Subj : Pocket386 is here!
To   : All
From : AKAcastor
Date : Wed Apr 17 2024 21:22:36

I received a Pocket386 today!

For anyone who hasn't heard of Pocket386 (I have mentioned it lately, but who listens to me), it's a new small-form factor 386 notebook sold on AliExpress.  New old stock - or possibly pulled, as in the case of these 386 CPUs - parts are combined with new parts to build a weird little retro PC.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005542582463.html

 Dimensions: 21x12x3cm

 386 SX 40MHz Ali M6117
 8MB DRAM
 VGA
 640x480 / 800x480 resolution
 CompactFlash storage
 USB storage (CH375B)
 OPL3 sound card

There is an included dongle for a parallel port, and a dongle for VGA & 2x PS2 ports.  The ISA bus is available on the back of the machine, adapter to plug in ISA cards is sold separate (or DIY).

I just opened the box and turned it on for a couple minutes, my first impression of it is positive.

First off, the printed manual in the box has the pages in the correct order - this is already an improvement over the Book8088 I received. :)

Second, I plugged the power adapter in, turned on the machine and it booted right up to the DOS prompt.  Typed 'win' and Windows95 started.  There is a "built in mouse", the arrow keys on the keyboard can be used to control the mouse cursor - my first impression after trying it is it seems more usable than I had expected.

Back in DOS, I checked the GAMES folder on the included CompactFlash card (drive C:) and Wolf3D fired right up, with Adlib sound, looks and sounds good. I didn't try DOOM yet but they've included it also.

Things I don't like - I would have liked to see a serial port included, but at least it's possible to plug into the ISA bus so a dongle can be added.  (I got the version 2 Book8088 with serial port built in and that's handy for BBSing of course.)

I ordered the Pocket386 March 31 and it was delivered to me (Vancouver Island, BC, Canada) April 17.

Now I have to spend some time with the Pocket386 and see how it holds up after the excitement of unboxing a weird little gadget wears off.


Chris/akacastor

--- Maximus 3.01
 * Origin: Another Millennium - Canada - another.tel (21:1/162)

.