Hand 386 Delivers A "True 386 Processor" in a Handheld

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Nintendo 2DS form factor device runs at 40 MHz, includes 8MB RAM, and has 1GB CF card storage.

Retro PC gaming portable
(Image credit: AliExpress)

Gaming PC handhelds are on trend in 2023, but we have just spotted a somewhat niche device tailored to deliver gaming delights to PC DOS / Windows retro gamers. Primarily targeting DOS and early Windows games, the new Hand 386 ticks a lot of boxes for ancient PC gaming on the go. Highlights among the specs of this Nintendo 2DS form factor device include a "true 386 processor core" running at 40 MHz, 8GB of RAM, 1GB of storage, and a built-in screen, keyboard, and battery.

(Image credit: AliExpress)
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Mark Tyson
Mark Tyson
News Editor

Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.

28 Comments Comment from the forums
  • evdjj3j
    Some of the dumbest products I've seen in a while. Why not at least a 486DX? That 386SuX is going to be good for Wolfenstein but forget Doom at any reasonable quality. I also just noticed that the 8088 comes with CGA, wtf it should have at least EGA if not VGA.
    Reply
  • ChrisLaarman
    Amdlova said:
    Mark "device has 8gb ram " its right?
    He said "8 MB RAM". :)
    Reply
  • ChrisLaarman
    evdjj3j said:
    Some of the dumbest products I've seen in a while. Why not at least a 486DX? That 386SuX is going to be good for Wolfenstein but forget Doom at any reasonable quality. I also just noticed that the 8088 comes with CGA, wtf it should have at least EGA if not VGA.
    From my then experience with MIDI sequencing, the clock signal of a 486DX may prove unworkable.
    Reply
  • Amdlova
    ChrisLaarman said:
    On the specs have mismatch information have changed the information
    Reply
  • evdjj3j
    ChrisLaarman said:
    From my then experience with MIDI sequencing, the clock signal of a 486DX may prove unworkable.
    What do you mean? There are plenty of 486s faster than 40Mhz that can handle MIDI.
    Reply
  • ChrisLaarman
    evdjj3j said:
    What do you mean? There are plenty of 486s faster than 40Mhz that can handle MIDI.
    Let me put it this way: I have Dynaware's sequencer (and more) DynaDuet (1988, DOS, VGA, mouse). I couldn't run it on my later hardware (as I remember it: starting with my 33MHz 486DX), but a later emulator (DOSBox, I think) made it possible again to access my 1990 songs. (DynaDuet pre-dates Standard MIDI Files.) - At some time I found out, that a difference in clock signal was the culprit.)
    Reply
  • Sluggotg
    ChrisLaarman said:
    Let me put it this way: I have Dynaware's sequencer (and more) DynaDuet (1988, DOS, VGA, mouse). I couldn't run it on my later hardware (as I remember it: starting with my 33MHz 486DX), but a later emulator (DOSBox, I think) made it possible again to access my 1990 songs. (DynaDuet pre-dates Standard MIDI Files.) - At some time I found out, that a difference in clock signal was the culprit.)
    I don't believe this product is Aimed at people who want to do MIDI Sequencing from 1988. It is clearly designed for DOS/Windows gaming. I like the idea but a 386 is too weak. Also, I may have missed it but does it have an HDMI output. Can it use USB Keyboards and Mice? Also I am not a fan of AliExpress.
    Reply
  • ChrisLaarman
    Sluggotg said:
    I don't believe this product is Aimed at people who want to do MIDI Sequencing from 1988. It is clearly designed for DOS/Windows gaming. I like the idea but a 386 is too weak. Also, I may have missed it but does it have an HDMI output. Can it use USB Keyboards and Mice? Also I am not a fan of AliExpress.
    Nor do I, now that I have a working emulator. I mentioned the sequencing only to explain why a 486DX might /not/ be a better choice than a 386SX.

    USB didn't come to the PC until Windows 98. I had a system custom-built back then, and the vendor was very enthusiastic. HDMI came even later. My 2007 notebook (with TV in, and a remote control) features it.

    Me, I happen to be a returning customer at AliExpress. However, the fun keeps decreasing. (Note that I'm in the EU, which may well shape my experiences and views.)
    Reply
  • Ahhhh.... I love these trips down memory lane.

    VsE0BwQ3l8UView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsE0BwQ3l8U

    I never used the 386 though... or the 286... or 486. In those days I was using the Commodore Amiga 500... I didn't get my first Windows machine till the Pentium 75 in 1997.
    Reply
  • evdjj3j
    ChrisLaarman said:
    Let me put it this way: I have Dynaware's sequencer (and more) DynaDuet (1988, DOS, VGA, mouse). I couldn't run it on my later hardware (as I remember it: starting with my 33MHz 486DX), but a later emulator (DOSBox, I think) made it possible again to access my 1990 songs. (DynaDuet pre-dates Standard MIDI Files.) - At some time I found out, that a difference in clock signal was the culprit.)
    So you'e talking about a non standard MIDI device, correct?
    Reply