Gertieboard Brings IBM PC/XT Revival with Modern Hardware Twist

Retro computing has become a popular hobby in recent years, allowing enthusiasts to relive memories of simpler times and explore vintage machines. However, as original hardware becomes increasingly difficult to find, emulation may no longer be enough for purists who crave the real deal.

Enter Gertieboard, an IBM PC/XT clone designed by hardware hacker Mathijs van den Berg. This innovative device sits between emulation and authentic hardware, using a Cyclone IV FPGA on a Terasic DE0-Nano to replicate support chips that would have accompanied the NEC V20 processor in a real PC.

The V20 runs at 10 MHz and performs actual computing tasks, while the FPGA implements memory control, interrupt timers, DMA controllers, floppy and keyboard interfaces, and video hardware supporting CGA and EGA. This allows for games like Commander Keen 4 and King's Quest I to run natively.

Gertieboard also boasts native USB support via custom logic on the FPGA, enabling the use of modern peripherals without DOS drivers. A USB flash drive serves as the C: hard drive with up to 504 MB of addressable storage, while a USB floppy drive can map to B: