Previous meets current on this $200 mini-laptop with a Intel 8088 chip and 640KB of reminiscence
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Greater than 4 a long time after Intel launched the 8088 processor, a Chinese language PC maker has launched a model new mini-laptop sporting the 4.77 MHz processor, together with help for an non-compulsory 8087 math co-processor.
This new “Book 8088 DOS system” is on the market from AliExpress for $201 and up. And whereas it received’t run most trendy software program, it seems like a retro computing dream, with help for MS-DOS 6.22 and Home windows 3.0 or earlier.
The beginning worth is for simply the essential laptop, which is a 240 x 150 x 30mm (9.4″ x 5.9″ x 1.2″) system with an Intel 8088 chip, IBM-CGA graphics card, 640KB of reminiscence, and a 16-color, 640 x 200 pixel show.
It does have just a few trendy touches, together with a 512MB CompactFlash card for storage and a USB port for peripherals. However this factor could be very a lot designed for working decades-old software program.
Optionally available equipment embrace an OPL3 sound card module with a Yamaha YYMF262-M sound chip (which is similar chip used within the Sound Blaster Professional 2.0), an ISA growth card connector, or an 8087 co-processor. A system with all of these add-ons continues to be fairly inexpensive, at $275.
Total the little PC looks as if an interesting little gadget for enjoying DOS video games, working traditional applications like early versions of Microsoft Word, or simply getting a glimpse of laptop historical past with out the necessity for any form of emulation software program to trick trendy {hardware} to run decades-old software program.
Sadly there’s no data on the battery capability or battery life, however the little laptop works with a 12V/1.5A energy provide.
thanks jdr!