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LGR - Those Weird AliExpress PCs (Patreon)

Published:
2023-06-13 23:51:19
Imported:

Content

https://youtu.be/6bODiZ5bP84

Well this was inevitable! As soon as I saw these funky things online about a month ago I had to grab them. And of course, countless requests to cover them ensued as word spread around social media, tech news, enthusiast groups and so on. I know a number of others have covered them already since theirs arrived sooner, but once I received mine I found I still had things to say in a review.

So we're checking out the Book8088 and Hand386, newly-made retro computers that are/were available for sale on AliExpress. No emulation here, these are DOS PCs running an 8088 and 386SX processor, respectively. Each system uses legacy chips on custom PCBs inside, melded with various open source projects, off-the-shelf components, and injection molded enclosures. They sure are neat! But wow are there a lot of compromises, drawbacks, and odd design decisions.

Files

So I Bought Those Weird New AliExpress Retro PCs…

An LGR review of the Book 8088 and Hand 386, newly-made retro computers on Aliexpress! No emulation here, these are DOS PCs running an 8088 and 386SX processor, using legacy chips on custom PCBs melded with open source projects, off-the-shelf components, and injection molded enclosures. They sure are neat! But lots of compromises, drawbacks, and odd design decisions. ● LGR links: https://www.patreon.com/LazyGameReviews https://www.twitter.com/LazyGameReviews https://www.facebook.com/LazyGameReviews ● Here's where I bought the machines in May 2023: Book8088 – https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805342629426.html Hand386 – https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805356267711.html ● All background music licensed from: http://www.epidemicsound.com 00:00 These weird AliExpress retro PCs 00:58 What are these 02:07 Price and what they come with 03:34 The Book8088 08:45 Lack of I/O, ISA bus extender 10:31 The Hand386 12:37 D&MP 386 and what it can do 14:33 In summary: neat but compromised #LGR #retro #computer #vintage #technology #aliexpress

Comments

Anonymous

It's funny the videos I've seen never mentioned the NVIDIA logo on the 386 SOC, and one of the pics shows ALI on the same chip, so at some point after NVIDIA's acquisition of ALI (or rather ULI as they were later known) they re-screened those chips and continued selling them. Interesting!

Ian Scott

The Book8088 is available for purcahse again, it looks like. I got a Hand386 with plans to make a mini PicoGUS sidecar for it, but now the Book8088 tempts me.

Anonymous

I think you hit the nail on the head, neat but unfinished. $200 is quite a stretch for what's on offer but $200 for a well built 386 palmtop with all the fixin's and easy upgradability doesn't sound too bad.

Anonymous

Hey, love the video but on an unrelated note just saw that a 32 inch CRT with component input came up for sale on save the crts Facebook link to Facebook marketplace in Asheville. Thought I'd just let ya know.