We're used to upgrading our tech every few years – a new iPhone, a faster processor, a graphics card that can handle the latest games. Old hardware often gets resold or tossed. But many outdated devices are still working, and surprisingly, still indispensable.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- Outdated Systems Managing Nuclear Arsenals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, by comparison, manages 100 million hashes per second. Mining a single Bitcoin on the C64 would take roughly a billion years. Similarly, a YouTuber, stacksmashing, mined Bitcoin using a 1989 Nintendo Game Boy, connected to the internet via a Raspberry Pi Pico. 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? 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 30 years. It even survived a flood! This 1 MHz, 64 KB computer flawlessly handles drive shaft calculations, running custom software created by the business owner. Proof that sometimes, older tech 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 outperforms modern systems plagued by software updates. The only update needed? New keyboard labels for the baked goods.
Outdated Systems Managing Nuclear Arsenals
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The United States manages its nuclear arsenal using a 1976 IBM computer that uses 8-inch floppy disks (around 80 KB of data – less than the average instant message!). While modernization is planned, its reliability keeps it in service. Similarly, Germany’s naval fleet uses 8-inch floppy disks on its Brandenburg-class frigates. Built in the 1990s, these ships rely on this outdated technology. Upgrades are underway (floppy disk emulators are being installed), but nostalgia seems to keep the original system alive.
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 relying on such outdated software raises some eyebrows. Similarly, Britain’s Vanguard-class submarines (Victorious, Vigilant, and Vengeance) 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 (1992!) crashed. The DECOR software (providing pilots with weather data) failed, suspending flights. Some joked the computer simply wanted to upgrade to Windows 95.
Classic Hardware Used for Cutting-Edge Research
Retro computers like the Commodore 64 have found new life in educational settings, teaching programming basics and simulating simple physics experiments. Their simplicity makes them ideal for understanding fundamental computing principles.
Nostalgia Keeps Old Systems Alive
Many organizations maintain legacy systems due to habit or nostalgia. Maintaining compatibility with existing workflows or avoiding costly upgrades keeps these familiar tools in use.
These examples show how outdated technology continues to serve critical roles across many industries. From gaming consoles mining cryptocurrency to older computers guiding global defense systems, legacy tech is surprisingly resilient. While upgrades will eventually replace them, these devices remind us of the enduring value of simplicity and reliability.
