First post, by Hamby
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Not sure where to put this; it's about new hardware, but for running DOS/Win95/98.
I was looking for an x86 based sbc for building a handheld PC or possible a modern Tandy Model 100.
It occurred to me to search for 32-bit SBCs.
And I came across the 86Duino: the company claims DOS/Windows/Linux support...
The one that interests me is the 86Duino One, although the Zero is a lot cheaper, the One has an advantage that I think might matter...
Spec:
Processor Vortex86EX
Clock Speed 300 MHz
Memory 128MB industrial-grade DDR3 (86Duino One)
1GB industrial-grade DDR3 (86Duino One Plus)
Flash Memory 8MB
Digital I/O Pins 45 (of which 11 provide 32bit PWM output)
Analog Input Pins 7 (11bit)
Communication I2C, SPI, UART, RS485, CAN, LAN
Sound High Definition Audio
Sensor LSM330DLC (6-axis Accelerometer & Gyro)
Operating Voltage 5V
Input Voltage (recommended) 6-24V (with anti-power protection)
DC Current per I/O Pin 16 mA
DC Current for 3.3V Pin 400 mA
The GPIO pins interest me; one could theoretically connect it with lots of arduino peripherals and sensors.
If it can be battery powered... one could even make oneself a Star Trek style tricorder, but I digress.
300mhz processor with 128mb ram seems to me to be a powerful choice for Windows98; my current Win98 desktop box is has a K6-2 at 300mhz with 256mb.
A PCIe VGA card is available for another $33. probably mandatory. Only 4mb ram, and not sure if it has 3d acceleration.
A handheld to Tandy M100 sized DOS portable is something I've lusted after for some time. I could probably get something like a libretto for a little bit more, but, building my own with my own custom designed 3d-printed case really captures my interest.
Here's a link to the manufacturer... https://www.86duino.com/?p=70
Here's a link to a 2013 article describing the Zero version of this sbc (more limited voltage, fewer io pins)... https://www.cnx-software.com/2013/11/27/39-86 … dows-and-linux/
So, what does everyone thing? Could it be a solution to a possible handheld/portable DOS/Win95/98 retro computer?
Sure, I could probably do the same thing with a more powerful (Pi 4) SBC and emulate via DOSBox, but not as much fun as trying to run directly on the hardware.