Since a client has sent me their laptop (for security reasons) to work on their org, I've summoned this old friend out of retirement: Dell Ultrasharp FP2001.
This monitor was built around 2003, and I've kept it in the closet after about a decade using it. Turns out, it’s still working nicely.
It is surprising but it’s still being sold for up to $200 used – sometimes even more than new LCD monitors in the same marketplace. Why? Because apparently, it's the best monitor still compatible with vintage computers like the Commodore 64, an 8-bit from the 80s.
This got me reminiscing about my experience with old Sony Trinitron and ViewSonic CRTs. I once saw a real estate company liquidating all their 20" CRTs when they upgraded to LCDs. The catch was that you had to buy the entire lot – about 10 or so. I borrowed my friend's van, hauled them home (they were super heavy), and put them on Craigslist.
They sold quickly, but little did I know, those Trinitrons would later be worth up to $1000 each! As they became rare, their zero display lag made them the gold standard for competitive gamers.
Sometimes, what seems like tech junk today can be gold tomorrow – especially if vintage or niche. That reminds me I've been meaning to write about VisualForce! 😅
