The Z80 microprocessor may be a relic of the past, but it continues to inspire curiosity and innovation within the hacker community. Enter SymbOS—a multitasking operating system designed for Z80 machines, including those by Amstrad, Sinclair, and the MSX2 family. Notably, it received an exciting update to version 4.0 earlier this year.

Imagine a universe where Microsoft launched Windows 95 a decade ahead of schedule on the MSX, replacing the traditional BASIC interface with a more modern aesthetic. That’s what SymbOS represents. The latest iteration aligns itself even more closely with this vision by introducing a new file explorer reminiscent of Windows Explorer, eschewing the retro Midnight Commander style from its previous version.

One of the standout features of SymbOS is its preemptive multitasking capability, allowing users to enjoy tracker music while organizing files, composing documents, or even playing a port of the iconic DOOM. Want to chat on IRC while watching low-resolution videos through SymboVid? You can do that too! For business-minded users, traditional CP/M software runs seamlessly in a virtual machine, and there's even an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)—though users will need to be patient as compile times can be lengthy on this 8-bit marvel.

The operating system’s capabilities are impressive, supporting up to 1024KB of RAM (in 64KB increments) and file systems boasting an astonishing 2TB of storage—mind-blowing for machines of its era. One enterprising developer has even managed to connect a CPC with ChatGPT, showcasing the versatility of this retro platform.

For those eager to explore, SymbOS is available for free online via an MSX emulator, or you can install it on an unused Raspberry Pi. If you’re up for a real challenge, a port for the Isetta TLL retrocomputer is currently in development.

As we celebrate the rebirth of the Z80 processor's legacy, SymbOS stands out as a fascinating glimpse into a technological future that might have been.