BitWrangler wrote on 2024-04-23, 19:04:
In my view it doesn't accomplish anything. 8MB on 386 class is somewhat generous and you only need 4MB 99% of the time. If you really wanted to use this as an excruciatingly slow 95-98 era office machine, it would be slightly less excruciatingly slow with 16MB. Not trying to be gatekeepery, just think that for any expense greater than "I had the parts lying around anyway" it rewards you poorly and you'll be disappointed.
Except that the processor is socketed which implies we could improve things in that area, too -- also there isn't a point to this machine in general. Embedded 386 and 486 boards are a dime a dozen and in nearly every situation on the planet a usb to rs232 adapter and a cheapass notebook (and a virtual machine if you really need) also already does everything this thing can do and more so your point is moo.
The entire reason this machine exists is because it can exist and your comment reads like the people who were shame the various pico-based attachments for these types of devices or those serial wifi adapters to go on old websites and pages. Its a hobby and I see no reason why you have to come off as so discouraging.
Additionally, I bought this machine to experiment and I have certain pieces of equipment (such as a pocket RS232 serial printer) where the processor meets the specs but not the RAM and so there are things I could be doing with a little bit of extra space either way.
If it breaks, it breaks. I'm not interested in it just sitting pretty on a shelf.