Msxbook: New laptop for retroheads supports cartridges and features upcycled iPad 2 screen

The laptop market is huge, and there appears to be quite a number of vintage tech enthusiasts. It should thus come as no surprise that you can now find laptops catering to this audience. The company behind Pocket 386 has released the Msxbook, a new retro laptop compatible with the MSX2+ standard. Whilst it may not be well-known everywhere, the MSX(2) architecture is an open standard for 8-bit home computing that was popular in regions such as Japan.

The Msxbook features a 9.7-inch screen with a resolution of 1,024 x 768. Rather than being made specifically for the Msxbook, this display is upcycled from an iPad 2. In terms of input devices, the laptop is equipped with a mechanical keyboard but lacks a touchpad, though users can still plug a mouse into the computer. For audio playback, the Msxbook offers two speakers as well as a 3.5 mm audio jack for external audio devices.

Powered by an Altera Cyclone FPGA chip, the Msxbook boasts a cartridge slot, effectively allowing you to install expansion boards. It also comes with two DB9 connectors for joysticks, a VGA port for video output, a USB-A interface, and a USB-C port, which can be used for charging the built-in 4,000 mAh battery capable of providing four hours of use. The Msxbook is listed on Tindie for $195 but is currently out of stock.