> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://itsfoss.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # $69 in 2026 Gets You a Tool to Rejuvenate Old Computers - URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/picoide-crowdfunding-campaign/ - Published: 2026-02-02T10:38:40.000Z - Updated: 2026-02-02T10:42:50.000Z - Description: PicoIDE is a device that turns microSD cards into working hard drives and CD-ROMs for retro PCs. - Author: Sourav Rudra - Tags: News, Gadgets 🎛️, Retro If you have been warming up to the idea of owning [physical media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical%5Fmedia?ref=itsfoss.com) or preserving your existing collection before it fades away, then **PicoIDE** should interest you. The work of [Polpotronics](https://polpotronics.com/?ref=itsfoss.com), this is **an open source IDE/ATAPI emulator** meant to replace aging tech like CD-ROM drives and hard disks. If you don't know what those are, you probably weren't around back then. ☠️ The job of the PicoIDE is quite simple; it can take in disk images (*e.g., ISO, .bin/.cue, .vhd*) from microSD cards and present them to your vintage computer as real IDE hard drives or ATAPI CD-ROM drives. ## PicoIDE: Physical Media FTW The [PicoIDE](https://picoide.com/?ref=itsfoss.com) is powered by a [Raspberry Pi RP2350](https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/rp2350/?ref=itsfoss.com) microcontroller and fits into a standard 3.5-inch drive bay found on most old hardware. It uses a regular 40-pin IDE connector and gets power through the standard 4-pin Molex connector. For storage, it reads disk images off microSD cards formatted in FAT32 or exFAT. There are **two variants** for it; the ***Base*** one handles image switching through a DOS utility or by swapping the microSD card. The ***Deluxe*** version adds an OLED display and physical buttons so you can browse and switch images directly on the device. It also has WiFi for managing images through a web interface. The device supports PIO modes 0-4 and multi-word DMA modes 0-2 for data transfer. It also has a proper audio setup with a [TI PCM5100A DAC](https://www.ti.com/product/PCM5100A?ref=itsfoss.com) that outputs high quality analog CD audio through both an MPC-2 header and a 3.5mm line-out jack. You can also create or modify disk images using emulators like [86Box](https://86box.net/?ref=itsfoss.com) or [WinUAE](https://github.com/tonioni/WinUAE?ref=itsfoss.com) (*the name is unrelated to a certain soulless regime*). As for why anyone would need such a device, the [Crowdsupply](https://www.crowdsupply.com/polpotronics/picoide?ref=itsfoss.com) page for the project gives a fine example. Load your entire CD game library onto one microSD card, organize it, and switch between titles using the front panel or DOS utility. The CD audio output **even works with mixed-mode discs** that have [redbook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow%5FBooks?ref=itsfoss.com#Red%5FBook%5F%281980%29) audio tracks, which software emulators can't handle, they add. ## 💰 Funding the PicoIDE ![this white colored picture shows the front and back views of the picoide board](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2026/02/picoide-pcb-front-back-views.jpg) As of writing this, the PicoIDE had **reached its funding goal of $35,000** and was going strong at $100,339 raised. If you want to get your hands on it, then you can pitch in a minimum of **$69** for the ***Base*** variant, which gets you a fully assembled PicoIDE board along with its enclosure. If you can go the extra mile, then **$110** gets you the ***Deluxe*** variant, which is the same thing but with two color options and more bits, as mentioned earlier. [PicoIDE](https://www.crowdsupply.com/polpotronics/picoide?ref=itsfoss.com) You should also keep an eye on PicoIDE's [GitHub](https://github.com/polpo/picoide/tree/main/docs?ref=itsfoss.com) repo. The design files and source code will go live there before units start shipping. --- **Suggested Read 📖:** [*These Linux Distros Turn Your PC into a Retro Gaming Console*](https://itsfoss.com/retro-gaming-console-linux-distros/) [Linux Distros That Turn Your PC into Retro Gaming ConsoleLooking to spice up your system as a retro gaming console? These Linux distributions can help you do that.![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/icon/android-chrome-512x512-254.png)It's FOSSAbhishek Prakash![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/thumbnail/linux-distros-for-retro-gaming-console-1.jpg)](https://itsfoss.com/retro-gaming-console-linux-distros/)