This machine was the iPod of the 1970s

If you talk about song storage, the Panasonic RS-296US will give you nearly 48 hours of music playback, but there is no thing like an iPod.

When first released, the iPod promises to be a powerful entertainment device for music fans with the ability to store up to 1000 songs. 30 years ago when the iPod was born, being able to store so much music in a device was almost impossible, but there was one exception, the Panasonic RS-296US.

The Panasonic RS-296US weighs up to 18kg.

Of course with the technology of the time, you could not ask for "1000 songs in your pocket" like the iPod, the Panasonic RS-296US weighs up to 18kg, with this number it probably cannot be a device. mobile. But if you take into account the ability to store music, it can hold up to about 48 hours of music, and you can program the order of playing music tapes at your disposal. If you take into account that it was developed before the digital archival period, it is impressive to allow music ordering.

This circular design is quite popular during the CD era, but according to the owner of Panasonic RS-296US, Youtuber Techmoan, it is one of the rare cassette-using devices .

In total, you can store 20 cassettes. Once you have selected the tape you want to play, it will slide down inside the machine and start running, RS-296US also has the ability to rewind and play both parts of the tape without the user having to rotate the tape. again.

Panasonic RS-296US.

However, this machine does not have the ability to record music, cannot rewind fast and cannot play the B-band face in front of A, perhaps this has made it "premature".

The price of RS-296US is also not very pleasant, for $ 179 at that time, if it is calculated according to the exchange rate today it will be more than 1000 USD, it seems only for those with conditions. However, it must be recognized that this product is quite unique, an item worth collecting.