Classic Computers: Emulation or the Real Thing?

[Ze_ro]

I know the whole "Emulation vs Real Thing" arguement has been done to death... I usually complain that the Real Thing is more convenient than emulators, but I think it's a much more weighted argument when it comes to classic computers. Sitting and waiting for a 1541 or tape drive to load, or trying to find that memory expander was always a huge pain in the ass, so it seems to me that emulation for these systems is often much more convenient than the real thing.

However, I still seem to prefer to use the Real Thing even when it's an inconvenience. I still have a C-128 hooked up in the basement with it's own monitor, and two disk drives... There's also an Amiga across the room from it that's just waiting for a game of Turrican 2 or Awesome... I have other classic computers downstairs too, but they're usually tucked away until I decide I want to give them a run.

--Zero

[Lady Jaye]

I prefer the real thing, but nothing beats the eeriness of running a Mac System 6 emulator over a Mac with OS 9 or X. It's like a weird time capsule within my current computer...

[Mayhem]

The real thing most of the time. I use emulators in general for 3 reasons:

1) To grab screenshots of games for articles.
2) When I'd never have access to the real article (MAME etc).
3) To try out games I've been told about and maybe trying to then find and buy them.

[TheSmirk]

I prefer the real thing (when possible), the old school computing experience isn't just the games that you run or the weird commands you type to run them, its the whole package........the sound and feel of the keyboard *tick-tick* the monitor res, the "hummmmm" of some of the equiptment (disk drives,tape drives etc.) Its a much more immersive experience when its the real deal, emulators are VERY convieniant but VERY sterile IMHO

[SpasticFuctard]

I gotta say 'Real thing' too, trying to map those c64 keys from memory is a real biatch.

SF - M.U.L.E. Champion.

[Jorpho]

Wasn't there a C64 flight simulator that made noises with the disk drive in order to simulate engine sounds? Now that would be difficult to simulate.

[Ze_ro]

In fact, I think there was even a C64 program that would play "music" via disk drive noises. I never tried it though, since I've had enough alignment problems as it is.

--Zero

[NE146]

Although I'll admit that sitting in front of an Apple 2E/2+ with a monochrome green monitor would DEFINITELY be very cool. I know for me at least the charm would lose it's appeal after a couple of hours.

Those floppy disks aren't exactly as cool collecting as carts.. they're slow to load up, etc. and if I had the amount of floppies as I do disk images.. it'd be one ugly mess rather than one compact directory on my modern pc :P

I also like the fun factor of running something like Applewin, setting it to full screen monochrome, and digging the fact that my pc now acts like it's back in the 80's loading up any game or app I want. But on a whim can simply alt-tab back into the present.

So.. romatically, Using an Apple 2e/2+ is great. But for my level of interest... applewin is the way to go.