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9 Reasons PCs In The 1990s Were Actually Brilliant

Computers In The 1990s Were Actually Brilliant
Michael Rundle
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We tend to assume nowadays that computing in the 1990s was a universally godawful experience. And in the main, that's absolutely 100% correct. Printers didn't work. Screens popped and exploded. Files came in 1.4mb chunks stored on large pieces of plastic, and yet somehow they used about twice as much electricity as machines do today.

The whole thing was a disaster. And yet, PCs in the 1990s built the internet. They invented deathmatch. They powered the first mass-market digital cameras, chat programs and email. And they ran 'Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?'

We've had a root around our video and picture archives, and found 9 unusual reasons why we think nostalgia for 1990s PCs is more valid than you might assume. Especially if you're still suffering post-traumatic memories of old school visits to PC World...

9 Reasons PCs In The 90s Were Actually Brilliant
Computer Viruses Looked Like Computer Viruses Should(01 of04)
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"Media Markt" was one of the first widely adopted viruses, capable of deleting your entire hard drive.. in 1995.
They Already Ran 'Oculus Rift'(02 of04)
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Okay, it wasn't quite as good. But this picture from the offices of VPL Research in Redwood City, in December 1990 shows how "a rapidly developing computer technology that generates three-dimensional color images" was already a think 25 years ago.
This Was The State of The Smart TV Art(03 of04)
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This device - by Thomson - was able to "surf" through on-air, cable, digital satellite, tape and disc programs, as well as connect to the World Wide Web. In 1997 the PC was a smart TV, before the smart TV.
They Had Instagram(04 of04)
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Kinda. This is actually "Pressnet", Nikon's electronic picture receiving system unveiled in Tokyo, July 15, 1991. The system, including a CPU, memory unit, mouse-operated colour display and CP-3000, a full colour printer, right, could receive up to 30 color pictures in uncompressed digital format, and then show them to you. Amazing!
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