I’d want it to be similar to 8-bit machines of the era, possibly with different modes. HDMI would be okay as well, as long as it wasn’t the only option available. I’d definitely want the computer to be able to output Composite or VGA. Being that I want off-the-shelf components only, there aren’t a lot of video options.

The video chip would be the hardest thing, I believe. If using 6502 then there will need to be some sort of banking, but with 65816 it should be able to access all of it directly. I would want 128K or 256 of static RAM, with possibly the ability to upgrade it. As long as we aren’t stuck using something like Commodore’s VIC or VIC-2 chips, then this shouldn’t be a problem. That way people could write code in BASIC and it would actually run fast enough to be useful. I would prefer a faster clock speed, such as 8 Mhz or better. However, I’d be fine with the traditional 6502. I would want the CPU to be 6502 or compatible, such as 65816. However, I prefer to avoid any FPGA or microcontrollers if possible, but that’s not a deal-breaker. I would hope that the system would eventually get a larger user base and I wouldn’t want to see any shortage of parts arise preventing mass production. That includes custom chips from Atari or Commodore or whatever. So, basically I would not want the computer to use any old components that cannot be purchased anymore. So I’ve compiled a list of things I think it should have. So, I’m hoping somebody else will make my dream come true.

I’d just design one myself, but I’m not really good enough with electronics to do that. But every one of them falls short in some way or another from what I dream of. There are a lot of 8 and 16-bit single-board hobbyist computers available these days.

Idream card reader software