Retro fans, listen up. The incredible folks from 8086Yes! are back again. They are known for the BOOK 8088, Pocket 386, and Hand 386. This time they present the MSXBOOK, an 8-bit clamshell of pure nostalgia.
Say Goodbye to Emulators, Hello MSX2+
Forget about complicated emulators. The MSXBOOK is real hardware. It runs all the software written for the golden age of computing: classic little machines called MSX. This is not just any MSX; it is MSX2+ compatibility. Expect bigger and better graphics, and more sound.
This is not underpowered. It features a full-size backlit mechanical keyboard and a surprisingly sharp high-resolution display. Let's check the specifications.
Under the Hood: One Chip MSX (OCM)
Purists may notice something. The Zilog Z80 CPU is not exactly inside. Instead, it cleverly utilizes One Chip MSX (OCM). That's FPGA, cleverly set up to emulate the whole MSX2+ system. If you are not a die-hard hardware fanatic, you won't know the difference. It runs MSX software effectively.
For speed, you have a choice. Select the classic 5.37 MHz for an authentic retro experience or crank up to 78.06 MHz turbo mode for extra performance. Storage is a 4GB SD card and it has a cartridge slot. Prepare your MSX carts if you still have them.
Screen, Sound, and Ports Detail
The display is a recycled 9.7-inch iPad 2 screen – 1024 x 768 IPS LCD. It's crisp, bright, and perfect for the retro gamer and coder. Stereo speakers are included. The 4,000 mAh battery offers four hours of life.
Ports are plentiful:
- USB Type-C (Charging)
- 2× USB Type-A (Peripherals)
- VGA/CVBS/S-Video out (for CRT connection)
- 3.5mm Audio (Headphones or speakers)
- 2× DB9 Joystick ports (for classic joysticks)
- PS/2 Mouse port (for retro mouse experience)
Firmware: DIY Installation
Here's a detail. The MSXBOOK ships without pre-loaded firmware. You must obtain it yourself. For retro enthusiasts, this is part of the experience. 8086Yes! offers assistance if you need help loading it.
Availability and Price
The MSXBOOK is currently out of stock on Tindie; however, notifications are available. The price is approximately 195 dollars. This is a reasonable price for this portable piece of the past.
A Tempting Retro Device
If you yearn for the 8-bit gaming era, or want to explore MSX computing, the MSXBOOK is very tempting. Check Tindie for restock updates. You might get lucky and acquire one of these devices when they are available again.
