[ENG] Why I Love Retro Tech (at 21)
Introduction
Anyone who knows me can confirm this: I’m a bit strange for the sheer number of retro devices that surround me.
For the past three years, I’ve spent money (not much, honestly) collecting old electronic devices that somehow made me feel fulfilled. But all of this has a meaning — let me explain.
I’ve always been fascinated by nerd and tech culture. Over time, I’ve stumbled into various niches, meeting people online who completely changed my perspective and helped me manage this passion better.
I’ve always been drawn to “old but not antique” things — that early 2000s vibe, the so-called flat design. And as someone who loves electronics, I eventually found a way to blend both worlds.
This is my take on retro tech and how it’s become part of my everyday life.
How It Started
It all began when I was a curious teenager. With my brothers’ permission, I picked up a Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP for the first time.
Growing up with three older brothers (born between 1991 and 1997), I got to dream about their devices — the PlayStation 2, the Nintendo DS — even if I couldn’t always play them. I still remember sneaking into their drawers just to turn one on for a few seconds, just to feel it.
I think that’s where the obsession began: desire.
I wanted those devices so badly that, once I could finally buy them myself, I never really stopped. But there’s more to it.
As I grew older, I started giving these devices a sense of purpose. I discovered digital minimalism and minimalism in general, which helped me use them more intentionally.
When I found James Scholz, I realized I wasn’t the only one — there were other “weirdos” using old devices in modern life.
Thanks to his recommendations, I read a few key books that changed my mindset:
- Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Getting Things Done by David Allen
Those books taught me both practical and mental frameworks for living with more focus and intention.
That’s when I bought my first ThinkPad, an X40 with 2 GB of RAM.
That little laptop opened up a new world to me — it showed me that you don’t need a high-end machine to get things done; you just need the will to do them.
I started keeping a daily journal on it using Emacs and the Org-mode plugin. That habit lasted about six months, until I upgraded to a ThinkPad X220 — a truly magnificent device that taught me a lot about computing, Linux terminals, and the web. I’m still grateful for that machine.
From there, I kept buying devices, but each one had a clear purpose.
For example, I bought an old iPod Nano for €20 to load my playlists — that’s when I fell in love with IEM headphones.
Each device opened a new door: new communities, new ways of doing things.
How I Use Them Today
Today, my retro devices are an essential part of my life. They keep me grounded.
I don’t carry them all the time — my EDC (everyday carry) is mostly modern — but whenever I’m home, I use them constantly.
I like to think of it in three categories:
Gaming
For gaming, I mainly use a modded Nintendo 3DS and a modded PSP 3000.
The Nintendo is for quiet, relaxing games — the kind you return to once a week to check in.
The PSP, on the other hand, is for something heavier: Need for Speed, God of War, Dante’s Inferno, and similar titles. The feeling they give me is unreal.
Productivity
For focused work, I use my ThinkPads as “distraction-free computers.”
I only use them for certain tasks, during specific times of the year.
2026 will probably be the year I use them the most — I plan to dedicate entire periods to writing for the blog and YouTube.
My setup includes an Apple Cinema Display 23″ — the colors, build quality, and design are just timeless.
Music
Music is where my iPod still shines.
I use it during my deepest focus sessions, far from my phone. It holds playlists specifically for studying and writing.
And every time someone sees it in 2025, they ask: “Wait… you still use an iPod?” — and I love that.
Would I Recommend It?
Honestly, this lifestyle isn’t for everyone.
If you’re not into those vibes — the aesthetics, the productivity, the minimalism — it might just complicate your life.
But if you’re curious and want to try, do it.
Pick up any retro device and live with it for a week, or even a month. I’m sure you’ll end up loving it.
These devices almost eliminate the chance of distraction.
How many times have you opened your iPad “to study” and ended up watching a movie or scrolling through TikTok?
That doesn’t happen with old devices — they do one thing, and they do it perfectly.
Even if you use them for just an hour, that hour will be pure focus.
If you want to start, I recommend looking on eBay, Subito.it, Facebook Marketplace, local thrift stores, or vintage tech shops in your city.
Conclusions
I feel genuinely lucky — and happy — to still use these devices today.
In a world where nothing truly belongs to us and everything moves too fast, there’s nothing better than slowing down and enjoying a quiet moment.
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Thanks for reading.