We're used to upgrading our tech every few years – the latest iPhone, a struggling processor, or a graphics card that can't handle the newest games. Old hardware often gets resold or tossed. But many outdated devices are still working, and surprisingly indispensable. Here are eight examples of vintage tech that's still holding its own.
Table of Contents
- Retro Computers Mining Bitcoin
- A Reliable Mechanic's Assistant Since the '80s
- Vintage Tech as a Bakery POS System
- Outdated Systems Managing Nuclear Arsenals
- Windows XP Powers Multi-Billion Dollar Aircraft Carrier
- Critical Airport Infrastructure Fails Due to Legacy Software
- Classic Hardware Used for Cutting-Edge Research
- Nostalgia Keeps Old Systems Alive
Retro Computers Mining Bitcoin
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Believe it or not, a Commodore 64 (from 1982!) has been used to mine Bitcoin. The results? A paltry 0.3 hashes per second, thanks to its 8-bit, 1 MHz processor. An RTX 3080 GPU, for comparison, manages 100 million hashes per second. Mining a single Bitcoin on the C64? Expect to wait about a billion years.
Another YouTuber, stacksmashing, even tried mining with a 1989 Nintendo Game Boy. Connecting it to the internet via a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller, he ran a mining program. The Game Boy clocked in at 0.8 hashes per second – slightly faster than the C64, but still about 125 trillion times slower than modern ASIC miners. Mining one Bitcoin would take longer than the universe has existed.
A Reliable Mechanic's Assistant Since the '80s
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In Gdansk, Poland, a Commodore 64C has been helping mechanics for over three decades. It even survived a flood! This 1 MHz, 64 KB machine flawlessly handles drive shaft calculations, running custom software created by the business owner. Sometimes, older tech simply outlasts the new stuff.
Vintage Tech as a Bakery POS System
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An Indiana bakery has used a Commodore 64 as its point-of-sale (POS) system since the 1980s. Affectionately nicknamed the "breadbox," this online cash register is remarkably reliable. Unlike modern POS systems plagued by software updates, the C64 only needed updated keyboard labels for new baked goods.
Outdated Systems Managing Nuclear Arsenals
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The United States manages part of its nuclear arsenal using an IBM computer from 1976, relying on 8-inch floppy disks (around 80 KB of data – less than the average instant message!). While modernization is planned, the current system’s reliability keeps it in place.
Similarly, Germany's navy uses 8-inch floppy disks on its Brandenburg-class frigates. Built in the 1990s with cutting-edge weaponry, these ships rely on this outdated storage. Upgrades are underway, including floppy disk emulators, but nostalgia seems to play a role in keeping the original system around.
Windows XP Powers Multi-Billion Dollar Aircraft Carrier
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The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, costing billions, runs on Windows XP – support ended in 2014. The Royal Navy assures us security measures are in place, but this reliance on outdated software raises some eyebrows.
Britain's Vanguard-class submarines (Victorious, Vigilant, and Vengeance) also use Windows XP for intercontinental missile management. These systems are offline for security reasons, with updates not planned until 2028.
Critical Airport Infrastructure Fails Due to Legacy Software
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In 2015, Paris Orly Airport experienced an outage when a computer running Windows 3.1 (from 1992) crashed. The DECOR software, providing pilots with weather data, failed, leading to flight suspensions. Some joked the computer simply wanted a Windows 95 upgrade.
Classic Hardware Used for Cutting-Edge Research
While not explicitly mentioned in the original text, classic hardware finds use in scientific research. Retro computers like the Commodore 64 are used in education to teach programming basics or simulate simple physics experiments. Their simplicity makes them ideal for understanding fundamental computing principles.
Nostalgia Keeps Old Systems Alive
Beyond practical uses, many organizations keep legacy systems due to habit or nostalgia. Maintaining compatibility with existing workflows or avoiding costly upgrades highlights the enduring value of familiar tools.
These examples show how outdated technology continues to serve crucial functions. From gaming consoles mining cryptocurrency to old computers guiding global defense systems, legacy tech proves surprisingly resilient. While upgrades will eventually replace them, these devices remind us of the value of simplicity and reliability.
