Life & fun · alternatives · 2026
24 alternatives to My First Computer, Byte Edition v3.0
Re-build a retro computer with Lego®
Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. My First Computer, Byte Edition v3.0 launched in 2017; newer entries below may have overtaken it.
- 1AR
Software and hardware projects for fun from a guy who loves retro computing
2019 · internalregister.github.io · its alternatives →
- 2
A while ago I was looking for information on a obscure and short lived British computer. I found an article[1] in the archives of BYTE magazine[2] - and was captivated immediately by the tech adverts of bygone eras. This led to a long side project to be able to see all 100k pages of BYTE in a single searchable place. [1]: https://byte.tsundoku.io/#198502-381 [2]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17683184
2025 · byte.tsundoku.io · its alternatives →
- 3
Brick 1100▲215Transform your smartphone into a classic brick phone
2025 · visnalize.com · its alternatives →
- 4
Classicbot▲121A desktop toy for those with a passion for classic computers
2017 · classicbot.com · its alternatives →
- 5
CHIP▲250The world's first nine dollar computer (pre-launch)
2015 · kickstarter.com · its alternatives →
- 6
Finally got my hobby OS up and running on real hardware. I love the old IBM thinkpads, so thought it was the perfect machine to get it working on. Been working on it for quite some time now, but this has been a big milestone!
2025 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 7
- 8
TIC-80▲69Create and play games for a retro fantasy computer
2017 · apps.microsoft.com · its alternatives →
- 9
Stylish and nostalgic graphics for design projects
2022 · retro.wannathis.one · its alternatives →
- 10
- 11NP
Since it appears to be retrocomputing day on HN, I thought I'd post my pet project. It's a collection of modern peripherals for retrocomputers. I started collecting a list of upgrades for my ideal dream Mac SE/30 and grew from there. The site is currently mostly focused on Apple II and Mac stuff since that's what I grew up with.
Aug 2026 · newold.computer · its alternatives →
- 12AS
Lots of fun to do. I would have not taken the time without the speedup provided by Claude. https://andyrosa.github.io/Sinclaude/simulator.html
2025 · its alternatives →
- 138C
Hi everybody! Due to Covid 19 pandemic I was forced in my home, so I revamped my book https://8bit.gioorgi.com It is a huge collection of information about the 8bit comnputer era (1980-1985) up to the NES console. I collected information from various source including “The 8bit Guy” videos and specific site (like C64 wiki, nesdev etc). I am using docusaurus to give a pleasnt look to the whole site. Please give me you feedback (and happy new year btw)!
2021 · its alternatives →
- 14
- 15
The Recovery Kit 2 is another cyberdeck that for me is part computer, part backup device, and part functional movie prop. It's been fun to build, and the HN community has been great with ideas- especially around hosting and getting me off Squarespace. I hope you all enjoy!
2024 · doscher.com · its alternatives →
- 16
Retro Patents▲335Order limited edition prints of tech & gaming patents
2017 · retropatents.com · its alternatives →
- 17
To try it out, simply build the project yourself from source, or use attached bootable ISO image of the system (in Releases on Github) and run it in QEMU. https://blog.vxn.dev/rou2exos-rusted-edition
2025 · github.com · its alternatives →
- 18
Retro Gears▲68A mix of retro, pixels and Micromachines on steroids
2016 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
- 19
- 20
Play LEGO® Island (1997) in your browser — no download required. A faithful open-source recreation built from the original decompiled source code, running on desktop, mobile, and more.
2025 · isle.pizza · its alternatives →
- 21BA
2020 · brick.do · its alternatives →
- 22
BrickLink▲166Showcase, buy, and sell custom LEGO models
2014 · moc.bricklink.com · its alternatives →
- 23
Bring back the 80s with this image creator
2016 · photofunia.com · its alternatives →
- 24
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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →