LGR - Pixel x86 Retro Mini PCs
Added 2025-01-04 17:06:53 +0000 UTCHappy 2025!
And the first LGR video this year is a review of two nifty little retro Windows 98 computers from Pixel x86: the DX and the Mini. Very much inspired by projects like the WeeCee I've covered before, these two systems make use of Vortex86 SoCs and aim to provide an authentic late 90s PC experience in a tiny package with no emulation and newer hardware.
It's a pretty straightforward video but I hope you enjoy the coverage of these things and lemme know any thoughts! I'll be curious to see what the community response is in general, especially since they cost between $400-500 each.
The next Wrap Up will be coming soon for $5+ supporters, and the next LGR thing is in the works so stay tuned — and thank you for your support!
Comments
Cool shit. Just too expensive. Plus I'd rather use old hardware. Good to see something like this that isn't emulation tho.
Brent K
2025-03-02 17:06:24 +0000 UTCIs there anything like this, but for monitors? I can’t fit a full size CRT on my desk, so a small monitor that looks like a CRT without taking up all the space would be amazing. Having a mini retro PC and some sort of mini CRT to emulate my childhood 486 would just be amazing.
Raven Axiom
2025-01-08 04:12:58 +0000 UTC+1 on this, would be great to get an updated take on modern retro options
Raven Axiom
2025-01-08 04:09:03 +0000 UTCThing is, i can get similar performance from a RPi500 for a fraction of the price. The older RPi400/RPi4 could run a mid range 486 just fine but with the RPi5 and it being able to run a frigging PS2 i expect something along the lines of K6-133 performance if not more. Not so much with 86Box tough as that emulator is a tad bit more complex, Dosbox(-X) is cheating a bit with its emulation.
BastetFurry
2025-01-06 18:14:20 +0000 UTCHm well, than it´s maybe a really slow card-reader or the hardware itself is too limited. Maybe it´s not even a real flaw since this hardware was designed for industrial use and not with gaming in mind.
Udo Krawallo
2025-01-06 17:34:26 +0000 UTCthe price is an absolute nogo. I find local PCs noticeably from Germany for under 100€, complete towers, sometimes with keyb and mouse. Bought over 6 towers like this, some even had voodoo cards in. Plus theres so many inconveniences, i stop here as it will be a wall of text ^^
Tom Schaack
2025-01-06 08:33:03 +0000 UTCtheres not even any real configuring to do besides opting for a cheaper case.. pretty much everything else is an essential part of the product, and required. Its like buying a car, and having to select the "optional" extras of tires, seats, engine, body panels, etc.
Honorary Octopus
2025-01-06 01:58:58 +0000 UTCTechDweeb would approve Clint!
Tom Anderson
2025-01-05 23:17:29 +0000 UTCTrue, there's a lot that has changed in the scene since
LGR
2025-01-05 22:30:04 +0000 UTCYeah it should probably say "from 249 €". Apparently the motherboard itself is indeed 89, but that's a bit misleading. Just sent them a message saying I think it should be changed. I also don't think it's the SD card, as I've tried faster cards from different name brands and none are any quicker. As mentioned in the vid I also had the same issue with the WeeCee using the same hardware. It really seems like an issue with the Vortex86 bus and I/O capabilities, kind of a fatal flaw... which sure doesn't help as a selling point, heh
LGR
2025-01-05 19:57:58 +0000 UTCThat seems like a mistake, since "from 89 €" is copy/pasted directly from their listing for the metal case on its own. It should probably say "from 249 €"... I sent them a message saying I think it should be changed, but yeah, it still adds to that slight sketchy feeling when combined with all the other concerns.
LGR
2025-01-05 19:49:15 +0000 UTCOk, these things look nice - but as others already said, the pricing is a bit off and they should stop this borderline false advertising. It´s not that you get a full PC for 89 bucks. Also, why such a slow SD card? For 19 € I can already get a decent one from Sandisk or Samsung, not this el cheapo stuff. So, thanks, but no thanks, I think I rather stick to DosBox.
Udo Krawallo
2025-01-05 18:49:37 +0000 UTCAh come on, they are so generous and include a PS2 splitter for free. *sarcasm* Yes, you are right, I checked it out and they really should drop this "from 89 €", I mean, who owns the internal stuff already? And I guess the SD card is one of the cheapest models around. Nice idea, but the pice is a real turn off indeed.
Udo Krawallo
2025-01-05 18:47:25 +0000 UTCThese are neat, and your video is great, but the pixelx86 website immediately turns me off. advertises the price as "from 89€".. but as soon as you get to the "configure" page, the price jumps to almost 500€, because the first pages pricing doesnt include all the mandatory stuff you have to have (like the motherboard, or a copy with win95 with the drivers..which basically is charging 20€ for a driver disk) to actually use it. Which is the kind of sketchy stuff I expect from dell and NZXT, which seriously puts me off.
Honorary Octopus
2025-01-05 17:51:18 +0000 UTCFirst thing I thought while watching you removing the cases was that I'm SO thankful you aren't shilling for LTTs hugely overpriced screwdriver garbage. Thank you so much lol. That aside, I found these things VERY interesting! Loving the content! "I have a sudden urge to hunt some ducks" produced audible laughter because that's the same thought I had.
Nachts
2025-01-05 09:06:14 +0000 UTCNo telling where it'll twirl into view next!
LGR
2025-01-05 03:31:30 +0000 UTCThe "playing with fire" is deeper than that. LGR pointed out that it was "unfriendly" not to give credit for inspiration but that "inspiration" (especially on the ITX revisions) run right up alongside direct copy of open-source work and sales for profit without acknowledgement.
Michael A Berry
2025-01-05 01:55:52 +0000 UTCYou know with all the recent options appearing, maybe you should do an update to this video of yours https://youtu.be/9CgisEFObjA?si=iA6vlitjbgYGuaMm
Dustin Matteson
2025-01-05 01:13:02 +0000 UTCFYI - check spelling of performance at 3:57. Those weird size hex screws are probably 2mm. I hope the house is making progress. Happy New Year!
CharlieVictor
2025-01-04 23:47:29 +0000 UTCGood video! I would love to see a comparison with the MiSTer project running a 486 - something like ao486. At this size (and to some degree, price) they are competitors. No 3dfx makes this a no for me but hopefully the next generation will hit that sweet spot of being able to run the things that don’t emulate well.
Peter Curd
2025-01-04 20:56:19 +0000 UTCYou definitely can but that'll be older and more prone to failure, will take up more space, will likely need continued maintenance and repair to keep it going, and all the other drawbacks listed at the start of the video. These Vortex86 things are really just for folks who don't want to deal with any of that. And/or those with more money than sense :)
LGR
2025-01-04 20:34:23 +0000 UTCThe Vortex86* SoMs don't have a traditional ISA bus that can be broken out. It's more like an LPC header with a single DMA channel and that is usually taken up by the Crystal sound chip due to its unique ability to work in such a limited capacity.
Michael A Berry
2025-01-04 20:24:15 +0000 UTCEven if the price was affordable, went to their website and saw several clearly AI-generated pictures used for art. Small team or not, I'm not supporting that
AtomicPurple64
2025-01-04 20:09:28 +0000 UTCFor that price I would think you could get yourself some decent vintage gear with a CRT... (maybe, the CRT).
Daniel Cayea
2025-01-04 20:04:50 +0000 UTCNice to see a TWIR mug in the wild!
Gavin Haslehurst
2025-01-04 20:04:02 +0000 UTCBeing born in the early 90's and having grown up in a family that didn't upgrade to Windows XP until 2005 I would want one with an optical CD drive and a Pentium IV equivalent CPU to run Windows 98 SE so I can play The Sims and Rollercoaster Tycoon. ;)
Niels Poldervaart
2025-01-04 19:15:12 +0000 UTCFor sure, something like that little Unisys is a good comparison to what folks seem to be aiming for with the ITX board projects.
LGR
2025-01-04 18:59:46 +0000 UTCI can see potential for a product that has Windows 98 (SE) optimized hardware in a small ITX (or similar) case. Because yes you do raise a good point that one of the big downsides of this hobby is how gigantic most of the PC cases of the era tend to be. But that doesn't mean that the case should be tiny with compromised options for expansion and modification. My mind goes to something that looks like the Unisys CD-4002. So I'm quite curious about these ITX boards being developed.
Niels Poldervaart
2025-01-04 18:55:48 +0000 UTCThere isn't an interface available to break out the ISA bus into a usable slot here. That's something done on these things though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bODiZ5bP84
LGR
2025-01-04 18:54:34 +0000 UTCCan you get at the ISA bus on either of them ? I have as many old soundcards as Clint has MIDI modules but very few suitable computers to use them with.
Duncan
2025-01-04 18:52:31 +0000 UTCYeeaaah it’s tough to justify from a value perspective. More of a luxury item than anything frugal.
LGR
2025-01-04 18:25:11 +0000 UTCDefinitely seems to be playing with fire. And an easily avoided one at that.
LGR
2025-01-04 18:21:55 +0000 UTCI'm glad I wasn't sipping a drink when I read the price or I'd doing a spit take
Nathan (PixelPipes)
2025-01-04 17:59:14 +0000 UTCInteresting little machines - a little earlier spec wise than my preference personally though... But if I ever end up needing to replace my current vintage rig, it'll be one to keep in mind. Agreed that some of the practices seem a little dodgy. I'd worry about it being a general disregard for intellectual property rights, which... Yeah, could cause some problems in the future.
James Cheese
2025-01-04 17:53:13 +0000 UTCGlad you’ve been enjoying those, I’d love to make more when I can! Unfortunately travel isn’t really feasible right now since I’m dealing with getting my home rebuilt after the hurricane. Time and funds are going towards that for a while. Hopefully later this year :)
LGR
2025-01-04 17:39:55 +0000 UTCDude, the ol lady n I have been rewatching your "travel vlogs" would love more of those with u n your brother.... doesn't have to be tech related
Jefferson
2025-01-04 17:28:47 +0000 UTC
