PC World: 50 Best Tech Products of all time

[baggss]

1. Netscape Navigator (1994)
2. Apple II (1977)
3. TiVo HDR110 (1999)
4. Napster (1999)
5. Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS (1983)
6. Apple iPod (2001)
7. Hayes Smartmodem (1981)
8. Motorola StarTAC (1996)
9. WordPerfect 5.1 (1989)
10. Tetris (1985)
11. Adobe Photoshop 3.0 (1994)
12. IBM ThinkPad 700C (1992)
13. Atari VCS/2600 (1977)
14. Apple Macintosh Plus (1986)
15. RIM BlackBerry 857 (2000)
16. 3dfx Voodoo3 (1999)
17. Canon Digital Elph S100 (2000)
18. Palm Pilot 1000 (1996)
19. id Software Doom (1993)
20. Microsoft Windows 95 (1995)
21. Apple iTunes 4 (2003)
22. Nintendo Game Boy (1989)
23. Iomega Zip Drive (1994)
24. Spybot Search & Destroy (2000)
25. Compaq Deskpro 386 (1986)
26. CompuServe (1982)
27. Blizzard World of Warcraft (2004)
28. Aldus PageMaker (1985)
29. HP LaserJet 4L (1993)
30. Apple Mac OS X (2001)
31. Nintendo Entertainment System (1985)
32. Eudora (1988)
33. Sony Handycam DCR-VX1000 (1995)
34. Apple Airport Base Station (1999)
35. Brøderbund The Print Shop (1984)
36. McAfee VirusScan (1990)
37. Commodore Amiga 1000 (1985)
38. ChipSoft TurboTax (1985)
39. Mirabilis ICQ (1996)
40. Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 (1992)
41. Apple HyperCard (1987)
42. Epson MX-80 (1980)
43. Central Point Software PC Tools (1985)
44. Canon EOS Digital Rebel (2003)
45. Red Hat Linux (1994)
46. Adaptec Easy CD Creator (1996)
47. PC-Talk (1982)
48. Sony Mavica MVC-FD5 (1997)
49. Microsoft Excel (1985)
50. Northgate OmniKey Ultra (1987)

PC World

 

[mikeyman]

i didnt know you could buy napster?

 

[Carol247]

I used a few:

1. Netscape Navigator
2. Motorola Startac (my first cell phone)
3. WordPerfect 5.1
4. Tetris (still love that game) but it makes me go cross-eyed..neye:
5. Atari
6. MS Windows 95
7. MS Excel
8. Nintendo Game Boy (for my long waits at the airport). Now I need glasses!

 

[technologist]

So wait...the ThinkPad makes the list, but the PowerBook (same features, better designed, a year earlier) doesn't?

 

[fleurya]

So wait...the ThinkPad makes the list, but the PowerBook (same features, better designed, a year earlier) doesn't?

In terms of use, Thinkpad is probably the most widely used laptop of all time. I think that's why it got the nod. Plus, color screen!

If use is a factor, the HP lasterjet 4000 series is probably the most common business printer used currently. I wish I had one for my home!

A can't believe OS X barely beat out Nintendo!

 

[Amen-Moses]

That's obviously based on some strange definitions of "best" and "tech".

Amen-Moses

 

[trpnmonkey41]

Stuff I have used

1. Netscape Navigator (1994)
2. Apple II (1977)
4. Napster (1999)
6. Apple iPod (2001)
8. Motorola StarTAC (1996)
9. WordPerfect 5.1 (1989)
10. Tetris (1985)
14. Apple Macintosh Plus (1986)
15. RIM BlackBerry 857 (2000)
16. 3dfx Voodoo3 (1999)
18. Palm Pilot 1000 (1996)
19. id Software Doom (1993)
20. Microsoft Windows 95 (1995)
21. Apple iTunes 4 (2003)
22. Nintendo Game Boy (1989)
24. Spybot Search & Destroy (2000)
27. Blizzard World of Warcraft (2004)
29. HP LaserJet 4L (1993) (Waaaaaaay too many of these)
30. Apple Mac OS X (2001)
31. Nintendo Entertainment System (1985)
32. Eudora (1988)
35. Brøderbund The Print Shop (1984)
36. McAfee VirusScan (1990)
38. ChipSoft TurboTax (1985)
39. Mirabilis ICQ (1996)
40. Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 (1992)
44. Canon EOS Digital Rebel (2003)
46. Adaptec Easy CD Creator (1996)
48. Sony Mavica MVC-FD5 (1997)
49. Microsoft Excel (1985)

 

[slashjunior]

I remember using Netscape Navigator all the time, although I did think Internet Explorer did become better.

They have been a bit harsh on Sony I think. What about things like the Walkman, Discman and the Mini-Disc?

 

[eric]

the walkman at least was a landmark product.

i think the confusion is the word "best". they could have at least divided this list into "best" and "most influential".

 

[fleurya]

the walkman at least was a landmark product.

i think the confusion is the word "best". they could have at least divided this list into "best" and "most influential".

I don't know, best in tech is naturally going to be the most recent products, so it would be a short list. I think most influential would be a great list, and the walkman should be at the top as paving the way for all portable audio devices, including mp3 players.

 

[qoody]

1. Netscape Navigator (1994)
2. Apple II (1977)

Interesting order... how could Netscape possible come into being without the proper desktop...

 

[slashjunior]

I don't know, best in tech is naturally going to be the most recent products

I hardly think 1977 is most recent, well in terms of technology anyway. Apart from that it was a good list. iTunes is good but I don't know whether it should be in there or not...they should have put iTunes and iPod together, because together is what makes them truly awesome products, on its own iTunes isn't a really awesome product.

 

[dtravis7]

I have used all below. Netscape was my friend till AOL took it over. Hated IE. Loved Eudora also and my Mac Plus. I agree the list seems out of order!

1. Netscape Navigator (1994)
2. Apple II (1977)
4. Napster (1999)
5. Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS (1983)
6. Apple iPod (2001)
7. Hayes Smartmodem (1981)
9. WordPerfect 5.1 (1989)
10. Tetris (1985)
11. Adobe Photoshop 3.0 (1994)
12. IBM ThinkPad 700C (1992)
13. Atari VCS/2600 (1977)
14. Apple Macintosh Plus (1986)
16. 3dfx Voodoo3 (1999)
18. Palm Pilot 1000 (1996)
19. id Software Doom (1993)
20. Microsoft Windows 95 (1995)
21. Apple iTunes 4 (2003)
22. Nintendo Game Boy (1989)
23. Iomega Zip Drive (1994)
24. Spybot Search & Destroy (2000)
26. CompuServe (1982)
28. Aldus PageMaker (1985)
29. HP LaserJet 4L (1993)
30. Apple Mac OS X (2001)
31. Nintendo Entertainment System (1985)
32. Eudora (1988)
35. Brøderbund The Print Shop (1984)
36. McAfee VirusScan (1990)
37. Commodore Amiga 1000 (1985)
39. Mirabilis ICQ (1996)
40. Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 (1992)
41. Apple HyperCard (1987)
42. Epson MX-80 (1980)
43. Central Point Software PC Tools (1985)
45. Red Hat Linux (1994)
46. Adaptec Easy CD Creator (1996)
49. Microsoft Excel (1985)

 

[eric]

hey! where's PONG?

 

[Scott Baret]

My take on this list:

1. Netscape Navigator (1994)--definitely deserving of this spot.
2. Apple II (1977)--also deserving.
3. TiVo HDR110 (1999)--not sure I'd put it this high, but it did make an impact.
4. Napster (1999)--I wouldn't even include this on the list.
5. Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS (1983)--surprised to see this and not VisiCalc here.
6. Apple iPod (2001)--should be right about here on a list.
7. Hayes Smartmodem (1981)--this too.
8. Motorola StarTAC (1996)--yes, but how is this the first cell on the list? There were others before it like the Digital Personal Communicator.
9. WordPerfect 5.1 (1989)--this does indeed belong here, but why not WordStar around here too?
10. Tetris (1985)--I'd say this is deserving of a spot, but maybe not this high.
11. Adobe Photoshop 3.0 (1994)--yes, but why wait for 3.0?
12. IBM ThinkPad 700C (1992)--good choice, but how does it beat the PowerBook 140/170?
13. Atari VCS/2600 (1977)--yes, since it was a revolution in console gaming.
14. Apple Macintosh Plus (1986)--correct choice for early Macs, since the 128K/512K wasn't as usable.
15. RIM BlackBerry 857 (2000)--this one seems right to me.
16. 3dfx Voodoo3 (1999)--not sure how this one got so high on the list.
17. Canon Digital Elph S100 (2000)--maybe too high on the list.
18. Palm Pilot 1000 (1996)--deserves a spot, even if the Newton was more innovative for its time.
19. id Software Doom (1993)--in my opinion, should not be on the list.
20. Microsoft Windows 95 (1995)--surprised this one isn't higher.
21. Apple iTunes 4 (2003)--this one, too, should be a little further up.
22. Nintendo Game Boy (1989)--I'd say it belongs, but maybe not this high. TI graphing calculators are more innovative, in my mind.
23. Iomega Zip Drive (1994)--maybe this one should have been lower.
24. Spybot Search & Destroy (2000)--OK choice, but not what I'd have at 24.
25. Compaq Deskpro 386 (1986)--sounds reasonable for the middle of the list.
26. CompuServe (1982)--yes, yes, and again yes; maybe could have been higher.
27. Blizzard World of Warcraft (2004)--does not deserve a spot on the list.
28. Aldus PageMaker (1985)--yes, this one does indeed belong and should be up further.
29. HP LaserJet 4L (1993)--not the first personal laser printer, but one of the most notable; should be a little higher.
30. Apple Mac OS X (2001)--should also be higher on the list.
31. Nintendo Entertainment System (1985)--sounds about right for 31st on the list, especially since it brought back the nearly dead home video game industry.
32. Eudora (1988)--great choice, why not a little higher on the list?
33. Sony Handycam DCR-VX1000 (1995)--OK with this one.
34. Apple Airport Base Station (1999)--also OK with this one.
35. Brøderbund The Print Shop (1984)--glad to see this getting some recognition; spot sounds about right too.
36. McAfee VirusScan (1990)--not the first, but I'll take it on the list.
37. Commodore Amiga 1000 (1985)--sounds good for #37.
38. ChipSoft TurboTax (1985)--yes, this one belongs; nice to see its original maker getting some credit for once.
39. Mirabilis ICQ (1996)--why this and not AIM?
40. Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 (1992)--good card, good choice.
41. Apple HyperCard (1987)--yes, yes, and yes!!!
42. Epson MX-80 (1980)--sounds good for this spot.
43. Central Point Software PC Tools (1985)--surprise pick, but not a bad one.
44. Canon EOS Digital Rebel (2003)--another surprise pick, but again a good choice.
45. Red Hat Linux (1994)--surprised this one isn't higher.
46. Adaptec Easy CD Creator (1996)--OK choice, but maybe not my first pick for the list.
47. PC-Talk (1982)--good lower list choice.
48. Sony Mavica MVC-FD5 (1997)--yes, I approve of this one too.
49. Microsoft Excel (1985)--how is this one not a little higher?
50. Northgate OmniKey Ultra (1987)--why not the Model M keyboard?

 

[chscag]

That list was compiled almost 5 years ago. I'm sure if the same were to be done today it would be different. And like any other list of what's best, it's purely subjective.

 

[Dysfunction]

My take on this list:


39. Mirabilis ICQ (1996)--why this and not AIM?

Because in 1996 ICQ was available to the Internet, Buddy List was only available to AOL subscribers (it was employee only in '95 btw). AIM didn't become available outside AOL's internal network until '97. Subsequently (in 1998), AOL bought ICQ and incorporated it into their AIM service. That's why. Fundamentally, ICQ was the first Internet-wide instant messaging service (not including talk, which has been around in a Unix environment for decades, but wasn't exactly widely used).

Ohhhhh and while I'm thinking about my past.. why Photoshop 3.0? Simple. Layers were introduced in 3.0. It was a ground shaking fundamental change in how we manipulated imagery.

 

[iggibar]

I'm not sure about some on that list, but then again, if I made my own list, it would be biased because I haven't used all the tech in the world to know what the top 50 tech products of all time would be. I remember the Netscape, and Net-Zero times real well.

 

[dtravis7]

Netscape was for sure my favorite browser at the time as was Eudora for email. Like I said in another post, I used a lot of that in the list and liked most of it.

 

[Kevriano]

Weird list with the Walkman missing, that was the precursor to the iPod.
I have fond memories of Netscape too. Whatever happened to it?