Emulator Comparison Spreadsheet

[PeterJ]

Thanks @zx_if1,

I will give those instructions a go. What I meant was that we had added it to the spreadsheet, but I had never personally tried it because it's Java.

Thanks for all the useful aditions

[zx_if1]

The old DOS Warajevo emulator

emule only:
spectrum 48k
128k
ts-2068
zx interface 1 w/8 microdrives
zx printer only using an epson parallel printer connected to pc
timex series 1 prototype via extra plugging

nowadays you need dosbox to execute it

[PeterJ]

Thanks @zx_if1,

I'm keen to stick (for now) to just those emulators that can run natively on modern versions of Windows. Maybe at a later date we can extend the range.

[beginner]

Sorry for the off-topic!

I generally avoid software written in Java because of its perceived security risks [...]
Peter

[...] but I had never personally tried it because it's Java.

There might have been some truth to that many, many moons ago, but today when developing standalone desktop applications,
Java is no less secure than any other native language such as C or C++.
Many large institutions with very strict security requirements, such as banks, are actually using Java extensively.

Now, when running Java plugins in the browser or using technologies like Java Web Start, that's a different story.
But to be honest, I haven't seen anybody using Java that way in years. I'm not sure those technologies are even supported anymore.

Yes, Java or software developed in Java can have security issues sometimes (see log4j's latest incident for example),
but that is also true for just about any other language you might use .

Cheers!

[AndyC]

There might have been some truth to that many, many moons ago, but today when developing standalone desktop applications,
Java is no less secure than any other native language such as C or C++.
Many large institutions with very strict security requirements, such as banks, are actually using Java extensively.

Now, when running Java plugins in the browser or using technologies like Java Web Start, that's a different story.
But to be honest, I haven't seen anybody using Java that way in years. I'm not sure those technologies are even supported anymore.

Yes, Java or software developed in Java can have security issues sometimes (see log4j's latest incident for example),
but that is also true for just about any other language you might use .

Cheers!

In a very abstract sense, you're right. The problem is that installing Java still sticks a whole bunch of stuff on your machine like Java Web Start and various browser plugins etc that are all gaping security holes ripe for exploitation. Or at least that was still the case last time I had to install it (plus it kept trying to foist other third party apps on the machine as part of the installation, which is one of the scummiest practices out there).

If they'd strip it down to a bar minimum installer, with no web exposed parts at all, I'd consider it. But as it stands it still tends to fall into the hard pass category.

[zx81]

In a very abstract sense, you're right. The problem is that installing Java still sticks a whole bunch of stuff on your machine like Java Web Start and various browser plugins etc that are all gaping security holes ripe for exploitation. Or at least that was still the case last time I had to install it (plus it kept trying to foist other third party apps on the machine as part of the installation, which is one of the scummiest practices out there).

If they'd strip it down to a bar minimum installer, with no web exposed parts at all, I'd consider it. But as it stands it still tends to fall into the hard pass category.

JWS doesn't exist from Java 11 at least, and the same is true for the Java Plugin. Java 11 was launched 07/25/2018. You are really outdated.

[zx_if1]

The oldiest zx32 was my first windows emulator I try and like it

can emulate:
48k
48k+
128k
128 (pentagon mode) - tape only
+2
+2a
+3 - one disk (can run cp/m+)
joysticks:
kempston
sinclair if2 (1 & 2)
cursor

open:
.zxs - riff files
.tap, .tzx
.sna, .z80
.cpd, .dsk
.zip

save:
.zxs, .zxsnap & .z80

have poke memory option

the last version was 2.00.04.04 (beta) for w95 & nowadays run good in W10 too

[PeterJ]

Following feedback, the emulator comparison spreadsheet now support emulators that run on Windows, Mac and natively on Linux.

Please request access if you use a Mac only emulator.

Thanks

Peter

[+3code]

I've noticed EightyOne supports the 8-bit IDE interface. Sadly, I can't update the spreadsheet, and for some reason the app crash while opening the file, so I've downloaded it as pdf.

✓ Reviewed by PJ

[PeterJ]

Thanks @+3code, I will update that.

To edit the sheet you need a Google account, and you just request editing rights via the link on the Google Sheets page.

[PeterJ]

I've updated the emulator comparison spreadsheet with all the latest versions. If you spot any issues please let me know. Just a note that this is for emulators that run natively on Windows 10/11, Linux, Android, Apple OS or specialist hardware like Nintendo DS. I'm not interested in emulators that only run via DOSBox or on older versions of Windows. Sorry.

I only have access to Windows, Linux and Android devices, so if you know of any emulators which run exclusively on the other platforms mentioned above please PM me with the full details so I can complete the spreadsheet for you, or ask for edit rights.

Thanks

[PeterJ]

P.S. I should probably create a separate list of emulators that support the floating bus on the +2A/+3. My article just mentions a couple and it’s hard to find them as they’re buried in the text.

DId you manage to complete a list by any chance? It would be useful to add to the spreadsheet.

[Ast A. Moore]

DId you manage to complete a list by any chance? It would be useful to add to the spreadsheet.

Sorry, Peter, but no. Life got in the way.

[kolbeck]

Please request access if you use a Mac only emulator.

Thanks

Peter

zxsp - https://k1.spdns.de/Develop/Projects/zx ... ributions/
CLK - https://github.com/TomHarte/CLK

[PeterJ]

Thanks @kolbeck,

I see CLK is available for Linux as a Snap, so I will be able to try that.

Thanks
Peter

[kolbeck]

Thanks @kolbeck,

I see CLK is available for Linux as a Snap, so I will be able to try that.

Thanks
Peter

CLK is not full of features, but it's quite interesting from an emulation point of view. For zxsp - i can try to fill out the sheets, best efford

[PeterJ]

Thanks @kolbeck,

Yes please.

Thanks

[chernandezba]

Corrections are welcome. Because its a personal project I won't be adding emulators on other platforms although of course you are welcome to make a copy of it.

Lots of ZEsarUX features are wrong there
May I edit the sheet? If agree, my gmail mail is same as mi nick but @gmail.com, in order to give me permissions.
If not, I can provide you a list of changes, but I think it will be long....

[PeterJ]

Thanks @chernandezba

I will add you. Peter

[Seven.FFF]

#CSpect also supports 48K model, divMMC and Multiface 3. Not that you would probably ever choose it as an emulator based on support for 48K/128K or those addons.

[PeterJ]

#CSpect also supports 48K model, divMMC and Multiface 3. Not that you would probably ever choose it as an emulator based on support for 48K/128K or those addons.

Thanks @Seven.FFF,

Is divMMC supported in original Spectrum mode? Also I can't see Multiface mentioned in the ReadMe.txt either. Have I missed it?

It's a great emulator for the Next, but command line switches for everything..........

[chernandezba]

Thanks @chernandezba

I will add you. Peter

Thank you! I will update it ASAP

[chernandezba]

Thanks @chernandezba

I will add you. Peter

Done! It's a very complete list, although I miss some things, like more copy interfaces: transtape, ramjet, etc..

Cheers

[azesmbog]

The MIDI interface only supports one emulator and it's so unimportant it's not even reflected in the table?
Or are there any other emulators that support MIDI besides Es.Pectrum ?

[zx_if1]

Hi

Has anybody tried the latest version of the mame .260 emulator?

Disk systems:

Opus,
disciple and +d - work ok
gamma disk
betadisc
beta28
vision system
and cbi - ok

now also include kempstondos
and watfor spdos - ok
swiftdisk 1 and 2 - ok
floppy1 by rocky gush - I can successfully formatted disks
speccydos - I discovered how to exchange data between mame and x128

also the proceed1
and sdi 1541
plus microdrive
and wafadrive
but all these latest none of them work as expected

The last REALS version have Kempston dos emulation too

The spreadsheet needs to be updated for all these I think