Home computer remake

A home computer remake is a re-creation or re-implementation of classic home computer hardware, usually using updated technology, such as FPGAs.

Description

A remake is a hardware realization, in contrast to an emulator, which is a virtual realization. A remake can also be described as a hardware-based emulator. Some re-makes can function as more than one computer model or architecture. Disputed examples of hardware emulators (which could involve software emulators) are more recent Sega Genesis/Megadrive clones that are cartridge-compatible and can run the games, but use ARM processors as opposed to the Motorola 68k processors of the original Sega Genesis.

Remakes and emulators are a way to keep old software, games, and operating systems alive without having to port them to newer computers or code them again from scratch. Remakes and emulators are methods of digital preservation.

Remakes are not to be confused with hardware clones. Hardware clones are made during a product's initial commercial run, intentionally competing with the original. Remakes are revivals of old, obsolete, or discontinued models. They fill a niche market for retrocomputing researchers, experimenters, hobbyists, gamers, and collectors. Demand for authentic antique hardware often exceeds supply.

Examples

Examples of home computer remakes include:

• Acorn Atom
  • Acorn Atom Project
• Bombe
  • 2015 hobbyist simulation
• Commodore Amiga
  • Minimig
  • Natami
• Commodore 64
  • C64 Direct-to-TV, a Commodore 64 remake built inside a joystick
• Apple I
  • Replica 1
• Apple II
  • Apple II Rev 0 Motherboard Replica Project
• Atari ST
  • Atari Coldfire
  • Experiment-s
• MITS Altair 8800
  • Altair 8800 Micro
  • AltairKit
• MITS Altair 680
  • Altair680Kit
• MSX
  • GR8BIT
• Sega Genesis
  • Radica Games Limited under its Play TV collection remade the Sega Genesis as a handheld TV game
• Sinclair ZX Spectrum
  • Sprinter

FPGA-based designs that emulate multiple platforms include:

• Chameleon, Originally a Commodore 64 expansion with VGA output, it now also supports standalone operation and additional cores such as Amiga 500, Sinclair Spectrum, Atari 2600.
• C-One, Originally a Commodore 64 remake but now also supporting Amstrad CPC and Amiga 500
• MIST, an open FPGA based implementation of Atari ST and Amiga inspired by Minimig and intended to have a low price
• Multiple Classic Computer (MCC), (e.g. C64 and Amiga) remake, implemented as handheld TV games.

Remakes of early minicomputer and supercomputers have been also made:

• Several experimenters have re-implemented the PDP-8:
  • DEC PDP-x FPGA Implementation
  • FPGA: PDP8 Hans Pufal
  • PDP-8 on an FPGA
  • SBC6120
• FPGA Implementation of supercomputer CRAY 1a

Remakes of other early computers include:

• COSMAC Elf 2000
• KenbakKit, a Kenbak-1 remake
• Membership Card, a COSMAC ELF remake.
• Micro-KIM a 6502 Single Board Computer (SBC). The KIM-1 is not really a home computer, but was often used as a basis for such.
• KIM Uno is an 'open source hardware' project, showing how a KIM-1 can be remade for less than $10 using commonly available modern parts.

Homebrew computers based on early microprocessors include:

• Mensch Computer
• N8VEM home brew single board Z80 small computer.