This trend is known as “Tiny Apple Potato,” a playful name that reflects the size of the 3D printed replicas. These replicas are not just for show; they are functional, allowing users to play classic games on their own devices. The Tiny Apple Potato movement is fueled by a passionate community of enthusiasts who share a love for retro gaming and a desire to preserve the history of these machines.

The ESP8266 is a popular choice for IoT projects due to its affordability, low power consumption, and ease of use. It’s widely used in smart home devices, wearable technology, and industrial automation. ARC’s replica effort is based on the ESP8266, which is a significant step towards creating a decentralized and open-source alternative to the centralized and proprietary systems of the current internet.

The mini Apple IIe is “100 percent compatible and usable,” ARC said, with proper support for SD card readers, allowing Apple II disk image files to run. The device, manufactured by MFA Shop in Hong Kong, uses a 3D-printed case based on an option8 design. The original design was later modified and resized to accommodate the screen and a mockup of two floppy drives. Adventures in Retro Computing plans to produce a few units of the Apple IIe and sell them, though no pricing information has been provided yet. The Apple II replica was introduced to the public a few days ago during the Vintage Computer Festival Midwest 19 in Chicago.

It was released in 1977 and was a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Apple II. The Apple IIe was a major step forward in terms of performance, features, and user experience. The Apple IIe was equipped with a more powerful processor, a larger memory capacity, and a more advanced graphics display. It also featured a built-in keyboard and a built-in cassette tape drive.