Retro Review

Retro Review was a retro-computing magazine published irregularly from January 2002 to March 2004. It was notable for presenting itself as the first multiformat magazine devoted specifically to old computers, rather than concentrating on a single platform or manufacturer. The publication was founded, edited, and published by Jorge Canelhas and Ian Gledhill. The magazine began with a print issue released on 15 January 2002. Its initial format was a 60-page A5 publication with a colour cover. Despite the conventional magazine dimensions and presentation, the early issues were produced by photocopying, reflecting the small-scale and specialist nature of the project. Its subject matter was the broader retro-computing field, encompassing historical computers and multiple platforms rather than treating one machine family as its sole focus. A significant format change occurred in January 2003. From 21 January, subscribers could receive the magazine as a PDF in addition to the print edition. This made Retro Review an early example of a specialist publication using digital distribution alongside physical copies, while retaining a print option for readers who preferred a traditional magazine. The available reference material does not identify a commercial publisher, corporate parent, circulation figure, price, or specific distribution territory. Retro Review was published irregularly and ultimately had a brief run. Its fifth issue, released on 15 March 2004, was the final issue. The magazine therefore represents a small but distinctive publication in the early-2000s retro-computing scene: it combined preservationist interest in older computers with a multiformat editorial concept and experimented with subscriber PDF delivery before ending after five issues. No reliable information is available here about a successor publication, current ownership, or an active official website.

Retro Review emerged in the early 2000s as a specialist publication for readers interested in older computers. Its stated distinction was that it was the first multiformat magazine dedicated to retro computing, giving it a broader remit than magazines associated with a particular platform, operating system, or computer manufacturer. The project was founded by Jorge Canelhas and Ian Gledhill, who also took responsibility for editing and publishing the magazine. The first issue appeared on 15 January 2002. It consisted of 60 A5 pages, used a colour cover, and was produced as a photocopied print publication. This production method suggests a small independent operation rather than a mass-market magazine, although the available reference does not provide circulation, pricing, or publisher details. The publication's central identity was its coverage of old computers across multiple formats, placing it within the emerging retro-computing and computer-history community. Retro Review later expanded its delivery model. Beginning on 21 January 2003, subscribers were offered a PDF version in addition to the print edition. The change did not replace the physical magazine; instead, it added digital access to the existing print format. This dual approach connected a niche print publication with the increasingly accessible electronic-document format of the period. The magazine remained irregularly published. Its fifth and final issue was released on 15 March 2004, bringing the publication's documented run to five issues over approximately two years. No information in the supplied references establishes a continuation under another name, acquisition by a larger publisher, or a surviving operating company. Retro Review is consequently best classified as a defunct independent magazine brand rather than an active consumer brand or corporate business.

• 2004

  Fifth and final issue released

  [1]Retro Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The magazine's fifth and final issue was published on 15 March 2004.

• 2003

  PDF subscription edition introduced

  [1]Retro Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  From 21 January 2003, subscribers could receive Retro Review as a PDF as well as in the print edition.

• 2002

  First issue published

  [1]Retro Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The inaugural 60-page A5 issue of Retro Review was published on 15 January 2002. It had a colour cover and was produced as a photocopied print magazine.

A specialist multiformat retro-computing magazine focused on older computers and their history, culture, and communities.

• Retro-computing magazine · 2002

  Retro Review print magazine

  The original physical edition of Retro Review was an irregularly published magazine devoted to older computers across multiple formats. The first issue was a 60-page A5 publication with a colour cover and was produced by photocopying. The magazine ran for five documented issues between January 2002 and March 2004.

• Digital magazine edition · 2003

  Retro Review PDF edition

  The PDF edition was introduced for subscribers from 21 January 2003. It supplemented rather than immediately replaced the print magazine, giving readers a digital delivery option for the same specialist retro-computing publication.

• 2003

  Addition of digital subscriber deliveryStrategy

  Background

  Retro Review was an irregularly published specialist print magazine serving a niche retro-computing audience.

  Action taken

  Beginning on 21 January 2003, the publication made a PDF version available to subscribers alongside the print edition.

  Aftermath

  The magazine continued publishing until its fifth and final issue in March 2004. The sources do not state whether the PDF option materially changed circulation or revenue.

  Source

1. 1Retro Reviewen.wikipedia.org