March 2, 2026
404 meets 8-bit
The Mini PET 40/80 (2022)
Retro PET revival thrills, site goes 404, community rushes to Wayback rescue
TLDR: The Mini PET 40/80 revives a classic with wider text mode, dual tape ports, and built-in tools. The blog went down, and the community’s big moment was a hero drop of a Wayback link, turning a retro hardware reveal into a crowdsourced rescue mission.
Retro diehards are buzzing over the Mini PET 40/80—an updated DIY kit that brings old-school charm with a rainbow keyboard, clear panels, and a one-button switch between 40 and 80 text columns (think: narrow vs. wide page). It plays nicely with classic Commodore PET software and adds creature comforts like easy file browsing, self-test, and soft power on/off. The creator even jokes about adding orange function keys—because style matters in retro land. And no, it’s not VGA; it sticks with simpler video options across old monitors.
But the real drama? The official blog went poof, and the thread turned into a rescue mission. One commenter, VSpike, swooped in with a Wayback Machine snapshot, instantly crowned the MVP of retro archaeology. Cue jokes about “404: the final boss,” and cheers for archivists keeping history alive. Readers nodded at the creator’s “not VGA” PSA, and the vibe was equal parts nostalgia and relief—finally, we can actually read the thing. In a world of hype and hot takes, today’s star wasn’t a benchmark or a frame rate—it was a link.
Key Points
- •Mini PET 40/80 is an upgraded through‑hole kit compatible with most Commodore PET (2001–8032) software and includes 32K RAM.
- •Video subsystem now supports 40- and 80-column modes with 2K video RAM; firmware was rewritten to meet 80-column timing (6 cycles/character).
- •Hardware changes include replacing a 74HC10 with a 74HC138, removing the 74HC74 (inversion moved to character ROM), and adding more DIP switches.
- •Power/control redesign uses 4000-series logic for soft power and 40/80 selection; 8-pin regulators replace 7805/TIP29; board adds dual datasette ports with motor LEDs.
- •Connectivity expands to composite PAL/NTSC and RGBI/CGA/MDA via a 9-way D connector (not VGA); features Mini PET BASIC 4.1 with file browser, self-test, and permanent DOS Wedge.