Revisiting the Past: The Pocket 386 - A Compact Retro Laptop Powered by MS-DOS and Windows 3.x

China
Approximately 210 x 120 x 30mm (8.3 inches x 4.7 inches x 1.2 inches) in size.
Battery capacity of 4,000 mAh.
Can run MS-DOS and Windows 95 operating systems.
Comes with either 4MB or 8MB of RAM.
Features Yamaha OPL3 sound card and optional VGA adapter for graphics output.
One USB port and external ports for PS/2, VGA, parallel, and serial connections.
Popular software titles include games from Sierra Entertainment such as King's Quest IV or LucasArts adventure games.
Powered by an Ali M6117 embedded processor with a 40 MHz 80386SX CPU core.
The Pocket 386 is a compact retro laptop.
Revisiting the Past: The Pocket 386 - A Compact Retro Laptop Powered by MS-DOS and Windows 3.x

In June 2024, a new retro computing device called the Pocket 386 was introduced to the market. This mini laptop, available for purchase on various online platforms such as AliExpress, is designed to bring back memories of the old MS-DOS and Windows 3.x era.

The Pocket 386 is powered by an Ali M6117 embedded processor with a 40 MHz 80386SX CPU core. It comes with either 4MB or 8MB of RAM, depending on the configuration chosen by the buyer. The laptop features a Yamaha OPL3 sound card and an optional VGA adapter for graphics output.

The device has a compact size, measuring approximately 210 x 120 x 30mm (8.3 inches x 4.7 inches x 1.2 inches), and includes a battery capacity of 4,000 mAh. It offers one USB port and external ports for PS/2, VGA, parallel, and serial connections.

The Pocket 386 can run MS-DOS and Windows 95 operating systems. Some popular software titles that can be used on this device include games from Sierra Entertainment such as King's Quest IV or LucasArts adventure games. The laptop also supports resolutions up to 800x480.

The Pocket 386 is not just a nostalgic piece of hardware; it offers a unique computing experience that stands out in today's world of powerful and feature-rich devices. Its retro design, combined with the ability to run classic software, makes it an attractive option for those who appreciate the history of personal computing.

Despite its small size and limited capabilities compared to modern laptops, the Pocket 386 is a testament to the enduring appeal of older technology. It serves as a reminder that even in an era dominated by advanced hardware and complex software, there is still value in revisiting the past.


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Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

You can buy a brand-new Windows 95 laptop in 2024, and it nails the retro look perfectly

XDA Developers Simon Batt Friday, 21 June 2024 14:25
  • Unique Points
    • It is available for purchase on AliExpress for $187.
    • It has a replaceable VGA card and supports resolutions up to 800x480.
  • Accuracy
    • The Pocket 386 is a retro laptop that can run Windows 3.11 or 95.
    • It is powered by a 40MHz 386 SX chip.
    • It has an OPL3 Yamaha sound card and comes with an integrated mouse.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

$200-ish laptop with a 386 and 8MB of RAM is a modern take on the Windows 3.1 era

Ars Technica Andrew Cunningham Friday, 21 June 2024 21:18
  • Unique Points
    • It has an Ali M6177 embedded processor with a 40 MHz 80386SX CPU core.
    • The system includes 8MB of RAM and offers three different replaceable VGA adapters: Cirrus Logic CL-GD542X, TVGA9000i, or CHIPS F655x5.
    • It features a Yamaha OPL3 sound card and an 800x480 IPS display panel.
    • The battery capacity is 4,000 mAh.
    • There’s a CompactFlash slot for storage and one USB port available.
    • The laptop includes external ports that can be attached to dongles for PS/2, VGA, parallel, and serial connections.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author is making a comparison between the Pocket 386 and systems from the Windows 3.1 era. This is an example of a Dichotomous Depiction fallacy as the author is oversimplifying and painting the Pocket 386 as if it's exactly like systems from that era, when in reality it has modern components that improve upon those older systems.
    • The result is the kind of IBM-compatible system that would have been common during the Windows 3.1 era
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Pocket 386 is a mini laptop for retro computing with support for DOS and Windows 95

Liliputing Brad Linder Thursday, 20 June 2024 19:47
  • Unique Points
    • It's designed for retro computing and can run MS-DOS and Windows 95.
    • The processor is an Ali M6117, a 40 MHz 386 SX compatible chip.
    • It has an OPL3 Yamaha sound card and comes with an integrated mouse.
    • It has a replaceable VGA card and supports resolutions up to 800x480.
    • The Pocket 386 measures 210 x 120 x 30mm (8.3 inches x 4.7 inches x 1.2 inches) and has a battery capacity of 4,000 mAh.
    • It includes USB Type-A and audio jack, parallel port, pins for PS/2 or VGA connector, and ISA connectors.
    • Customers can choose between two configurations: one with a black chassis and accessories including a PS/2 VGA connector, Lpt port connector, and 12 volt charger; the other with a transparent case and the same accessories plus a TTL-RS-232 Serial Adapter.
    • Liliputing’s revenue comes from advertising and affiliate links.
  • Accuracy
    • The laptop has an OPL3 Yamaha sound card and comes with an integrated mouse.
    • It is available for purchase on AliExpress for $187.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

These retro PC gaming laptops use the real hardware, and I want one

PCGamesN Ben Hardwidge Sunday, 23 June 2024 12:39
  • Unique Points
    • The article discusses new retro gaming laptops based on ancient PC hardware.
    • These laptops use real old-school x86 CPUs, VGA graphics cards, and genuine sound cards.
    • The Pocket 386 is based on a genuine 40MHz 386 SX CPU with an upgradeable VGA card, a CompactFlash card for storage, and a Yamaha OPL3 sound card.
    • The Pocket 8086 comes with an NEC V20 8086 CPU that can run at up to 10MHz and features a VGA graphics card, a Yamaha OPL3 sound card, and a 512MB CompactFlash card.
    • Retro gaming often involves emulators on small-board computers. The author prefers to use original hardware when possible.
  • Accuracy
    • The Pocket 386 has output sockets for various dongles, including USB, PS/2, serial port, parallel port, and VGA.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication