Are questions about devices such as the new Commodore 64 Mini on topic here?

Question

Title says it all. Are questions about devices such as the new Commodore 64 Mini on topic here?

It seems like an interesting device, but mainly seems to be a C-64 emulator running on an ARM chip. And while the keyboard is there for aesthetics (ie: doesn’t work) one can hook up a basic USB keyboard to simplify keyboard data entry.

Since there are supposedly thousands of users still programming for the C-64 and—I assume—emulation plays some role in their workflow, would a dedicated hardware emulator like this be an on-topic subject here?

For example, SID programming is a thing for many C-64 enthusiasts. If I were to somehow start SID programming through the BASIC emulator on a Commodore 64 Mini, would it make sense for me to point out I am using such a device rather than a real C-64?

Answer 1

I don't see why not. We've had questions about software emulators and they've been well received. Questions about technicalities about the machine (like flashing it to do other things) wouldn't be on-topic, since it's only in scope as an emulator, but most questions would be fine.

Answer 2

I'm not realy sure why it should be on topic. It's a new hardware with a new software and just because it got put in a case that reminds of a C64, doesn't make a difference.

If we would accept it as on topic per se than we need to accept any modern hardware with any modern software as soon as some marketing guy puts a retro label on the box.

Having said that, there still may be questions that are RC related. For example when someone is trying to write programs within the original (i.e. emulated) environment, his questions could quite well fit RC, as there is no relevant difference between using this and the classic environment. I would like to call this 'Equivalent Questions' as the very same question could also come up with the original hard/software.

Another on topic issue may be hardware questions related to a potential use of old hardware with the new one (like an original 1541 with the mini-C64). At least for most of them. In fact, due the use of old hardware it's direct on-topic.

In contrast, a question of how the print-screen key of a PC keyboard connected works is clearly off-topic (just trying to make a case). Similar about configuration or management of the emulation software.

Keep in mind, RC is neiter a superuser/How-To for modern hardware nor classic.