Transparent Retro Handhelds Emerge from China with Modular VGA and Open Schematics
A new range of transparent DOS handhelds, the Pocket8086 and Pocket386, has launched with modular VGA cards and open schematics. The devices feature OPL3 audio, IPS displays, and ISA expansion capabilities.
A new wave of portable DOS computers has surfaced, offering 386SX and 8086 specifications in a unified, translucent chassis with swappable graphics modules.
The niche market for modernised DOS hardware has expanded with the release of two new handheld units from the Chinese design house 8086YES!. Reported by CNX Software, these devices, dubbed the Pocket8086 and the updated Pocket386, consolidate the previous generation of "Book8088" and "Hand386" concepts into a shared, transparent form factor.
Modular Architecture
Unlike their predecessors, which were distinct disparate designs, these new units utilise a common shell and modular internal architecture. The most notable feature is the removable proprietary graphics card. While reports vary on the specific silicon, with Hackaday citing a Tseng Labs ET4000 and product listings specifying a Trident TVGA9000i, the modular nature suggests a degree of upgradeability or component swapping previously unseen in this form factor.
Specifications and Features
The Pocket8086 is built around the 16-bit 8086 architecture (compatible with the NEC V20/V30), running at clock speeds between 4.77 MHz and 10 MHz. It ships with 768 KB of RAM and an OPL3-compatible sound chip (YMF262), making it a capable machine for early DOS gaming.
The Pocket386 variant offers significantly more power with a 386SX processor, suitable for Windows 3.1 and late-era DOS titles. Both units feature:
- Display: A built-in IPS LCD with switchable 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
- Storage: CompactFlash (CF) interface for the primary drive.
- Connectivity: A USB port that emulates a floppy drive for file transfer, and a dedicated expansion port.
- Power: A 4,000 mAh LiPo battery.
Open Hardware Approach
In a departure from the typically closed nature of grey-market electronics, the creator has released schematics and BIOS files for the Pocket8086. This transparency addresses previous criticisms regarding the "black box" nature of earlier Chinese retro-handhelds and allows the enthusiast community to diagnose, repair, or modify the hardware.
The devices connect to an optional external dock to provide full 8-bit ISA slot compatibility, enabling the use of vintage expansion cards.
