Technology has come quite a long way in the last twenty years or so. Watching movies from the 80s is funny, because you see people using huge computers with floppy drives and running DOS or using a cell phone the size of a loaf of bread, all state of the art technology for the time. CD players were big and expensive and now, for the same price as you paid back then, you can get a player that houses 300 discs and is programmable a million different ways. 

PCMag has a top ten list of some of the best retro gadgets on the market today. While some of these items only look retro, they’re still fun - and functional!

Commodore 64: This computer was once the top of the line, with its 64KB of RAM and blazing 1.023-MHz speed. Alright, this doesn’t sound like much compared to today’s super high-speed machines, but for those of you who long for the good old days, the C64 can be yours for as little as $225 from RecycledGoods.com. That's a bargain, considering the original sold for over $600!. The C64 comes with the classic floppy disk drive, a cassette player, a keyboard and an assortment of software discs. 

The 45 iPod Case: Here’s a cool idea sure to catch some well-deserved attention. iPod has taken the covers from old 45 vinyl records and made them into covers for iPods. There are 40 different cases from different musical artists to choose from. The case is lined with felt padding and has a clear Plexiglas window to protect your iPod. This little accessory will cost you $45.

Predicta Danish Modern TV: What was life like without the remote control? Find out with this retro television. This TV looks almost alien in design, with its tall cabinet of wood and brass supporting a massive 24-inch screen. Yes, that’s right, 24 inches of viewing pleasure, all yours for only $2,399.

NES Advantage Belt Buckle: When we talk about hands-free operation, it’s doubtful anyone had this gadget in mind. In the late 80s, Nintendo had a game controller that featured slow motion and an adjustable turbo button. Now, that same controller has been cleverly transformed into a belt buckle. The buckle sells for $50, with an optional black leather belt for an additional $15. The question is, would Stacy and Clinton of "What Not to Wear" approve of this?

Radio Toaster: You love your toast, and you love your tunes. Why not get the best of both worlds with this retro toaster radio? If they really wanted to make it retro, they should have made it tune to AM stations instead of FM. Get your daily dose of toast and tunes for only $69.99.

Jello GummiLights: Gummi bears used to be popular, and many people still enjoy the tasty little fruit-flavored bears. Some might enjoy them so much as to want night-lights in the shape of the candy. GummiLights are made of soft rubber and house an LED light that will provide 20 hours of clarity powered by two lithium batteries. You can have one for $125, or a full set of red, orange, yellow, green, and white for only $600.

Micro-T: There is nothing micro about this replica of the Motorola International 3200 cell phone. This phone was a brick compared to the cell phones of today. While this phone might be identical to the 3200 on the surface, the inner workings are all modern-day technology. 

Oggz: You might ask, "What’s so retro about an egg that lights up?" Well, it’s not so much the shape of this product as it is the idea that is retro. Mood rings were very popular in the late 70s, and this product mimics that idea. For $39.99, you can have your very own mood gauge made of translucent silicone with glowing LEDs. 

S.Beat MP3 Digital Media Player: We all know the Swiss Army knife has a longstanding reputation for having a gadget for every survival situation. Well, Victorinox gave the old favorite a modern twist: They’ve added a 1GB flash drive and an MP3 player to the pocket knife. It can also store up to 15 FM radio presets. This retro gadget still includes all the standard Swiss Army Knife extras, and for only $215, you can be ready for anything.

ThinkGeek Bluetooth Retro Handset: Many kids today have never seen a clunky, black rotary dial telephone handset up close and personal and might only recognize them from movies or television. Bluetooth is offering a handset just like that to connect to your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. For only $39.99, you can enjoy the ease of Bluetooth and the comfort of an old-fashioned heavy handset. 

Taking a trip down memory lane is a lot of fun, so why not do it with updated technology? If you long for the good old days, these gadgets will give you a little piece of nostalgia to carry wherever you go.

Posted by Deb.

Deb is the graphic artist who created these very nice free printable gift tags.