Omega-TI Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Remember this computer? I always thought the TI-99/4A looked a bit more classy than those other monochrome, cheap looking plastic, computers. It appears that the TI-99/4A is back in style! I was just looking at the selection of laptop computers for 2014 and what did I see? Lot's of SILVER & BLACK! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Apple's MacBook Pro's have retained that silver styling for years. Glad more and more audio gear is coming around again too. Finally! Can't stand the look of black consumer electronics at all. Always thought they looked cheap and cheesy. And before people say they have no choice, all my audio gear (and computers come to think of it) with the exception of a really nice Nakamichi preamp, is either silver or champagne. Oh and the TI never went "out" of style as far as I'm concerned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApolloBoy Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 You just noticed this? I've seen laptops with a silver and black color scheme for years now, nothing to be excited about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 ^ this the TI wasnt alone in the color scheme back in the day either Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I remember in the '90s when every computer was white. And I remember seeing a black (probably more like really really dark purple or blue) Dell system ~1997 and thinking it looked sweet.I like black systems just fine. White also looks cool...at least at first, before it gets used and dirty and yellowed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_ Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 I have that exact style Toshiba Satellite model pictured above and it never once made me think of the TI! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMaddog Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 (edited) Heh, anyone remember when Commodore USA tried to do retro looking PC's? Edited September 1, 2014 by MrMaddog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra Commander Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Thank god biscuit has gone out of style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted September 1, 2014 Share Posted September 1, 2014 Heh, anyone remember when Commodore USA tried to do retro looking PC's? Sort of. I read about them a while back around the time they were supposed to launch, but I've never seen one or heard of anybody who has one. Did these ever get released? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaybird3rd Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 I'm not sure that I've ever seen even a real photograph of one of those new C64-style machines. All the pictures I remember seeing appeared to be 3D renders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 What I find interesting about a lot of these older computer like the C64 or the 99/4A, they came with a "better feeling" keyboard than what you'll get on a modern laptop costing hundreds more.. I hate "chicket" keyboards, so that forces you to buy a decent USB keyboard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoTonah Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Sort of. I read about them a while back around the time they were supposed to launch, but I've never seen one or heard of anybody who has one. Did these ever get released? They were shipping in small quantities, but then the president of the company died suddenly and the whole thing shut down (it was a very small operation, and he was pretty much the heart and soul of it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 You know, I'd probably buy a Retro-Look TI-99/4A if one was available. Of course it would have to be wider for a full-sized PC keyboard and I'm sure the cartridge are would have the touch plate and buttons or cursor control. I'd LOVE to see a photoshopped version of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
am1933 Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 You know, I'd probably buy a Retro-Look TI-99/4A if one was available. Of course it would have to be wider for a full-sized PC keyboard and I'm sure the cartridge are would have the touch plate and buttons or cursor control. I'd LOVE to see a photoshopped version of that! Something like this would allow the keyboard to remain mostly as standard so that a re-jigged machine could still look authentic. Sinclair released this in Spain first with the additional plug in numeric keypad, the keypad never got an official release in the UK as far as I am aware. But imagine a nice aluminium and black version with numerals and cursor keys that matched exactly the styling of the original 4a, due to the size reduction in modern circuitry and processors-you could probably stuff a few extra functions into the unit also . Well-we can but dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_L Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I'll take a backspace key over style anyday. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 I'll take a backspace key over style anyday. "FCTN-S" it's as easy as riding a bike. I was away from the TI for 23 years, when I came back, my fingers knew exactly where to go without thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_L Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 "FCTN-S" it's as easy as riding a bike. I was away from the TI for 23 years, when I came back, my fingers knew exactly where to go without thinking. I'm not saying it wasn't stylish looking, and I only had experience with a real physical unit once helping the kid of a friend of my parents. The unit was extremely small, and any computer keyboard is incomplete without a backspace key. Having to hit a meta key + another key for a function used as often as backspace was ridiculous, and I burned the shit out of my hand because I unknowingly touched the hot plate next to the keyboard. I don't mean to say it wasn't stylish looking, it was, but overall it was too small, the keyboard lacked keys, and you could burn yourself if you weren't aware of the coffee warmer. The computer did have a nice processor, but at the same time, it was poorly supported by TI. But, on the case of looks, it was stylish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.