Posted By
gerliczer
on 2013-08-02
17:33:35
|  Re: Z80 GUI: SymbOS
Hi MMS,
You say that having a Z80 connected to the plus/4 would make it more up-to-date. It may be so but still would be superfluous. The things you listed can be done much better in today's hardware. Do whatever updates you want to an early to middle 80s machine it will never be more than an old hobby machine.
As for the possibilities:
- Fluent video playback does not require a Z80 CPU but quick mass storage preferably with DMA. Look for IDE64 and 16MB REU based videos for the 64.
- CPC music requires AY extension and rewritten player.
- MP3 can be played on the C64 with a hardware decoder - well, actually I seem to remember a demo that even does some realtime effect processing - that is a plug-in for another expansion card (MMC Replay?).
- Internet would first need an Ethernet card, besides Contiki (look it up) has a text browser AFAIR.
- Norton like file manager? I think that siz converted a tool for SD2IEC that has similar arrangement.
- Task manager? WTF?
- Minesweeper. After a quick check, we have at least 5.
- For SD cards use SD2IEC. It is now manufactured in case colour harmonising with 264 series. And connect a 1351 mouse or a PS/2|USB one via Micromys to the SID card.
Anyways, no matter how you slice it, the plus/4 will not replace any modern computer however you upgrade it. As someone's hobby it is cool but beyond that there is no sense to it.
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