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Pico's Integrated Computing Device

Emulating older computers is a common practice, with numerous projects in the pipeline. These often involve inexpensive microcontrollers, used to mimic or recreate classic home computers or gaming platforms.

Pico's Integrated Computer Hardware
Pico's Integrated Computer Hardware

Pico's Integrated Computing Device

The Pico-286 emulator is an innovative tool that brings back memories of a specific model of personal computer, the 286 PC. It's an example of emulating productivity machines from years past, serving not just as a nostalgic trip but also as a means to relive old productivity tools.

Initially designed for entertainment, the Pico-286 emulator was conceived to run on the Raspberry Pi Pico, a type of microcontroller. This emulator is no longer confined to the realm of entertainment, however, as it has the potential to emulate productivity machines from the past.

The Pico-286 emulator is designed to emulate a 286 PC, a type of personal computer, in a way that is both accurate and efficient. It supports a range of retro peripherals, including a PS/2 keyboard and mouse, and can drive either a VGA or an HDMI monitor. What's more, it offers sound and video card emulations, making it suitable for playing DOS games as well as running old productivity software.

Ilya Maslennikov, the creator of the Pico-286 emulator, developed the pico-286 project that emulates an Intel 286 CPU with retro peripherals and video/sound support. By 2025, this emulator could potentially function as a productivity PC in a handheld size.

In addition to the Pico-286 emulator, there are open-source DOS options available in 2025, such as FreeDOS, which provides a powerful and free alternative to the original MS-DOS.

Emulating older computers, including productivity machines, is becoming more common as microcontrollers become faster. The Pico-286 emulator is just one example of this trend, offering a unique blend of nostalgia and functionality for those who remember the 286 PC era and those who are curious to explore it.

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