Aui wrote on 2025-12-23, 22:07:

I think the "usability angle" is a poor measure for retro enthusiasts. Of course there may be some fun in trying to build a system that covers as much as possible from an XT to an i9, but a genuine working i386 is a completely different thing (think of a modern 5$ digital watch vs. an old mechanical clock). If we can forget Doom for a moment, the 386 may be the quintessential early to mid era DOS computer. The game library playable on a 386 is also facinating, because it comes from a time were individual people or small companies really "invented" entire generes. It lacks a lot of the conveniences of late 486 builds (on board IIDE, limited HDD size etc.). But is also has largely solved the at times severe shortcomminngs of the 286 (e.g. only 1MB memory mainboards etc. ) The simplicity of these earlier machines forces you to take a deeper dive into the possibilities and limitations of an era. (you can probably tell fully working 386 machines are my favourite DOS computers 😉 )

its a fully valid measure. At the end of the day you want to use what you buildt, right?

for me is much more interesting pushing the limit, do with a computer what is wasnt supposed to do in its day

a 386 its too limited, even for that.