(U.S. POV:) There were very few 'computer stores' in the 1970s. Most people who had one -knew exactly why- and -exactly which model- suited their needs. And the

(U.S. POV:) There were very few 'computer stores' in the 1970s. Most people who had one -knew exactly why- and -exactly which model- suited their needs. And the address of the factory selling the kit. "I have a question for you old timers out there: If you're old enough, what are your memories of computer shopping in the 1980s?" Up through the mid-80s, for most people a visit to the early 'computer store' (selling mainly computers) meant visiting an empty store. Lots of time to gab with the only salesperson. That could be great fun, if they actually knew something about computers. They often were trying to sell machines you'd heard of but never seen, outside of a magazine. After the Commodore-64 came along (82-84, depending on the boonie you lived in), the 'computer store' was usually a big-box retailer, into which kids dragged their bewildered parents to show them what they wanted, and which games were cool.