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Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Electronics & Gadgets

Can You Master This 80's Tech Trivia Quiz?

Dive into 80 trivia questions with answers and prove your retro tech mastery!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art style cutouts of 80s gadgets including floppy disk cassette game controller and quiz sheet on dark blue background

Ready to flash back into the neon glow of the Reagan era? Jump into our free 80's trivia questions with answers Tech Quiz Challenge and dive into iconic gadgets, test your eighties trivia questions and answers skills, and relive the dawn of personal computing. You'll tackle tech trivia questions about floppy disks, VHS players, early video game consoles and more! With our curated 80's trivia questions answers and expert-crafted technology trivia questions , you'll sharpen your trivia on technology and celebrate your retro expertise. Think you've got what it takes? Start your engine and prove your eighties expertise now!

Which portable cassette player launched by Sony in 1979 became emblematic of 80s music culture?
Walkman
Discman
Boombox
MiniDisc
Sony introduced the TPS-L2 Walkman in 1979, revolutionizing how people listened to music on the go. Its lightweight design and high-quality sound made it an instant cultural icon. The Walkman brand dominated portable audio through the 1980s and into the 1990s.
What was the name of the primary storage medium for IBM PCs in the early 1980s?
Hard disk drive
Magnetic tape
5.25-inch floppy disk
3.5-inch floppy disk
When IBM introduced its first PC in 1981, it shipped with dual 5.25-inch floppy drives for data storage and software distribution. These disks held 160 KB per side and became the de facto removable medium for personal computers throughout the early 80s. Hard drives were optional and far more expensive at the time.
Which video game console was released by Nintendo in 1985 in North America?
TurboGrafx-16
Sega Master System
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Atari 7800
Nintendo launched the NES in North America in October 1985 to revive the video game market after the 1983 crash. Its library of iconic titles like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda cemented its success. It became one of the best-selling consoles of its era.
The first Apple Macintosh was released in 1984.
False
True
Apple unveiled the Macintosh 128K on January 24, 1984, featuring a graphical user interface and a mouse. This release marked a major shift from command-line interfaces to user-friendly desktop environments. Its iconic Super Bowl commercial introduced it to a wide audience.
Which home computer launched in 1982 featured a SID chip for advanced sound synthesis?
Apple IIe
Atari 800
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
The Commodore 64, released in August 1982, included the MOS Technology SID (Sound Interface Device) chip, which provided unprecedented audio capabilities. Its synthesized sound and multi-voice music helped make it popular among gamers and hobbyist programmers. The SID is still celebrated by chiptune musicians today.
Which camcorder, released by Sony in 1985, introduced the smaller VHS-C format?
Camcordia
Handycam
Video Walkman
Betamovie
Sony's Handycam series debuted in 1985 and popularized the VHS-C format, a compact version of VHS tape. This allowed consumers to record home videos on smaller, lighter cassettes while retaining compatibility with standard VHS VCRs via an adapter. The Handycam line shaped consumer camcorder design for years.
What was the resolution of the original Nintendo Game Boy's screen?
240×160
128×128
320×240
160×144
The Nintendo Game Boy, released in 1989, featured a monochrome LCD screen with a resolution of 160×144 pixels. Despite its limited display capabilities, it became a massive hit due to its portability and strong game library. The Game Boy's screen resolution influenced handheld gaming design for years to come.
Which early portable computer released in 1981 by Osborne Computers was considered the first true 'luggable' PC?
IBM PC Convertible
Apple Portable
Osborne 1
Compaq Portable
The Osborne 1, introduced in April 1981, is commonly recognized as the first commercially successful portable computer. It weighed about 24.5 pounds and featured a small built-in screen, two floppy drives, and bundled software. Though bulky by today's standards, it paved the way for the laptop market.
What was the name of the 8-bit microprocessor at the heart of the original IBM PC launched in 1981?
Zilog Z80
Intel 8088
Motorola 68000
Intel 8086
The IBM PC introduced in 1981 used the Intel 8088 microprocessor, a variant of the 8086 with an 8-bit external data bus. Running at 4.77 MHz, the 8088 balanced performance with lower system cost. Its architecture set the standard for PC compatibles that followed.
In which year did the first IBM PC-compatible virus known as 'Brain' appear?
1988
1982
1986
1984
The Brain virus, created in Pakistan by Basit and Amjad Farooq Alvi, was first detected in January 1986. It infected the boot sector of 5.25-inch floppy disks and is widely considered the first IBM PC virus. Brain spread as users shared infected disks across the globe.
What was the storage capacity of the original Sony 3.5-inch floppy disk introduced in 1981?
360 KB
1.44 MB
720 KB
1 MB
Sony's original 3.5-inch floppy disk, released in 1981, held 720 KB of data in a double-sided, double-density format. Its hard plastic shell and sliding metal cover protected the media better than earlier formats. The 3.5-inch disk rapidly became the industry standard for personal computers.
Which early cellular phone, released by Motorola in 1983, weighed nearly 2.5 pounds?
DynaTAC 8000X
MicroTAC
StarTAC
Talkman
Motorola's DynaTAC 8000X, approved by the FCC in 1983, was the world's first commercial handheld cellular phone. It weighed about 2.5 pounds and offered just 30 minutes of talk time. Its iconic 'brick' design laid the groundwork for future mobile phones.
In what year did ARPANET officially adopt the TCP/IP protocol suite?
1985
1981
1983
1980
On January 1, 1983, ARPANET transitioned from the NCP protocol to the TCP/IP suite, forming the technical foundation of today's Internet. This 'flag day' enabled more robust internetworking across diverse hardware. TCP/IP remains the core communication standard for global networks.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic Eighties Gadgets -

    Recall key devices like the Game Boy, cassette players, floppy disks, and dial-up modems by answering 80's trivia questions with answers.

  2. Understand Eighties Tech Evolution -

    Understand how eighties innovations paved the way for modern computing and portable electronics by tracing design and functionality changes.

  3. Analyze 80's Trivia Details -

    Analyze the specific features and release contexts of eighties tech to distinguish between models and their impact.

  4. Apply Retro Tech Knowledge -

    Apply your trivia insights to real-world conversations, quizzes, or games, showcasing your eighties tech expertise.

  5. Evaluate Cultural Impact of Eighties Technology -

    Evaluate how eighties gadgets influenced music, gaming, and computing culture to appreciate their lasting significance.

Cheat Sheet

  1. IBM PC Debut (1981) -

    The IBM 5150 kicked off the personal computer revolution with an Intel 8088 CPU at 4.77 MHz and 16 - 64 KB of RAM, expandable to 256 KB. Remember "4 and 7 make 4.77" to nail that clock speed in 80's trivia questions with answers. These specs are verified by IBM's official archives and PC history resources.

  2. Floppy Disk Evolution -

    The shift from 5.25″ (360 KB) to 3.5″ (720 KB and later 1.44 MB) floppies defined eighties trivia questions and answers on removable storage. A simple way to recall capacities: "Three six-zero, seven-two-oh, one-four-four-oh." Details come from the Computer History Museum's extensive archive.

  3. Dial-up Modem Speeds -

    Modems grew from 300 bps to 1,200 bps and then 2,400 bps by mid-decade, enabling the first online bulletin boards. Use the "3-12-24" rhyme to remember each speed milestone in any 80 trivia questions with answers. Standards are documented by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T).

  4. Nintendo Game Boy Launch (1989) -

    The Game Boy featured an 8-bit Sharp CPU at 4.19 MHz, a 160×144 monochrome LCD and weighed just 220 g. Think "4-1-6-1-4" to recall MHz and resolution (4.19 MHz, 160×144) for 80s trivia and answers. Specs are listed on Nintendo's official product history page.

  5. Sony Walkman TPS-L2 -

    Introduced in late 1979 but reigning through the '80s, the Walkman TPS-L2 popularized portable audio with dual headphone jacks and a 3.5 mm input. Remember "Two Heads, One Jack, Sony Playback" to ace related eighties trivia questions and answers. Sony's corporate archives confirm these pioneering features.

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