A Unique, High-Tech (family) Computer
Posted4 months agoActive4 months ago
nicole.expressTechstory
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Retro ComputingEducational TechnologyBootleg Hardware
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Retro Computing
Educational Technology
Bootleg Hardware
The article discusses a unique, high-tech family computer from the past, sparking discussion about its origins, educational value, and regional variations.
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Sep 1, 2025 at 12:13 PM EDT
4 months ago
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But it looked very similar... I'm guessing some of the old fab equipment was completely depreciated and picked up for a song and stuffed in the corner of someone's warehouse and was cranking out 6502 clones by the thousand.
I remember some of the limitations: zero networking (not even RS232), no mass storage (not even a cassette port), 8-bit sound (no voice samples for language lessons) and something like a 252x240 screen resolution.
I've often wondered how (in)expensive you could make something with a better built-in screen, the ability to play VP9/AV1 video and opus samples and Bluetooth to connect to mouse / keyboard and PC as a net and storage device.
I’ve been doing this, and the answer if you have a 3d printer is $10 US(pi zero 2 w) + the cost of whatever display you want to use. This won’t do AV1 but it’s good enough for my use cases. I’m slightly cheating on the cost as I have plethora of LiPo batteries in reserve.
Hardware wise that sounds a lot like basic tablet, which sell around $100 price point. On the other hand, Raspberry Pi 400 costs $80.
I didn't mention anything about software... Raspbian is a passable spin of Leenucks, but not really what I was thinking about for an "educational" or "casual" computer. But that's a completely different day-dream.