Well, electronics-oriented owners have built “next” systems even back in the '80s (and '90s) (and '00s): overclocked (non video signal related parts), added mem

Well, electronics-oriented owners have built “next” systems even back in the '80s (and '90s) (and '00s): overclocked (non video signal related parts), added memory (in a dozen of more or less incompatible ways), added expansion boards with a lot more powerful hardware, etc. Usually, the more someone was into it, the more unique their configuration was. So it continues to this day. At the same time, anyone can actually go the pure retro way, and spend a couple of days soldering the period-correct home computer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rWCYo1UcOQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rWCYo1UcOQ