FreeDOS 1.4 has been released, showcasing its continued relevance despite the prevalence of modern cloud-based virtual machines. Some users are debating the practicality of using a real-mode operating system like FreeDOS in today’s computing environment, particularly for its minimal overhead characteristics. This conversation highlights the need for a balance between legacy systems and modern virtualization, with potential opportunities for use cases requiring simplicity and efficiency without extensive resource demands. The possibility of leveraging FreeDOS as a lightweight operating option in specific scenarios where resource constraints are paramount is also worth considering.