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I really wish there was a modern "computer console" like the Commodore 64 or Sinclair Spectrum of old, where you could boot straight into a programming environm

I really wish there was a modern "computer console" like the Commodore 64 or Sinclair Spectrum of old, where you could boot straight into a programming environment. Something comparable to the Nintendo SNES or DS's hardware capabilities, which seemed like the perfect sweet spot between artistic freedom and "helpful" limitations which actually improved creativity by lowering complexity.

robxorb 2y ago
You might enjoy the Pimoroni PicoSystem, or its HDMI bro, the PicoVision: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picosystem?variant=32369546985555 https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picosystem?variant=323695... https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picovision?variant=41048911904851 https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picovision?variant=410489... (Not affiliated nor trying to sell it, the shop is just the best link for information.) EDIT: Also it's not quite boot into IDE, but the vibe of both is similar in every other way.
ramses0 2y ago
Also take a look at Circuit Playground Express. https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-made-easy-on-circuit-playground-express?view=all#red-led https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-made-easy-on-circui... It's a "computer" that boots straight to your program. MicroPython (I even did it with TinyGo), and you can make lights blink! But seriously... there's some very interesting stuff with it, and you can also add on another chip that lets you rock and roll with motors, speakers, etc. https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093
keyle 2y ago
One could argue the opposite. There are countless 'computer console' available at various low price ranges. The closest thing today is RaspberryPI, and boot to a linux in text mode, you're basically there. What is more difficult to find is the combo hardware/software, but the Pi 400 includes keyboard and a mouse comes with as a kit. Just like in the old days, find a (~TV) cheap LCD monitor and plug and play. And you have hundreds of games for free, thousands possibly with emulators etc. And you can program in virtually every languages on the planet. If anything, what you have now paralysis by choice. There is just too much you can do with a basic computers, so you wind up on youtube and social medias instead of being bored with 1 compiler and 1 book. ref: I grew up on ZX Spectrum+! :)
- asyx 2y ago
  And you have the option to branch off into any other kind of development. A C64 Style clone is mostly nostalgia. A raspberry pi is presenting you (or your children) with dozens of ways to learn employable skills project based and in a fun way.
shakna 2y ago
Picotron [0] is looking like that. I am watching that project closely right now. [0] https://www.lexaloffle.com/picotron.php https://www.lexaloffle.com/picotron.php
- networked 2y ago
  There are other fantasy computers, too. Check out https://github.com/paladin-t/fantasy https://github.com/paladin-t/fantasy. An open issue [1] makes a point that MMIXX [2], which adds graphics to Knuth's MMIX, is a fantasy computer. [1] https://github.com/paladin-t/fantasy/issues/109 https://github.com/paladin-t/fantasy/issues/109 [2] https://www.malgil.com/mmix/graphics/ https://www.malgil.com/mmix/graphics/
Hackbraten 2y ago
You might like the Commander X16. [1] [1]: https://www.commanderx16.com/ https://www.commanderx16.com/
- Gormo 2y ago
  Also the Foenix C256: https://c256foenix.com/ https://c256foenix.com/ These kinds of projects are becoming more and more common in retrocomputing circles.
exitb 2y ago
This might be a bit more complex. We like to remember that we were creative in C64 BASIC, but it is really too slow for any sprite-based game development. What's different between then and now is that changing the frame color used to be an event you told all friends about. An intersection of simple and impressive - I feel like Raspberry Pi Pico and the likes embody this spirit nowadays.
pindab0ter 2y ago
Not quite what you meant, but close enough for a mention: The Playdate. It's a platform specifically made for games (as opposed to a Raspberry Pi for example), has a library of great games and is ostensibly easy to develop for.
phasel0ck 2y ago
check out the Mega65: https://www.mega65.org https://www.mega65.org
b800h 2y ago
The ZX Spectrum Next is exactly this.

robxorb 2y ago

You might enjoy the Pimoroni PicoSystem, or its HDMI bro, the PicoVision: https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picosystem?variant=32369546985555 https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picosystem?variant=323695... https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picovision?variant=41048911904851 https://shop.pimoroni.com/products/picovision?variant=410489... (Not affiliated nor trying to sell it, the shop is just the best link for information.) EDIT: Also it's not quite boot into IDE, but the vibe of both is similar in every other way.

ramses0 2y ago

Also take a look at Circuit Playground Express. https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-made-easy-on-circuit-playground-express?view=all#red-led https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-made-easy-on-circui... It's a "computer" that boots straight to your program. MicroPython (I even did it with TinyGo), and you can make lights blink! But seriously... there's some very interesting stuff with it, and you can also add on another chip that lets you rock and roll with motors, speakers, etc. https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093 https://www.adafruit.com/product/3093

keyle 2y ago

One could argue the opposite. There are countless 'computer console' available at various low price ranges. The closest thing today is RaspberryPI, and boot to a linux in text mode, you're basically there. What is more difficult to find is the combo hardware/software, but the Pi 400 includes keyboard and a mouse comes with as a kit. Just like in the old days, find a (~TV) cheap LCD monitor and plug and play. And you have hundreds of games for free, thousands possibly with emulators etc. And you can program in virtually every languages on the planet. If anything, what you have now paralysis by choice. There is just too much you can do with a basic computers, so you wind up on youtube and social medias instead of being bored with 1 compiler and 1 book. ref: I grew up on ZX Spectrum+! :)

asyx 2y ago
And you have the option to branch off into any other kind of development. A C64 Style clone is mostly nostalgia. A raspberry pi is presenting you (or your children) with dozens of ways to learn employable skills project based and in a fun way.

shakna 2y ago

Picotron [0] is looking like that. I am watching that project closely right now. [0] https://www.lexaloffle.com/picotron.php https://www.lexaloffle.com/picotron.php

networked 2y ago
There are other fantasy computers, too. Check out https://github.com/paladin-t/fantasy https://github.com/paladin-t/fantasy. An open issue [1] makes a point that MMIXX [2], which adds graphics to Knuth's MMIX, is a fantasy computer. [1] https://github.com/paladin-t/fantasy/issues/109 https://github.com/paladin-t/fantasy/issues/109 [2] https://www.malgil.com/mmix/graphics/ https://www.malgil.com/mmix/graphics/

Hackbraten 2y ago

You might like the Commander X16. [1] [1]: https://www.commanderx16.com/ https://www.commanderx16.com/

Gormo 2y ago
Also the Foenix C256: https://c256foenix.com/ https://c256foenix.com/ These kinds of projects are becoming more and more common in retrocomputing circles.

exitb 2y ago

This might be a bit more complex. We like to remember that we were creative in C64 BASIC, but it is really too slow for any sprite-based game development. What's different between then and now is that changing the frame color used to be an event you told all friends about. An intersection of simple and impressive - I feel like Raspberry Pi Pico and the likes embody this spirit nowadays.

pindab0ter 2y ago

Not quite what you meant, but close enough for a mention: The Playdate. It's a platform specifically made for games (as opposed to a Raspberry Pi for example), has a library of great games and is ostensibly easy to develop for.

phasel0ck 2y ago

check out the Mega65: https://www.mega65.org https://www.mega65.org

b800h 2y ago

The ZX Spectrum Next is exactly this.