A tiny Altoids tin has been turned into something far more ambitious than a novelty build. Inside the metal case sits a working mini computer with a small display, a handmade keyboard, WiFi connectivity, retro gaming support, and even voice-based AI chat.
The project stands out because it combines so many functions in such a limited space. Built around an ESP32, the device was shown by Reddit user SuperRadMaker in the ESP32 subreddit, where compact electronics builds often draw strong attention from the maker community.
A laptop format, not just another small console
What makes this build especially unusual is its laptop-like layout. Instead of stopping at a basic handheld shell, the creator used both the base and lid of the Altoids tin as the foundation for a miniature portable computer.
A small screen and a handcrafted keyboard were added so the device could be used more like a real computer. Its size is extremely compact, but that also adds to the appeal because it looks like a travel-ready machine that could be carried almost anywhere.
Retro games and internet features in one pocket-sized device
The most eye-catching part of the project is its ability to run software that many people would not expect from hardware this small. SuperRadMaker demonstrated DOOM running on the device through a PrBoom port, continuing the long-running tradition of getting the game to run on unexpected hardware.
The mini computer does not stop at DOOM. It also supports a NES emulator based on the nofrendo fork, along with Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulation through gnuboy.
That makes the device more than a technical proof of concept. It becomes a pocket-sized retro gaming system that can handle several classic platforms rather than a single demo title.
Voice chat with AI and internet radio
Beyond gaming, the Altoids tin computer also has practical connected features. It can stream internet radio over WiFi, including SomaFM and Icecast HTTP streams, which gives the build a use that goes beyond novelty and emulation.
One of its most unusual functions is a chat mode called “ask.” In that mode, the device connects to Grok AI chat through the xAI API and returns responses using synthetic voice through a speaker.
That combination gives the tiny computer an identity that is part retro toy, part portable communicator, and part experimental AI terminal. All of those roles are packed into a shell that would normally hold mint candies.
Why the maker community keeps paying attention
Altoids tins have long been popular in maker projects because they offer a durable metal case for small electronics. This build uses that familiar format in a way that pushes the limits of what can fit inside.
The tightly packed layout means every component has to be arranged carefully to make room for the display, controls, and main system. The result is a device that looks improvised in the best possible way, while still functioning as a real mini computer.
The response on Reddit shows why these projects continue to resonate. Users quickly asked whether it could run DOOM, and the answer was already built into the project from the start.
SuperRadMaker is also said to have a video of the build on a YouTube channel, offering a closer look at how the ESP32-based machine behaves in real use. In the end, the project makes a simple point in a very compact form: with enough creativity, even a mint tin can become a working laptop-style computer.
Source: www.xda-developers.com
