tech design and pricing.

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    #14

    Jvc Hr-7300 Vidstar Vhs: $1,280.00

    Vintage JVC Vidstar VHS recorder ad showing technology that looks insanely expensive compared to today’s devices.

    JVC Report

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    #15

    Sears Color TV: $327.88

    Vintage ad for an 18-inch portable color TV showcasing old technology that looks insanely expensive now.

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    #16

    Motorola Stereo Hi-Fi Coffee Table: $169.95

    Vintage Motorola stereo hi-fi and FM/AM radio coffee table, a classic example of expensive technology from the past.

    motorola Report

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    #17

    Trs-80 Computer Sold In 1977: $3,450

    Vintage technology ad showing a boy with a TRS-80 computer promoting early expensive tech from the past.

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    #18

    Mid-80's Seagate St4096 Memory Hard Disk: $12,000

    Vintage technology ad showing disk systems offering 80MB for $12K and 300MB for $20K, highlighting old expensive tech prices.

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    #19

    10 Megabyte Hard Drive: $3,500

    Vintage advertisement for a 10 megabyte hard disk priced at $3,495 showcasing old technology that looks insanely expensive now.

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    #20

    Sinclair Microvision TV: $395.00

    Man holding a Sinclair Microvision pocket TV from a vintage technology ad showcasing expensive old tech.

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    #21

    Cellphone From UK: $895

    Vintage British Telecom cellphone ad showing early portable technology with prices and backup service details.

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    #22

    Ampex Fr200 Tape Transport: $2,675.00

    Vintage technology ad showing a man operating a large magnetic tape transport machine from the past.

    AMPEX Report

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    #23

    Bell & Howell 8mm Camera: $207.70

    Vintage ad showing a man holding an old Bell & Howell Zoomatic camera with film projector and photos.

    Bell & Howell Report

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    #24

    Osborne Computer: $1795

    Vintage technology ad for a $1795 personal business computer highlighting early computing innovation and expenses.

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    #25

    1977 The Apple Ll: $1195

    Vintage Apple II Plus technology ad showcasing features and prices, highlighting old expensive computer technology.

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    #26

    1984 PC Computer Unit: $5,000

    1984 vintage computer ad showing technology priced at $4999 with detailed specs, highlighting expensive past technology.

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    #27

    The Commodore 64: $600

    Vintage tech ad comparing personal computers with a focus on the Commodore 64's affordability and features.

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    #28

    The Trs-80 Model 4 (1983): $1,300

    Vintage 2-disk TRS-80 Model 4 computer with dual floppy drives and monochrome screen in classic retro ad design.

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    #29

    Westinghouse 'Big Picture Television': $269 (Today Would Be Around $2,700)

    Vintage Westinghouse television ad showcasing an 18½-inch picture image with a sensational electronic magnifier feature.

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    #30

    Atari 400 PC: $549.00

    Vintage Atari 400 personal computer ad showcasing early technology and accessories, highlighting its once expensive pricing.

    Atari Report

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    #31

    Realistic Trc-471 Transceiver: $259.95

    Vintage technology ad for a 40-channel CB radio showcasing retro features and old-school tech appeal.

    RadioShack Report

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    #32

    15mb Hdd: $2,500

    Vintage 15-megabyte hard disk drive technology ad displaying high prices and installation kit details.

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    #33

    The Trs-80 Micro: $3,875

    Vintage Radio Shack personal computer ad showcasing 1980s tech systems with prices that look insanely expensive now.

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    #34

    1976 Apple 1: $666.66

    Vintage Apple-1 computer ad showcasing early technology features and pricing from the past, highlighting expensive tech.

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    #35

    Sears Video Arcade: $178.95

    Vintage video arcade console ad showcasing early technology that now looks insanely expensive and outdated.

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    #36

    10 Megabyte Hard Disk System: $3,695

    Vintage ad showcasing Morrow Designs hard disk systems with high cost and low megabyte capacity technology.

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    #37

    Low-Cost Hard Disk Computer: $10k

    Vintage advertisement for Cromemco Z-2H hard disk computer highlighting expandability and software support.

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    #38

    2 Cents A Byte! Sink Your Teeth Into A Helping Of Ram Without Burning A Hole In Your Wallet. From 16-32k Ram Memory: Starting From $299

    Vintage technology ad featuring static memory chips priced at 2 cents a byte, highlighting expensive past tech memory costs.

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    #39

    The Apf Imagination Machine A Video Game Console: $599

    Retro tech ad showcasing the Imagination Machine computer with color, sound, and dual joysticks, a vintage technology collectible.

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    #40

    A Basic Cassette Tape Recorder From Philips: $166

    Vintage black and white ad for Philips cassette tape recorder and retro tech gadgets, highlighting expensive technology from the past.

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