When referring to technology, the term obsolete describes a computer, hardware, or software that is considered outdated, no longer useful, or no longer manufactured. For example, the 80286 (286) computer is considered obsolete technology.

Examples of obsolete computer hardware

Below are a few hardware examples that are considered obsolete or rarely find use with computers today.

  • CRT monitor
  • Dial-up modem
  • DAT (Digital Audio Tape)
  • Dot matrix printer
  • EDO memory
  • Floppy diskette drive
  • ISA expansion bus
  • Jaz drive
  • Laserdisc
  • Superdisk diskette & drive
  • Optical-mechanical mouse
  • Parallel port
  • PDA
  • PS/2 port
  • Turbo button
  • Typewriter
  • Vacuum tube
  • VGA port
  • Zip drive

Abandonware, Business terms, Deprecated, EOL, Legacy, Modern

  • How to find old computer software.
  • What to do with an old computer.