It may look like a netbook from 10 years ago, but the OneChipBook-12 from “8086YES!” is instead an Altera Cyclone EP1C12Q FPGA development platform with a VGA display (LCD form iPad 2), a PS/2 QWERTY mechanical keyboard, a battery, and a few ports.
While the OneChipBook-12 is sold as a blank FPGA development platform “with no predefined functionalities”, the hardware is similar to One Chip MSX (1chipMSX), Zemmix Neo, and uMSX systems, which are modern MSX2+ clones, and that’s the main reason people are purchasing the device.
OneChipBook-12 specifications:
- FPGA Altera Cyclone EP1C12Q240 (from the obsolete Cyclone I family)
- 12,060 LEs
- 239,616 bits RAM
- System Memory – 32MB SDRAM
- Storage – SD card slot (FAT16 file system supported)
- Display – 1024×768 VGA display
- Video Output – VGA, S-Video, and CVBS Output interface
- Audio – Stereo speakers, audio output jack (8), volume control knob (9)
- USB – USB Type-A port
- User Input
- Mechanical keyboard (PS/2) with Backlight; Note two QWERTY layouts are offered: one with F1-F12 (Layout A), the other with F1-F5, GRAPH, KANA, SELECT, PSG, SCC, FM (Layout B), and a few other differences.
- PS/2 port
- 2x DB9 ports (2) and (3) for joysticks
- Expansion
- 50-pin external expansion slot (4) for cartridges
- Input/output window with built-in expansion slot (13)
- Misc
- Firmware download port (1)
- DIP switch for configuration (11)
- Power Supply
- 5V/2A USB Type-C charging port
- Lithium battery
- Dimensions – 25 x 19 x 3.8cm (when closed)
The OneChipBook-12 ships with a USB Type-C cable and a USB Blaster to flash the firmware. The PDF documentation provides more details about the hardware and some vague instructions/pointers explaning how to flash the firmware.
But there are no instructions about installing MSX firmware, likely for legal reasons. People on Tindie mentioned that it was previously called the MXSBook, but the company probably had to change the name and make sure they did not use the “MSX” trademark on the product and documentation. The company also used to provide support, but they don’t/can’t anymore. This page in Japanese explains in more detail how to flash firmware to the OneChipBook-12.
8086YES! sells the OneChipBook-12 on Tindie for $215 plus shipping, but you can also find it on AliExpress for about $235 including shipping.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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If it’s meant to be an MSX-like, I strongly doubt the two DB9 are serial ports. On my MSX, there were two DB9 for joysticks. And where they’re located totally makes sense to connect a pair of joysticks.
Thanks. I’ve removed the serial section, and moved the DB9 connectors to “user input”.
The MSX trademark and copyright of the BIOS and DOS is still valid and is held by a single man in Japan, Kazuhiko Nishi, via his MSX Licensing Corp. He’s quite zealous about protecting it, but is also very friendly with the community (hence why the original 1chipMSX could call itself that, among many other international ‘doujin’ products). The 8086YES! corp is based in China and was behind the real hardware 8086 and 386 laptops that came out in the last few years. Apparently they weren’t aware of the trademark and last I heard they reached out to Mr. Nishi. Until they hear back, they’re just going to sell it bare.
The special keys and rear 50-pin slot are for MSX compatibility.
I have one of these! It’s quite well-made, my only gripe is that the small, flat, closely-spaced keyboard keys are a pain to type on.