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grroel.tech
Newbie

Joined: 09/12/2021
Location: Spain
Posts: 28

Posted: 10:14am 22 Aug 2026

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Hello,

The Pico Computer 3 is the ultimate platform for MMBasic, but those of us on the other side of the globe have to take on the challenge of building the board from scratch – ordering it from a manufacturer, sourcing the components and assembling it – as it’s quite difficult to get hold of a pre-assembled one.

Today I received a promotional leaflet for a board from Adafruit, the Fruit Jam, which is similar to the Pico Computer 3 and is available from Pimoroni for £55.80, including a keyboard, mouse and gamepad. Although it will be slightly more expensive for us in Spain (Brexit), it’s still a good price. We can also buy the board on Amazon for €63.59.

Would it be possible in any way to run MMBasic on this board? What similarities might it have with the Pico Computer 3?

Greetings from the other side of the world!!!

al18
Senior Member

Joined: 06/07/2019
Location: United States
Posts: 249

Posted: 10:32am 22 Aug 2026

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I raised this same question a few months ago. The answer is this board probably will not work with MMBasic https://thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?TID=18953&PID=256782#256782#256693

matherp
Guru

Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 11776

Posted: 10:41am 22 Aug 2026

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Would run MMbasic with appropriate setup but:
no USB host as it uses PIO USB so no keyboard/mouse/gamepad
Audio may work but no guarantees < 50/50
wifi definitely won't work

Won't run my Micropython port

Won't run the Fuzix code

Good for a paperweight though

JohnS
Guru

Joined: 18/11/2011
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 4369

Posted: 03:54pm 22 Aug 2026

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There are some almost-PC3 boards from members here but they look quite hard to build, so maybe it's just a case of waiting until JLCPCB can make them reliably and completely.

John

Mixtel90

Guru

Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 9075

Posted: 04:06pm 22 Aug 2026

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My own humble attempt isn't too bad to build, I don't think. If you are going to use the RM2 module you can't escape some SMD soldering really. I've kept the SMD work down and, of course, the wiring is sorted out by it being a PCB. :)

I've got an email telling me that my boards are out of manufacture now. I get to build a prototype soon. :)

Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs

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