I received a Pocket386 today!
386 SX 40MHz Ali M6117 8MB DRAM VGA 640x480 / 800x480 resolution
Second, I plugged the power adapter in, turned on the machine and it booted right up to the DOS prompt. Typed 'win' and Windows95 started. There is a "built in mouse", the arrow keys on the keyboard can be used to
I received a Pocket386 today!
For anyone who hasn't heard of Pocket386 (I have mentioned it lately,
but who listens to me), it's a new small-form factor 386 notebook sold
on AliExpress. New old stock - or possibly pulled, as in the case of these 386 CPUs - parts are combined with new parts to build a weird
little retro PC.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005542582463.html
Dimensions: 21x12x3cm
386 SX 40MHz Ali M6117
8MB DRAM
VGA
640x480 / 800x480 resolution
CompactFlash storage
USB storage (CH375B)
OPL3 sound card
There is an included dongle for a parallel port, and a dongle for VGA &
2x PS2 ports. The ISA bus is available on the back of the machine, adapter to plug in ISA cards is sold separate (or DIY).
I just opened the box and turned it on for a couple minutes, my first impression of it is positive.
First off, the printed manual in the box has the pages in the correct order - this is already an improvement over the Book8088 I received. :)
Second, I plugged the power adapter in, turned on the machine and it booted right up to the DOS prompt. Typed 'win' and Windows95 started. There is a "built in mouse", the arrow keys on the keyboard can be used
to control the mouse cursor - my first impression after trying it is it seems more usable than I had expected.
Back in DOS, I checked the GAMES folder on the included CompactFlash card (drive C:) and Wolf3D fired right up, with Adlib sound, looks and sounds good. I didn't try DOOM yet but they've included it also.
Things I don't like - I would have liked to see a serial port included, but at least it's possible to plug into the ISA bus so a dongle can be added. (I got the version 2 Book8088 with serial port built in and
that's handy for BBSing of course.)
I ordered the Pocket386 March 31 and it was delivered to me (Vancouver Island, BC, Canada) April 17.
Now I have to spend some time with the Pocket386 and see how it holds up after the excitement of unboxing a weird little gadget wears off.
Isn't it the last 'open' CPU? Not old hardware, but new??
Isn't it the last 'open' CPU? Not old hardware, but new??
the 486 to 686 (pentium ][) is open i think
Now THOSE are systems that I'd love to see 'new options' for. My favorite platform of all time the the 486, but I'm looking to add something much faster this year - Pentium-II, Pentium-4, 686... something that runs the next generation OS and softwarez. :P
Now THOSE are systems that I'd love to see 'new options' for. My favorite platform of all time the the 486, but I'm looking to add something much
Although a 6502 guy, and have had any number of x86 boxes... I have a soft spot for a Mac IIfx, all those nifty nubus slots, it was like the Apple II of the Mac world.
And the fastest Mac for a long time. You had to be a kick-ass creative guy to get a IIfx, the rest of us had to limp along with IIcis.
Spectre wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
And the fastest Mac for a long time. You had to be a kick-ass creative guy to get a IIfx, the rest of us had to limp along with IIcis.
If'n I recall right, came with an 030 cpu, and there were 040 upgrades around for it. Friend o' mine had one for years.. until after Nubus disappeared completely.
If'n I recall right, came with an 030 cpu, and there were 040 upgrades around for it. Friend o' mine had one for years.. until after Nubus disappeared completely.
Now, I'm hearing that "bong" startup chord in my head.
Now, I'm hearing that "bong" startup chord in my head.
Good day for it to come up - it's not the only bong sound being heard on this special day! Happy 4/20! :)
Good day for it to come up - it's not the only bong sound being heard on this special day! Happy 4/20! :)
What is special about 4/20? Assuming its 20th o' April.... <boggle>
What is special about 4/20? Assuming its 20th o' April.... <boggle>
telnet://bbs.roonsbbs.hu:1212 <<=-
these are the guys who stole the open source bios ? :)
Sergey's version does now "officially" support Book8088 machines, so the BIOS can be replaced easily with an official / updated version. https://github.com/skiselev/8088_bios
Sysop: | Tetrazocine |
---|---|
Location: | Melbourne, VIC, Australia |
Users: | 7 |
Nodes: | 8 (0 / 8) |
Uptime: | 167:13:21 |
Calls: | 46 |
Files: | 21,492 |
Messages: | 65,725 |