1987 Computer Chronicles Christmas Buyer's Guide
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Date: 2025-12-23
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Comments and reviews: 20
lazygamereviews
Christmas 1987. our computer was a TI professional computer running on an 8088; most people still had the microcomputer TRS-80/Commodore 64's. Only the well heeled had the 386, which had the reputation of being a home supercomputer. More than a little surprised seeing a scanner/trackball as I didn't see those until the early 90's.
I also remember 1987 as the worst point of my college career, my sophomore year. People tend to think of the 80's as this go-go time of money, and college was non-stop parties, but for many of use it was a bleak time. The girl I'd loved in high school had blown me off when my father had passed away to go party, but sometimes acted like she still had feelings for me. I tried looking her up over the Christmas break--even then I should have known better but was trying to find something when my life seemed to be falling apart. She blew me off again literally as she had to get her hair done, but I was determined enough I dropped by her house. I remember how beautiful she still was, but already on another life path, new boyfriend, 4. 0 GPA, it couldn't be better. She was just being nice and I got the message. Those moments still seem fresh in my mind, but I see videos like that Christmas episode and it's like ancient history from another reality.
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Christmas 1987. our computer was a TI professional computer running on an 8088; most people still had the microcomputer TRS-80/Commodore 64's. Only the well heeled had the 386, which had the reputation of being a home supercomputer. More than a little surprised seeing a scanner/trackball as I didn't see those until the early 90's.
I also remember 1987 as the worst point of my college career, my sophomore year. People tend to think of the 80's as this go-go time of money, and college was non-stop parties, but for many of use it was a bleak time. The girl I'd loved in high school had blown me off when my father had passed away to go party, but sometimes acted like she still had feelings for me. I tried looking her up over the Christmas break--even then I should have known better but was trying to find something when my life seemed to be falling apart. She blew me off again literally as she had to get her hair done, but I was determined enough I dropped by her house. I remember how beautiful she still was, but already on another life path, new boyfriend, 4. 0 GPA, it couldn't be better. She was just being nice and I got the message. Those moments still seem fresh in my mind, but I see videos like that Christmas episode and it's like ancient history from another reality.
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nutherefurlong
yessssss, the CC ridealongs are the best: )
It's funny that Stew is pretending he bought the software ahead of time on some weird impulse buy or got review copies and then decided who gets what
Thought about it for a bit, my theory is that George Morrow saw how useful business and home utility software was and wanted to sing its praises whenever he could, and he saw toys and games and the simple novelty programs as a distraction, even though the reality was that games were sort of transformative in an artisitc sense, we have tons of games now that do stuff that film and books can't do. But compare a game that doesn't do anything to a productivity increaser, I'm guessing the latter seems more civilized, and maybe more in line with his business ventures
You ever talk to any of the people involved in Computer Chronicles Have you seen the Computer Chronicles Revisited articles by S. M. Oliva Maybe there are some clues to some of the mysteries you've bumped into in those articles. They also have George Morrow compilation video here on YT
I remember hearing about some new thing and it being prohibitively expensive, and I'd say oh that's neat, maybe that's the future but have no ability to follow up on it
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yessssss, the CC ridealongs are the best: )
It's funny that Stew is pretending he bought the software ahead of time on some weird impulse buy or got review copies and then decided who gets what
Thought about it for a bit, my theory is that George Morrow saw how useful business and home utility software was and wanted to sing its praises whenever he could, and he saw toys and games and the simple novelty programs as a distraction, even though the reality was that games were sort of transformative in an artisitc sense, we have tons of games now that do stuff that film and books can't do. But compare a game that doesn't do anything to a productivity increaser, I'm guessing the latter seems more civilized, and maybe more in line with his business ventures
You ever talk to any of the people involved in Computer Chronicles Have you seen the Computer Chronicles Revisited articles by S. M. Oliva Maybe there are some clues to some of the mysteries you've bumped into in those articles. They also have George Morrow compilation video here on YT
I remember hearing about some new thing and it being prohibitively expensive, and I'd say oh that's neat, maybe that's the future but have no ability to follow up on it
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Aeduo
Hah wow what a fall for Zenith, making insane, high-end laptops like that in 1987 but by the 90s they were pretty much just known for kinda cheap TVs that were likely just largely a bunch of parts thrown in a branded box.
Most of these are neat from an old stuff perspective, but a lot of these would be awfully boring gifts haha. I imagine a lot of people didn't even care for business gadgets that they didn't necessarily need or want because they would have to figure out how to work it in to what they're doing without being the one who even bought it based on their specific needs.
Mr. Gameshow looks scarier than grey leno good lord.
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Hah wow what a fall for Zenith, making insane, high-end laptops like that in 1987 but by the 90s they were pretty much just known for kinda cheap TVs that were likely just largely a bunch of parts thrown in a branded box.
Most of these are neat from an old stuff perspective, but a lot of these would be awfully boring gifts haha. I imagine a lot of people didn't even care for business gadgets that they didn't necessarily need or want because they would have to figure out how to work it in to what they're doing without being the one who even bought it based on their specific needs.
Mr. Gameshow looks scarier than grey leno good lord.
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davidrumming4734
Brilliant
I’ve seen the later computer chronicles-featuring the PowerPC v Windows PC
Really is amazing what they were trying todo in 1987. I had no idea some of those technologies dated back that far. I did know the prices were often high tho. with a few exceptions-how did they make the interactive doll for $100
I used a Mac II many years ago (68020, 16mhz, 4/40)
I remember a not so expensive gadget at work involving software & a ADB dongle that plugged into a Mac LC which sent images direct to fax machines. The software converted whatever was on the screen into a bitmap black & white graphic I think.
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Brilliant
I’ve seen the later computer chronicles-featuring the PowerPC v Windows PC
Really is amazing what they were trying todo in 1987. I had no idea some of those technologies dated back that far. I did know the prices were often high tho. with a few exceptions-how did they make the interactive doll for $100
I used a Mac II many years ago (68020, 16mhz, 4/40)
I remember a not so expensive gadget at work involving software & a ADB dongle that plugged into a Mac LC which sent images direct to fax machines. The software converted whatever was on the screen into a bitmap black & white graphic I think.
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dnakatomiuk
I seriously recommend you go find the Computer Chronicles Chanel and go back to the start just to see the tech then and what they cost. To then go through the years (of what shows are available) to where it's come today, ironically prices for what was the best at the time were huge. And now look at it on 2025
But I miss my local gaming store of the 2000s seeing the big PC box games and Creative labs hardware section and the world of Warcraft section lol
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I seriously recommend you go find the Computer Chronicles Chanel and go back to the start just to see the tech then and what they cost. To then go through the years (of what shows are available) to where it's come today, ironically prices for what was the best at the time were huge. And now look at it on 2025
But I miss my local gaming store of the 2000s seeing the big PC box games and Creative labs hardware section and the world of Warcraft section lol
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Shadowity
That intro with the ahh is so nostalgic to me. I remember long before I watched you regularly I saw a stray video of yours back probably about 15 years ago. When I actually discovered you a handful of years ago I did the Leonardo sit up and point meme HOLY SHIT THIS IS THE SAME GUY! I don't even remember what that ancient video was, I just remember specifically that part of the intro and that I enjoyed it, it was wild to have that memory unlocked
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That intro with the ahh is so nostalgic to me. I remember long before I watched you regularly I saw a stray video of yours back probably about 15 years ago. When I actually discovered you a handful of years ago I did the Leonardo sit up and point meme HOLY SHIT THIS IS THE SAME GUY! I don't even remember what that ancient video was, I just remember specifically that part of the intro and that I enjoyed it, it was wild to have that memory unlocked
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mrjsv4935
Interesting '87 Christmas special.
Didn't know Vector had concept cars already in the 70's, thought it was much later car company, maybe from the late 80's among other supercars like Cizeta, etc.
LGR car episode would be indeed cool to see: )
That talking doll seems pretty advanced for it's time by it's features, but it's not a product for me, even at the time, I was 13 in Christmas 1987: D
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Interesting '87 Christmas special.
Didn't know Vector had concept cars already in the 70's, thought it was much later car company, maybe from the late 80's among other supercars like Cizeta, etc.
LGR car episode would be indeed cool to see: )
That talking doll seems pretty advanced for it's time by it's features, but it's not a product for me, even at the time, I was 13 in Christmas 1987: D
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TheCourtesyFlush
21: 30
Wow! When I was really little in 1990, I had a similar book that came with a pen that would play reaction sounds as I touched the little pads. It's nothing as fancy as this doll though! My great grandmother got it to keep little me occupied before I took my first ever plane ride. (Back when they had these cool little phones in the seats) What a wild era for technology man!
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21: 30
Wow! When I was really little in 1990, I had a similar book that came with a pen that would play reaction sounds as I touched the little pads. It's nothing as fancy as this doll though! My great grandmother got it to keep little me occupied before I took my first ever plane ride. (Back when they had these cool little phones in the seats) What a wild era for technology man!
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Grave_Wax
I've also watched enough of these to pick up on the weird set direction kind of things like you said. My favorite is when they have multiple stations set up in a single segment and when Stewart moves to the next one, the previous person just kind of has to stand there awkwardly until the segment ends or they get a different camera shot where they can shimmy away.
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I've also watched enough of these to pick up on the weird set direction kind of things like you said. My favorite is when they have multiple stations set up in a single segment and when Stewart moves to the next one, the previous person just kind of has to stand there awkwardly until the segment ends or they get a different camera shot where they can shimmy away.
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sirnickity
Ahh. the Computer Chronicles holiday gift guides. Full of stuff that is too expensive for anyone to afford, or would be a terrible gift, or both! : -D . Except LapLink. LapLink's legit. But Wendy's always got some nightmare-fuel animatronic monstrosity. LOL (Which apparently she keeps in the chest freezer in the basement. hahah)
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Ahh. the Computer Chronicles holiday gift guides. Full of stuff that is too expensive for anyone to afford, or would be a terrible gift, or both! : -D . Except LapLink. LapLink's legit. But Wendy's always got some nightmare-fuel animatronic monstrosity. LOL (Which apparently she keeps in the chest freezer in the basement. hahah)
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NicoValentino16
We had Mr Game Show! God it’s been forever since I’ve seen footage of it. I was only 6/7 at the time we got it for Xmas. I remember you could input initials for each person playing and he’d repeat back Dig a hole and crawl in. J. R. Dude was hilarious to me but I can’t even remember what kind of trivia it was.
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We had Mr Game Show! God it’s been forever since I’ve seen footage of it. I was only 6/7 at the time we got it for Xmas. I remember you could input initials for each person playing and he’d repeat back Dig a hole and crawl in. J. R. Dude was hilarious to me but I can’t even remember what kind of trivia it was.
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Craigerry
18: 45 when you mentioned the special paper, i grew up near a paper mill that would make those special high gloss papers for both high quality printing and magazines. after everything started to go digital, business slowly died off. when they tried to pivot, they couldn't remain competitive and is now entirely closed down
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18: 45 when you mentioned the special paper, i grew up near a paper mill that would make those special high gloss papers for both high quality printing and magazines. after everything started to go digital, business slowly died off. when they tried to pivot, they couldn't remain competitive and is now entirely closed down
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jh-exlondon
17: 35 I owned that printer in 1994ish, bought with a Kodak badge in London as an end-of-line product for about $110 equiv. It was good -- 200dpi inkjet with full Windows printer driver support. You either plugged it in with a 9V barrel connector or, as they mentioned, you could put six D-cells inside the roller: )
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17: 35 I owned that printer in 1994ish, bought with a Kodak badge in London as an end-of-line product for about $110 equiv. It was good -- 200dpi inkjet with full Windows printer driver support. You either plugged it in with a 9V barrel connector or, as they mentioned, you could put six D-cells inside the roller: )
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tarekmohamed9370
Hi Clint I was wondering if you can make a video on a compaq Presario 5, 000 PC because I like really would love to see a video on this machine and I really hope to see you like as soon as possible I really am a fan of your content for like years now and your work got me inspired in a lot of other things
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Hi Clint I was wondering if you can make a video on a compaq Presario 5, 000 PC because I like really would love to see a video on this machine and I really hope to see you like as soon as possible I really am a fan of your content for like years now and your work got me inspired in a lot of other things
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naps1saps
I have a Data General One laptop that has a ship date of 1987. I inherited it from my grandma with the box. It has a travel suitcase with an HP inkjet printer inside next to it. Never seen anything like it when it comes to lunchbox laptops in it's natural habitat. Definitely a gem to keep from a bygone era.
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I have a Data General One laptop that has a ship date of 1987. I inherited it from my grandma with the box. It has a travel suitcase with an HP inkjet printer inside next to it. Never seen anything like it when it comes to lunchbox laptops in it's natural habitat. Definitely a gem to keep from a bygone era.
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clairmeekers9068
I'm so glad you're doing the Computer Chronicles series! It's fascinating and a load of nostalgia for me. I tried to just watch them by myself, but I enjoy it a lot more with you watching these, interspersing with facts and looking things up.
A very merry vacation to you and an amazing new year!
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I'm so glad you're doing the Computer Chronicles series! It's fascinating and a load of nostalgia for me. I tried to just watch them by myself, but I enjoy it a lot more with you watching these, interspersing with facts and looking things up.
A very merry vacation to you and an amazing new year!
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Trit34Mtp
Christmas clones, the best time of the year!
That was a funny CC episode, with the GIGANTIC G. Morrow’s laptop and some other typically 1980’s things (that we miss so much, nowadays!
By the way, happy (lightly belated) birthday, merry Christmas and (once more) a happy new year, Clint!
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Christmas clones, the best time of the year!
That was a funny CC episode, with the GIGANTIC G. Morrow’s laptop and some other typically 1980’s things (that we miss so much, nowadays!
By the way, happy (lightly belated) birthday, merry Christmas and (once more) a happy new year, Clint!
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stevethepocket
The voiceover in that Julie commercial sounds like Jim Cummings doing what might be the first ever appearance of his Sterling Holloway impression (predating _The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh_ by at least a few weeks if it was already out by the time this episode aired.
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The voiceover in that Julie commercial sounds like Jim Cummings doing what might be the first ever appearance of his Sterling Holloway impression (predating _The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh_ by at least a few weeks if it was already out by the time this episode aired.
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cassandraleone6719
I found a little desk robot pal at a Goodwill for 10 dollars. They go for upwards of 300 brand new. He was a little older version, but works perfectly well. That doll was the first step to something like mine. It also knows when it's being moved or spoken to. Wild!
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I found a little desk robot pal at a Goodwill for 10 dollars. They go for upwards of 300 brand new. He was a little older version, but works perfectly well. That doll was the first step to something like mine. It also knows when it's being moved or spoken to. Wild!
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Markimark151
Love these computer chronicles videos. Also that mall is probably Vallco in Cupertino, CA or Tanforan in San Bruno, which I used to go with my cousins when I used to live in SF Bay Area. There used to be computer software stores in those malls I used to go to!
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Love these computer chronicles videos. Also that mall is probably Vallco in Cupertino, CA or Tanforan in San Bruno, which I used to go with my cousins when I used to live in SF Bay Area. There used to be computer software stores in those malls I used to go to!
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