How to Keep Your ‘Vintage’ Tech Alive
It may be old, but it’s not dead yet
By Dan Seitz
The march of technology turns every gadget into an antique, but some withstand the test of time — or can at least be upcycled for a while. Older game consoles, iPods, and other “vintage” tech can often still play music, run games, and perform other tasks. They’re also usually less costly, so if you’re looking for a deal, something a bit dated might be the way to go.
Why vintage tech?
Despite the non-stop production of newer and neater stuff, older tech has its advantages.
Americans crank out around 44 pounds of electronic waste per person each year, much of which is hazardous. So, by maintaining or reusing your devices for as long as possible, you’re helping the planet.
Older tech is often perfectly capable of doing basic tasks like word processing, or can easily be reused asan alarm clock, a speaker, or for some other task you don’t want to buy a new widget for.
You can even keep old tech around to experiment on. If you want to root your fancy new Android and give yourself complete control over what stays and goes on your phone, for example, it’s a good idea to try it on an old phone first. That way, you can work out the kinks without bricking…
