Inspired by an Applefritter forum thread, YouTube channel Action Retro has posted a 19-minute video demo of the ESP32 SoftCard for the Apple II.
Similar to a Z80 SoftCard, the ESP32 SoftCard has its own processor that enables the Apple II to run software written for the ESP32, a system-on-a-chip microcontroller.
In the above video, the host demonstrates how this card can be used to emulate a Macintosh Plus running Mac OS 7.0.1 with 3 MB of RAM, as well as Mac programs such as Photoshop and the Apple II emulator ][ in a Mac. After performing comparative speed tests, the host concludes: “The Apple II is a better Macintosh than the Macintosh.”
Non-Mac programs, such as Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Street Fighter II, and Windows, are also shown being run, with assistance from such add-ons as Big Mess o’ Wires Floppy Emu, Alex Lukacz’s SNES MAX, and a Commodore color monitor.
The ESP32 SoftCard card, which is currently out of stock, normally sells for US$125 from Bulgarian developer CVT. More ESP32 SoftCard demo videos are available on CVT’s own YouTube channel.
As of this posting, CVT has been added to A2Central.com’s hardware vendor directory; and Action Retro has been added to our video channel directory.
(Hat tip to Bodhi Bird on Facebook)