• Please review our updated Terms and Rules here

Looking for my first vintage machine

S

SeaHawk8802

New Member
Joined
May 17, 2026
Messages
6
I've been mulling over purchasing a legitimate copy of ArcaOS, the updated version of IBM/Microsoft OS/2, and I really don't want to emulate an older machine with VirtualBox. I'd much rather run it on actual hardware. Below are my desired specifications.

Possibly an early IBM or other portable machine.
I'd much rather have a solid state device for the C drive, like a compact flash to IDE adapter.
Minimum of 1 GB of RAM.

The system requires at least 340x480 resolution with 256 colors.

My genuine desire is a portable machine with either 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768, if at all
possible.
 
Possibly an early IBM or other portable machine.
Click to expand...
So a Thinkpad. The 300 or 700 series were relatively common.

I'd much rather have a solid state device for the C drive, like a compact flash to IDE adapter.
Click to expand...
So something like a Kingspec IDE SSD or something. That will work but with the earlier thinkpads above you usually run into issues on drives larger than 8gb.

Minimum of 1 GB of RAM
Click to expand...
That throws a wrench in things because that's a LOT of ram. Now your starting point is the late PIII through the Pentium Mobile/Core Solo era.

The system requires at least 340x480 resolution with 256 colors.
Click to expand...
With the above ram requirement, I can assure you any laptop you can think of will support that.

A T60 might do it but the Thinkpad has developed a weird cult following and I think the value of the T60 went stupid after they started building updated and modern logic boards to fit that computer. Either way, there's a starting point for you.
 
The reason I'm after this machine is that I'm trying to grab a ligament copy of ArcaOS, which is the modern equivalent to Microsoft/IBM OS/2. Despite ArcaOS being able to address 4 GB of ram I'd rather use 1 or two as this is my first time using OS/2 and I really don't want to mess around with dual - booting OS/2 with Windows 11 Professional on a modern machine.

This is because, as per the ArcaOS (Arca Noae) website, it clearly states that although ArchaOS supports 64-bit CPUs, it will run in 32-bit mode. So, in order to avoid this problem, I'd rather use a 32-bit architecture-based machine.
 
I would think that "any" laptop from the correct era would work as long as all it's relevant hardware is supported by the OS.
I.E. ignore for example lack of drivers for built in dial up modems and such, but absolutely make sure you have drivers for the graphics hardware.
The Thinkpads are mostly known for being rock solid mechanically. I.E. unlike many other laptop you won't run into broken lid hinges and whatnot after loads of use. And of course the pointer thing. Otherwise the performance and whatnot are similar to other laptops. I.E. the display sucks as compared to newer laptops, or Apple laptops or netbooks. (Yes, the conspiracy to prolong the life of the CRT production did somehow not affect Apple laptops, and for obvious reasons the smaller screens intended for portable DVD players would have to be good enough to sell these players, and it must had been those displays that were used by the early netbooks. Like a 2009 EeePC has a way way way better display quality (albeit smaller screen and lower resolution) than a 2012 Thinkpad).
So in other words if you plan on just having the laptop on your desk and not carry it around, and not open/close it that often, most laptops would probably be fine.
Also: unless a laptop has had the charger connected often enough the battery is likely dead.

Also: Sorry if I'm both Captain Obvious and Debbie Downer here, but I would strongly recommend that you try out using for example VirtualBox with the versions of OS/2 that you can find online to get a feel of if you would enjoy using it or not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top