Retro Computing - The Amstrad ALT 386 SX16

In this video, I take a look at one of the prize items of my collection. a 1988 Amstrad ALT 386SX16 laptop. We strip the laptop down, examine the hardware, then rebuild the laptop.

The ALT386 was released in January of 1988. A lesser version, the ALT286, was also available.

My unit has been somewhat upgraded, and comes with the following :-

- 4MB RAM (30 PIN SIMMS)
- a 387 Maths co-processor!)
- An ISA modem, now replace with an ISA 10BaseT LAN card
- 170MB IDE Hard drive, up from the original 40MB.

The ALT has the accolade of being one of the first of a truly portable breed of laptops/luggable computers.

This unit would make a viable, small form factor desktop, and is certainly a powerful machine for the time, yet affordable, too.