Tech enthusiast brings a blast from the past with a nostalgic look at Apple's 1999 iBook

Technology continues to evolve, but retro tech items never fail to induce a sense of nostalgia. A tech content creator named Martin Nobel–who goes by @itsnobeltech on Instagram–often makes videos comparing old technology with its new counterparts. Recently, he shared a video of himself while switching on the iconic iBook, which was first launched by Apple in 1999.

As Nobel opens the iBook, a melodious accordion tune starts playing as the device greets him. After a few random shots of the iBook from different angles appear on the screen, the "Welcome" message floats along in various languages including Italian and Chinese. The famous Apple logo sits at the bottom of the iBook screen as a rather funny message shows up, giving users the option to connect to the internet.

The message on the screen reads, "Are You Sure? It's simple and fun. You'll get your own e-mail address and software to keep in touch with family and friends. Explore the World Wide Web. Shop online. Isn't getting on the internet why you bought your iBook in the first place?" After that, iBook gave its users three options related to whether or not they are interested in connecting to the internet. The last and the most hilarious option reads, "I am not ready for the internet."

It's safe to say that social media users, mostly those who are from the current generation, were in shock and awe to see the old version of their modern-day Apple MacBooks, which look a lot more sleek and compact compared to the yesteryear's iBook. @zedzeezee wrote, "Kids watching this don't get the full context. At the time, no other company had a pre-launch video like this or such a sleek and polished setup screen." @lea_nirvana99 shared, "Fun fact: The sound when you turn on a MacBook is inspired by the last tone of The Beatles' 'A Day In The Life Of.'"

@prislopez_ commented, "Please, can we bring funky designs back? They are so cute and would give me a lot of serotonin." @kaollasu78 quipped, "Omg. I need to find one of these for my kid. She needs to know how good she's got it now with her iPad." @lark_jay95 added, "I would love for iPad to bring back these cool designs! A market for the youth. But for 1999, this is impressive." Many people joked how we are still not ready for the internet and that the iBook was really expensive back then just like every other Apple product in the market today.

To those who are still unfamiliar with the iBook, Apple History summarizes the so-called computing device. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, announced the iBook—the most awaited Apple computer at the time—in July 1999 at Macworld New York. The device did have several semi-revolutionary features for such a low-end machine. It was the first Mac to include AGP-based graphics and a handle, a feature that was not really portable in earlier devices.

The iBook was the first Mac released using Unified Motherboard Architecture (UMA), which allowed Apple to standardize most motherboard components across all product lines. The most exciting new feature of the iBook was the inclusion of AirPort, a wireless networking system based on existing industry standards. At $1599, The iBook was $900 less expensive than Apple's lowest-priced professional PowerBook. Sure, we have come a long way from clunky and heavy computers to lightweight portable devices, but the iBook still remains a revolutionary piece of technology.