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Evolution of Argos’ biggest ever products over the past five decades from computers to gaming consoles


IT has been a national staple since its launch in 1973, with excited children poring over its pages at Christmas.

Now Argos is putting every catalogue online for customers to reminisce – and The Sun has been given an exclusive early look.

 Argos is going to put every catalogue since 1973 online for customers to reminisce about the 'book of dreams'

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Argos is going to put every catalogue since 1973 online for customers to reminisce about the ‘book of dreams’Credit: Alamy

From its first release to this year’s festive edition – called The Book Of Dreams in honour of its nickname, they give a fascinating insight into how technology and shopping habits have changed.

Here, we take a look at the evolution of some of Argos’s big products over the past five decades.

Personal Computers

In the 1970s, the Smith Corona Courier typewriter came with a type-writing course on cassette, £44.95.

But in the 1980s, the £189.95 Olympia Carrera typewriter came with an automatic correction function – the earliest form of spellcheck.

The 90s saw PCs enter our homes, but at a hefty price – this Opus was £1,098.

In the 2000s, computer towers and monitors are sold separately, like this £159.99 LG screen.

One of the must-haves for Christmas 2019 is a tablet, like this £99 Lenovo model.

Music systems

In the 1970s, you could play LPs and record on casette tapes with GEC’s £193 Music Centre.

Sony’s Walkman personal stereo led the way but this Ferguson cassette player, £28.95, was a cool(ish) alternative in then 80s.

A radio, CD, and cassette player came together in the Philips stereo, £99.99 in the 1990s.

iPods arrives with a bang in 2001, costing just uner £300, but prices fell and cost from £178.97.

Today, who needs a music player when it can all be done on your iPhone? The 64GB X model is yours for £899.

Watching the box

In the 1970s, this mini handheld Sharp telly had a 12in screen and manual controls, costing £69.95.

But in the 1980s, remotes were commonplace but viewers forked out £249 for the function on this Fidelity model.

Before the internet in the 1990s, there was Teletext – and it was a big selling point for this £239 Bush TV.

In the 200s, most TVs were HD ready and Freeview compatible, like the £299 one from Bush.

Now, we can get online videos, apps and more on smart TVs like this 43in LG, costing £299.

Gaming consoles

In the 1970s, you could plug the £31.99 Binatone into your TV to play tennis, squash and football, or buy toy hand guns separately for target games.

With Atari’s £69.99 video game console you could plug in various cartridges to play such 1980s delights such as Space Invaders or Pac-Man.

Sonic The Hedgehog was the cult game on the Sega console in the 1990s, costing £49.50.

The Xbox 360, £279, was hailed as the future with its high-definition images in the 200s.

Now, disc-free gaming is here – now you can go digital with an Xbox One console, £199.99.

 

 This year's festive edition is called The Book of Dreams in honour of its nickname

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This year’s festive edition is called The Book of Dreams in honour of its nickname
Argos hikes price of hot tub by £100 two days after putting it on sale



 





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