Top 21+ Photos That Show What It Was Like To Own A PC And Use The Internet In The '90s And Early 2000s

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

The '90s and early 2000s brought the first wave of casual internet and PC users, as companies in the 80s mainly used the machines for technical purposes, meaning only a select few could access and understand the technology.

The period was marked by chunky monitors lighting up homes across the country, the instantly recognizable dial-up connections and families crowding around in anticipation of their turn on the family PC, often stationed in the kitchen or living room.

While today’s world is dominated by instant access and almost immediate responsiveness, back then, patience was a virtue, and every new connection felt like a victory. Whether it was downloading songs or navigating early browsers, those memories of the '90s and early 2000s are precious and we decided to share 21 images that encapsulate part of that magic time.

Early internet exploring

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc.

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Remember Dial-Up internet?

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet.

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Using the Internet at the Library

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Using the Internet at the Library PT.2

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Family PC in the kitchen

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Big Box PC Games

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

The perfect 2000s PC!!!

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Gaming PC Desk (early '00s)

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

My old late 90s PC DVD setup. Before I ever owned a standalone DVD player, that was what I used, back in the day. Old Pentium PC and that 14" CRT monitor. Kinda yellowed now but still functional.

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Kids in the 90s playing PC games.

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

An old PC I found in a cupboard at work. one of today's PC's on top for scale. The stickers say 2000 compliant & Windows 98

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

Early internet exploring, 20th century – PC games before the internet – Solitaire, Minesweeper, etc., Remember Dial-Up internet?, Connecting to AOL dial-up internet access, with no busy signal. American Online!, The real struggle of connecting my PC to the internet., Using the Internet at the Library, Using the Internet at the Library PT.2, Family PC in the kitchen, Big Box PC Games, The perfect 2000s PC!!!, Gaming PC Desk (early '00s), Gateway Computers 90s & 2000s, Original 1993 Macintosh II with the Pro Keyboard, Kids in the 90s playing PC games., My awesome childhood cat with my awesome childhood computer – mid-1990s, Windows 98 Era of PC Gaming

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