Retro Computing
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End of an E-Era: AOL to End Dial-Up Internet Access
The pioneering service has dwindled to a Yahoo sub-brand, but some people still rely on it for their online connection. Come Sept. 30, they'll need a new ISP.
Ready to Try the Switch 2 Mouse Experience? It's Now Available on This 33-Year-Old Super NES Classic
Mario Paint from the Super NES joins the Nintendo Switch Online library, and it’ll even work on the original Switch if you have a compatible mouse.
Maingear Amps Up the 90s Nostalgia With New Retro95 Desktop PC
This custom desktop PC even includes the option for a disc drive, just like the good old days.
9 Retro Ports of Classic Sega Titles Now Free on Mobile, If You Act Fast
Sonic, Crazy Taxi, Streets of Rage, and more are now available on iPhone and Android for free. They previously cost around $2 each, plus a little extra to remove ads.
This Little Museum Outside DC Offers a Deep Dive Into Retro Radio and TV Tech
Before you streamed everything, there was this: The National Capital Radio & Television Museum spotlights how airwaves have changed our lifestyles, from a 1921 DIY crystal radio kit made out of a Quaker box to a 1984 Sony Walkman.
Mac-Friendly Retro Gaming: How I Revisit Classic Games on My MacBook
Apple computers are capable gaming machines, but with OpenEmu, they're also killer vintage console emulators. Here's how to get started.
A Surface History: Microsoft’s Ever-Evolving Vision for the Future of Computing
With its wide-ranging family of hardware, Microsoft has reimagined how we compute—again and again. As the company turns 50, let's revisit the twists and turns of its transformative Surface line.
9 Microsoft Missteps You May Have Forgotten
In 50 years, Microsoft has hit plenty of home runs, but these nine products were not among them. (Hey again, Bob!)
I Chatted With Bill Gates About How He Became the Ultimate Computer Nerd
In his new book, Source Code, Gates recalls a unique childhood that led him to build a technology empire. We talk BASIC, old PCs, Microsoft's future, and AI's promise and perils.
Remember These 10 Breakthrough Microsoft Products?
Pocket computers. Sort-of smartwatches. Motion-sensing game controllers. None of these big ideas are as memorable as Windows or Office, but we think they're standouts in Microsoft's 50-year history. Take a look back through old PC Magazine issues with us.
So BASIC: Bill Gates Releases Microsoft's Original Source Code
In the 1970s, Gates and his Microsoft co-founder, Paul Allen, used a computer in Harvard's lab to compose what he calls the 'coolest code I've written.' It's now public for the first time.
Remember the Razr? A Fun Look Back at Motorola's Most Iconic Retro Phones
The Razr was once the hottest phone on the market, and you bet I had one. Twenty years later, I revisit the famed flip phone and other iconic handsets at Motorola's headquarters in Chicago.
The Best Retro Handhelds for 2025
Feeling nostalgic? These top portable game systems let you play classic games in the palm of your hand.
The Best Retro Gaming Consoles for 2025
If you want to play classic video games, but don't want to deal with low-resolution graphics and awkward analog video connections, check out these cool modern systems that let you play old titles.
GOG.com Preservation Program Aims to Keep Old PC Games Playable
The program, announced as GOG.com celebrates its 16th anniversary, is launching for 100 games, including favorites such as System Shock 2, the original Diablo game, and Myst.Â
Analogue's Reimagining of the Nintendo 64 Ships in 2025
Analogue initially tipped a 2024 launch, but it's now set to go on sale in Q1 2025. The device will let you play all N64 games released in the US, EU, and Japan without the need for emulation.
Why I Bought an HP TouchPad and a Dell Pocket PC in 2024
Nostalgia inspired me to go on an eBay shopping spree for early 2000s gadgets. I wanted to show my kids the tech I once loved, but I also unlocked a few forgotten memories.
25 Years Ago Gran Turismo Redefined the Racing Game
Take a look in the rearview at how Sony's flagship automotive franchise changed the way we drive digital cars forever.
The 20 Most Influential PCs of the Past 40 Years
As PCMag celebrates its 40th anniversary, we take a look back at the computers that had the greatest impact on us and the industry, from a 16K beige box to a cutting-edge convertible that redefined mobile computing.
Three Cheers for the Humble Transistor
Three-quarters of a century ago, a Bell Labs team created the most important technological innovation of the last 100 years.
