Do you remember your first computer? How about its general specs and cost? I remember mine. It was 1997. I ordered a P166 online. It had 32MB of RAM. Its video card was upscale--it had 16MB of RAM! It had a 3GB HD. This gem of technology cost me about $1800. My friends who knew anything about computers teased me, saying I was getting myself a monster. (I think they were jealous.) Since then, my computers have been named Monster. And since then, a lot (a lot) has happened in technology!

Unfortunately, my techie-type memories don't go as far back as 1988, but there's a fascinating article at PC World that compares prices and capabilities of technology from that year to this. There are comparisons of everything from cell phones to laptops, televisions to portable audio devices.

For instance, 1988's cell phone was 10 inches tall, weighed almost 2 pounds, and cost over $4000 when adjusted for inflation. Basically, all it could do was call someone, and it had a one-hour battery life. Today we have the iPhone, easily fitting in a small pocket, weighing in at 5 ounces, at a cost of $399. It can still call people. It can also let you check your email, surf the Web, play almost unlimited music, and display color videos, giving eight hours of use before recharging is needed. *1988 jaws dropping*

The progress that has been made in these fields is--well, it's impressive, to say the least. Both in cost and function, today's world is so far ahead of that time, it's astonishing. Of course, we'd expect engineers and designers and production qualities to have excelled. But this much? I think they've outdone themselves. Seems to me we don't have much room for complaint.

All in all, I guess you couldn't call this a "breaking news" story, but it's sure fun to see how far we've come in such a relatively short time.

Wait...wish list? Yes, sure! Make a wish list, adding miracle features and qualities to your favorite toys of today. And you know what? Given the record so far, your wish list may be fulfilled even sooner than you'd dream.