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Screenshots of Old Desktop OSes

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Why This Matters

This collection of vintage desktop OS screenshots highlights the evolution of user interfaces and graphical capabilities in early computing, offering valuable insights into the foundational designs that influenced modern operating systems. Understanding these early interfaces helps both developers and consumers appreciate the technological advancements and design philosophies that shape today's digital experiences.

Key Takeaways

10 March 2024

1983 • 640 × 400 PNG (6 KB) VisiCorp Visi On Screen capture: Turbo XT Clone — Visi On 1.0 This screenshot has been line-doubled to correct its aspect ratio, so it appears here as it does on the system monitor.

1984 • 1152 × 900 PNG (66 KB) SunTools desktop Screen capture: Sun 2/120 — SunOS 1.1

1984 • 1152 × 900 PNG (41 KB) SunTools desktop Screen capture: Sun 2/120 — SunOS 1.1

1985 • 512 × 256 PNG (6 KB) HP Integral PC Screen capture: HP Integral PC — HP-UX 5.0/RO, with additional tools and applications running from attached 7946A.

1985 • 1152 × 900 PNG (29 KB) SunTools desktop Screen capture: Sun 2/50 — SunOS 2.0

1985 • 320 × 200 GIF (7 KB) IBM 4-Color CGA Graphics Screen capture: IBM PC video game ('Alleycat')

1985 • 640 × 350 PNG (5 KB) GEM Desktop 1.2 Screen capture: GEM Desktop 1.2 in 16-color EGA mode. This version of GEM for the IBM PC was the last to be released before Apple prevailed against DRI in its seminal "look and feel" lawsuit.

1985 • 640 × 350 PNG (8 KB) GEM Draw 1.0 Screen capture: GEM Draw 1.0 in 16-color EGA mode, with sample drawing loaded. Along with GEM Write and GEM Paint, GEM Draw was among the first applications available at the premiere of GEM Desktop on the IBM PC.

1987 • 640 × 512 PNG (8 KB) Arthur 0.30 Screen capture: Acorn Archimedes A310 — Arthur 0.30 Desktop, with sample desk accessories running. The red window frame doesn't indicate the active window, but rather that there is unsaved data in the Note-Pad desk accessory.

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