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Retro tech is finding fresh attention, but nostalgia alone does not make an old device useful today. In Chris Smith’s August 21, 2026, opinion piece for Stuff, he names three things he would bring back—typewriters, VHS and DVD players, and proper slide-up phones—and three he would leave in the past: printers, Adobe Flash Video, and rollerball mice. The appeal is often as much about a satisfying physical ritual or fewer distractions as it is about what the device can do.
What retro tech is making a comeback?
Recent coverage has highlighted a range of retro-inspired interests, from cassette players and boomboxes to instant cameras, older digital cameras, basic phones, handheld consoles, wired headphones, and physical music formats. These are reported examples, not a measured account of how many people are adopting retro tech. TechCrunch and Euronews describe the appeal as a mix of older interactions and modern features.
Smith’s list makes that tension concrete: some older devices offer a distinctive way to work or enjoy media, while others bring maintenance and inconvenience that he would rather avoid.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhich old gadgets does Chris Smith want to bring back?
Typewriters: a more deliberate way to write
Smith’s case for typewriters is sensory and personal: “There’s something so marvellously satisfying about the imprecise clattering of keys and the deliberate act of sitting down to write.” Stuff describes Freewrite devices as bringing a typewriter-like experience into the present with a small display and connectivity for saving and safeguarding documents. TechCrunch has also covered Freewrite as a typewriter-inspired writing device. Neither account establishes that Smith tested or bought one.
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The useful question for a writer is whether the ritual helps them focus enough to justify using a dedicated device instead of a general-purpose computer. A small screen and a narrower set of distractions may appeal to someone who wants to draft, while connectivity can help protect or move work. Product details and availability can change, so check current specifications and support before buying.
VHS and DVD players: keeping owned media playable
Smith wants physical collections to remain usable even as digital libraries and access can change. He writes, “I’d love to see an all-in-one physical media player that ensures physical media collections are not only supported but encouraged moving into the new generations.” That is a request for a product, not a recommendation of a currently verified device: the cited coverage does not establish an all-in-one player that meets the need.
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For anyone considering older media hardware, compatibility matters more than retro styling. Check which formats a player supports, whether it works with the relevant regional video standard, the condition of used equipment, and whether compatible discs or tapes and repair options are available. Owning a physical copy can reduce dependence on a streaming catalogue or service licence, but it does not remove the practical limits of aging hardware and media.
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Proper slide-up phones: fewer distractions without losing essentials
Smith wants something between a full smartphone and a very limited phone: less temptation from a large cover screen, but enough everyday utility to stay useful. His article points to the Flip Light and describes messaging, maps, one camera, GPS, Bluetooth, a headphone jack, a physical keyboard, and a small screen. Those are claims in the article, not independently verified current specifications; confirm what the device actually supports and whether it is available before treating it as a purchase option.
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The broader design trade-off is clear. A smaller display and physical keys can make interaction feel more intentional, while maps, messaging, and connectivity preserve some smartphone functions. Buyers should decide which apps and services they genuinely need and verify network, software, and support compatibility for their location.
What does Smith think should stay in the past?
Printers: jams, upkeep, and ink expense
Smith’s objection to printers is the familiar hassle of paper jams, maintenance, and ink costs. Those are his judgments, not a comparative measurement of printer failure rates or the cost of owning different models. Whether a printer makes sense depends on how often someone prints, what supplies their model needs, and how much they value having paper copies at home.
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Adobe Flash Video: a technology he does not miss
Smith looks back on Adobe Flash Video as resource-intensive and visually poor, and welcomes the move toward HTML5. This is his retrospective assessment, not a benchmark comparison in the article. Its point is that nostalgia for older technology is selective: not every past format or experience is worth restoring.
Rollerball mice: cleaning is part of the deal
Smith dislikes the upkeep and cleaning associated with rollerball mice. His article does not provide an objective reliability comparison, so this is a matter of personal tolerance for maintenance rather than proof that every such mouse performs poorly.
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How to judge whether retro tech is useful now
Before buying an older device or a modern product inspired by one, weigh the practical value against the appeal of the experience. A few checks can prevent nostalgia from becoming an expensive inconvenience:
- Function versus nostalgia: Identify the present-day task it must do reliably, then decide whether the older interaction adds enough value.
- Connectivity and distraction: Check which apps, networks, or services the device can access—and what limits are built in.
- Media compatibility and ownership: Confirm supported formats and distinguish physical media you own from access that depends on a service or licence.
- Support and consumables: Look into parts, compatible media, batteries, film, repairs, or other ongoing requirements.
- Total cost and convenience: Include supplies, services, setup effort, and maintenance rather than relying on old or time-sensitive product prices.
Retro-inspired design can make a device feel more tactile or focused, but the strongest case for bringing one back is that it still solves a real problem on terms the owner finds worthwhile.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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