1.3M views · Jun 16, 2023 · 17:10 · 0 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2023–2025
LGR reviews the Book 8088 and Hand 386, newly built DOS retro PCs sold on AliExpress that use real legacy chips on custom boards. He covers what is neat about them and their compromises and odd design decisions.
Why Hacker News points people here: Linked when retro hardware, 8088 or 386 machines, or oddball AliExpress computers come up.
“LGR review of the machine [2].”
Review of the machine
Additional context in [0], [1]. LGR review of the machine [2]. I would recommend reading [1] because it confirms the GPL violation but paints interesting picture of the reason. [0] link [1] link [2] this video "So I Bought Those Weird New AliExpress Retro PCs…"
“LGR covered them a while ago”
Coverage of same company's portable 386/8086 machines
I thought this concept looked familiar and indeed it's by the same company which makes those portable 386 and 8086 machines. LGR covered them a while ago: this video
Oddball retro-equivalent hardware on AliExpress
Retro gaming enthusiasts have been creating mini-PCs first starting with industrial computers (386) built for CNC machines, and have recently been getting custom PCBs made like the Pixel x86: link You can find some oddball stuff on AliExpress that’s probably made to replace as close as possible 1to1 EOL equipment: this video
Weird retro hardware on AliExpress
I love this idea. There are some weird things showing up on Aliexpress but are limited in various ways: this video It does seem like emulation is the way.
