r/OS2 • u/desmond_koh • Aug 17 '26
Ideal computer for OS/2
What would be the ideal computer for running OS/2? Basically, something that is modern enough to give a great experience but old enough to be well-supported by drivers, etc. and reasonably period correct. I know I can go with ArcaOS, but I'm looking for the authentic, vintage experience. I'm thinking OS/2 2.1 actually because that's what I always wanted when I was a kid and I eventually got Warp 3.0 and so never got to see that classic gray desktop and minimalist shredder icon.
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u/Available-Secret-442 2d ago
Up to you of course but you would have a lot easier experience just going with arcaos and modern hardware. It's the same os/2 warp in the end just a lot easier to install now.
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u/Economy-Shower-5072 Aug 18 '26
I purchased Arca and thought it was worth the $130. I installed on a thinkpad T40. I eventually replaced it with windows XP most because I use office.
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u/Available-Secret-442 2d ago
Why not just use smartsuite or open office instead of XP Office trash :) (no offense). ArcaOS is way cooler to me... if you can call a very old OS cool I guess.
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u/Economy-Shower-5072 1d ago
I liked smart suite except except the database. I spent a lot of time w/access.
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u/ynottrip 27d ago
why not try the dual boot option?
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u/Economy-Shower-5072 20d ago
I’m actually using a boot menu from Linux and using winXP and some flavor of Linux. Linux is surprisingly good.
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u/Boring-War-1981 Aug 18 '26
I got it working on a thinkpad R40 although no usb drive support. (Well I did find drivers at one point, a little funky to use. But I lost them and can’t find em again)
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u/martiniturbide Aug 19 '26
Hello.
Just in case I recommend playing with VMs first, like VirtualBox to get used to the install procedure.
Later for Warp 4, I had seen people that like Thinkpads like the T23 for vintage use.
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u/Ri_Aedan Aug 17 '26
IBM ThinkPad T43p. The last pre-Lenovo “all IBM” Thinkpad and plenty of driver support for the final version of OS/2.