Subj : Re: Pocket386 is here!
To   : AKAcastor
From : mary4
Date : Thu Apr 18 2024 18:22:21

 AK> I received a Pocket386 today!
 AK> 
 AK> For anyone who hasn't heard of Pocket386 (I have mentioned it lately,
 AK> but who listens to me), it's a new small-form factor 386 notebook sold
 AK> on AliExpress.  New old stock - or possibly pulled, as in the case of
 AK> these 386 CPUs - parts are combined with new parts to build a weird
 AK> little retro PC.
 AK> 
 AK> https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005542582463.html
 AK> 
 AK>  Dimensions: 21x12x3cm
 AK> 
 AK>  386 SX 40MHz Ali M6117
 AK>  8MB DRAM
 AK>  VGA
 AK>  640x480 / 800x480 resolution
 AK>  CompactFlash storage
 AK>  USB storage (CH375B)
 AK>  OPL3 sound card
 AK> 
 AK> There is an included dongle for a parallel port, and a dongle for VGA &
 AK> 2x PS2 ports.  The ISA bus is available on the back of the machine,
 AK> adapter to plug in ISA cards is sold separate (or DIY).
 AK> 
 AK> I just opened the box and turned it on for a couple minutes, my first
 AK> impression of it is positive.
 AK> 
 AK> First off, the printed manual in the box has the pages in the correct
 AK> order - this is already an improvement over the Book8088 I received. :)
 AK> 
 AK> Second, I plugged the power adapter in, turned on the machine and it
 AK> booted right up to the DOS prompt.  Typed 'win' and Windows95 started. 
 AK> There is a "built in mouse", the arrow keys on the keyboard can be used
 AK> to control the mouse cursor - my first impression after trying it is it
 AK> seems more usable than I had expected.
 AK> 
 AK> Back in DOS, I checked the GAMES folder on the included CompactFlash card
 AK> (drive C:) and Wolf3D fired right up, with Adlib sound, looks and sounds
 AK> good. I didn't try DOOM yet but they've included it also.
 AK> 
 AK> Things I don't like - I would have liked to see a serial port included,
 AK> but at least it's possible to plug into the ISA bus so a dongle can be
 AK> added.  (I got the version 2 Book8088 with serial port built in and
 AK> that's handy for BBSing of course.)
 AK> 
 AK> I ordered the Pocket386 March 31 and it was delivered to me (Vancouver
 AK> Island, BC, Canada) April 17.
 AK> 
 AK> Now I have to spend some time with the Pocket386 and see how it holds up
 AK> after the excitement of unboxing a weird little gadget wears off.
 AK> 
 AK> 

i has the 4:3 book 8088 machine and i love my 16 bit binky!

--mary4 (Victoria Crenshaw) the 286 enthusiast

.... A PC a day keeps the Apple away!

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