This computer is a treat for retro fans. If you liked Windows 95, you definitely need to check it out.
It’s hard to put into words the difference Windows 95 made in terms of accessibility and intuitiveness for operating systems (and computers in general). Of course, the idea of a graphical user interface was nothing new back then, but a number of Microsoft’s solutions, such as the Start Menu and the taskbar, turned out to be so successful that they are included in every Windows to this day.
Naturally, Windows 95 became an international hit, dominating the market and driving other DOS-based systems out of it. It was the system that cemented Microsoft’s dominance in the operating system market and made the brand the market leader it is today.
This also makes many people have positive memories of Windows 95 – many programs, games and other tools can only be run on this old system. Naturally – one of the solutions is a virtual machine, but it often does not reflect the specificity of the old hardware. For such people, a new product has appeared on the market.
Buy a new computer with Windows 95 on board
Today, there is no shortage of retro gear for fans – new editions of old consoles, toys, and even mobile phones mean that retro enthusiasts can’t complain about a lack of choice. One option that you should definitely look into is the Pocket 386. This is a device that comes from the manufacturer of such equipment as the Book 8086, which, as the name suggests, used the 8086 processor.
In this case we also have very similar specifications. The processor here is Intel 80386, 8 MB DRAM and a removable VGA card. So this is a computer that is based on components that would have been used in PCs 30 years ago and pairs it with the original Windows 95. This eliminates compatibility and emulation issues.
The device also has a number of ports, thanks to which we can connect accessories from the era, which is ideal for someone who already has a retro-setup created at home. This is very useful, because due to its size, the computer does not have a touchpad (or even a trackpoint), so connecting a PS/2 mouse is the first thing we should do in this case.
When it comes to power, a processor from the 80s will definitely not be a performance beast. Yes, we can run all titles, but some, like Doom, can be very crunchy and have nothing to do with fluidity. This is very ironic, because today Doom can be run on everything, from lawnmowers to refrigerators. This just shows how much can change in such a relatively short period.
So who is this computer for? It is certainly a must-have for someone who collects retro gadgets. At the same time, there is a very large community of people who deal with porting games to old hardware or even writing retro titles from scratch. The availability of devices with processors and RAM from the era is very low, and a virtual machine does not always simulate the behavior of real hardware well. Therefore, for example, such a computer can be great in terms of, for example, checking the correctness of optimization and compatibility.
The device can be purchased for about 1500 PLN on Aliexpress. Considering the prices of retroelectronics today – this is not such an exorbitant price.
