July 16, 2026
HamsterOS and HamNet+ Now Available
HamsterOS is here
HamsterOS is now available from Mean Hamster Software: a floppy-first desktop OS for classic 386/486-era PCs, emulators, and compatible virtual machines.
The main HamsterOS disk stays free. It gives you the core desktop experience, including the file manager, built-in tools, games, HamsterNet for plain HTTP browsing, networking, updates, and hard-disk install support.
Hamster Extras adds the bigger pieces
Hamster Extras is a $29 add-on disk image with the full updater, extra apps and games, documentation, fonts, templates, savers, and the HamNet+ browser. Your Extras access remains available through your Mean Hamster account.
When buying Extras, you can optionally add a free 30-day HamNet+ trial by explicitly approving PayPal automatic renewal. Cancel before the 30 days are up to avoid billing.
HamNet+ brings modern pages to classic machines
HamNet+ is designed to make modern browsing feel possible on underpowered classic computers. Your Classic Computer sends a simple request over our exclusive HamNet+ service, so the old computer does not need to negotiate modern TLS or run modern JavaScript. The classic-era client keeps the simple HamNet+ controls and address bar while the service transforms modern HTTPS pages into a smaller retro-friendly format.
HamNet+ is meant for public browsing such as search, articles, docs, forums, and reference pages. It is not intended for banking, medical portals, payment pages, adult content, malware, CAPTCHAs, or sensitive account logins.