The relentless march of technology sees us upgrading our gadgets every few years – iPhones, processors, graphics cards – with older hardware often resold or discarded. However, many seemingly obsolete devices remain surprisingly functional and even essential. Here are eight compelling examples of vintage tech's enduring relevance:

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• Outdated Systems Managing Nuclear Arsenals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 Carriers
• 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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A testament to ingenuity, a Commodore 64 (1982) was shown to mine Bitcoin, albeit at a glacial 0.3 hashes per second. This pales in comparison to a modern RTX 3080 GPU's 100 million hashes per second. Mining a single Bitcoin on the C64 would take approximately a billion years. Similarly, a YouTuber used a Nintendo Game Boy (1989) to mine, achieving 0.8 hashes per second – still incredibly slow compared to modern ASIC miners.

A Reliable Mechanic's Assistant Since the '80s

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In Gdansk, Poland, a Commodore 64C has aided mechanics for over three decades, even surviving a flood. Its simple calculations for drive shafts highlight the longevity and reliability of older technology, effortlessly running custom software on its 1 MHz CPU and 64 KB of RAM.

Vintage Tech as a Bakery POS System

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An Indiana bakery has used a Commodore 64 as a point-of-sale (POS) system since the 1980s. Affectionately dubbed the "breadbox," it functions as a reliable cash register, proving more dependable than modern systems prone to software update issues.

Outdated Systems Managing Nuclear Arsenals

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The US manages part of its nuclear arsenal using an IBM computer from 1976, relying on 8-inch floppy disks. While modernization is planned, the system's reliability ensures its continued use. Similarly, German Brandenburg-class frigates utilize 8-inch floppy disks, with upgrades involving emulators rather than complete replacements.

Windows XP Powers Multi-Billion Dollar Aircraft Carriers

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The HMS Queen Elizabeth, a multi-billion dollar aircraft carrier, runs on Windows XP (support ended 2014). While the Royal Navy assures security measures are in place, the reliance on outdated software is noteworthy. Similarly, British Vanguard-class submarines use Windows XP for missile management, remaining offline for security until planned upgrades in 2028.

Critical Airport Infrastructure Fails Due to Legacy Software

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In 2015, Paris Orly Airport experienced a system failure due to a crash of a Windows 3.1 (1992) computer running DECOR weather software, causing flight suspensions.

Classic Hardware Used for Cutting-Edge Research

Retro computers, like the Commodore 64, find use in educational settings and simple research simulations, their simplicity aiding in understanding fundamental computing concepts.

Nostalgia Keeps Old Systems Alive

Many organizations maintain legacy systems due to familiarity, established workflows, or the cost of upgrades.

These examples demonstrate the surprising resilience and continued utility of outdated technology across various sectors. While modernization is inevitable, these instances highlight the enduring value of simplicity and reliability.