Microsoft's Windows and Apple's Mac operating systems have inspired truly prodigious amounts of adulation and horror on the part of computer users for about three decades now.
Those of us who love technology aren't likely to forget our first desktop operating systems. But the OSes of yore don't have to live only in your memories. While it might be difficult to fire up the first PCs you ever owned today, some computer enthusiasts have made it easy for us to relive what it was like to use them again with almost no effort at all.
Sega Master System / Game Gear Emulators The Sega's both systems had almost exactly the same hardware with the only difference being that one was mobile and the other handheld. That enabled game developers to easily transfer games from one system to another. PCE.js Mac Plus emulator running Mac OS System 7 — a hack by James Friend PCE.js emulates classic computers in the browser. This is a simulation of a Classic Macintosh from 1984, running System 7.0.1 with MacPaint, MacDraw, and Kid Pix.
If you want to be able to use all the features of an old operating system, you'll probably have to find the software and load it in a virtual machine. But there are a bunch of browser-based emulators that show you what the old OSes looked like and let you click on a few things. It's a lot easier, and it may satisfy your urge to relive the past. Here are a few such websites to fuel your technostalgia.
Windows 1.0: It’s older than the World Wide Web
It's the very first version of the most widely used desktop operating system in history, released in 1985. I went to a lot of trouble to run Windows 1.0 in a virtual machine on a Windows 7 PC a few years ago, but you can live in the past right now by clicking on jsmachines.net, short for 'JavaScript Machines.'
The emulator is in black and white rather than color, and you can't save any changes, but you can use the mouse cursor and run the earliest Windows programs, like Reversi, Notepad, and Paint:
The simulation is 'configured for a clock speed of 4.77Mhz, with 256Kb of RAM and a CGA display, using the original IBM PC Model 5160 ROM BIOS and CGA font ROM,' the website notes. 'This PC XT configuration also includes a 10Mb hard disk with Windows 1.01 pre-installed.'
Mac OS System 7 on a virtual Mac Plus
This website lets you run Mac OS System 7, released in 1991, on a simulated Macintosh Plus, a computer introduced in 1986. As a nice touch, it runs the OS within an illustration of the physical computer:
Developer James Friend writes that this demo 'emulates a Mac Plus with a bunch of abandonware applications and games to check out.' The website is a bit sluggish and difficult to use, but it's fun to look at.
Windows 3.1: Windows gets a lot more window-y
Coder Michael Vincent's website provides a functional version of Windows 3.1 from 1992, which he says he made in 'JavaScript and strict XHTML 1.0, with AJAX functionality provided through PHP.' Vincent recommends using Firefox 2 or 3, but it worked fine for me in Chrome 33 and Firefox 26.
'The goal of this site is not to create an entirely complete mirror image of Windows 3.1, but rather keep the spirit and omit features when they are not justified by an effort to usability ratio,' he writes. 'For example, Notepad lacks a find and replace feature because it is not worth the effort. Where features do exist, every effort is made to present them in exactly the manner that they existed in Windows 3.1.'
Console Emulator Mac
This is one of the more functional browser-based emulators. You can use applications, open files, and even surf the 2014 Web on a browser (apparently one Vincent designed himself):
Mac OS 8.6: The classic Mac OS nears the end of its life
Released in 1999 and one of the last versions of the classic Mac operating system before it was replaced by OS X, you can find this old operating system at VirtualDesktop.org.
Mac Os Emulator Download
This one isn't totally usable. I couldn't resize or move windows, and not all of the icons are clickable. But the included functions work smoothly, and you can open enough applications and menus that it provides a nice look at a long-gone OS.
Windows 95: Start it up!
VirtualDesktop.org offers a bunch of other versions of Windows and Mac, including one of the most fondly remembered operating systems, Windows 95. This one also isn't totally functional, but it's worth firing up to see the first version of Microsoft's iconic Start menu:
Just for kicks, here's one other 'fully functional' version of Windows 95 that may provide you with a frustratingly familiar sight.
OS X 10.2: The classic Mac OS is retired
VirtualDesktop.org also comes through with one of the earliest versions of OS X, Jaguar. You can navigate through some of the system preferences, see an early version of the OS X dock, and start up Mail or Internet Explorer for Mac. Once again, if you want a fully functional version, you'll probably have to install a copy on a virtual machine.
Windows XP: A classic that’s regrettably still with us
We'll finish off with the operating system that just won't die no matter how old it is. Released in 2001, Windows XP still commands 29 percent market share, making it the second most widely used OS after Windows 7.
Our XP simulation comes courtesy of Total Emulator, a neat little website that isn't pretty but makes it easy to switch among Windows ME, 98, 2000, XP, and Vista:
So ends our nostalgia
That ends our brief tour of old Windows and Mac versions you can run in a browser. Sadly, as far as we can tell, no developers have made websites that emulate BeOS or OS/2, classic operating systems that went by the wayside. Any volunteers?
Find it hard to run Android games on your Mac? The primary hurdle that you face is that the development of both systems is done in different languages. However, you can make it if you have an Android emulator for Mac. This tutorial is all about the installation of the best android emulators on your Mac.
Top 5 Best Android Emulator for Mac
1# Bluestacks Android Emulator for macOS
Certain emulators are easy to install and run. Bluestacks Android Emulator for macOS is a cross-platform App that supports games that allow you to enjoy lossless quality. And its current number of users of the program exceeds 130 million. The program is embedded in layer-cake technology. It means that you can run the most graphic-intense games with ease. It is one of the finest App players. The fact of the matter is that the investment supports it from Samsung, Intel, and Qualcomm. It reveals that large organizations are also interested in the development to capture platforms other than Android.
2# Genymotion
With 3X the actual device's speed, this Android emulator is all that you want to have. It has some excellent features that you will not find elsewhere. For instance, the design, as well as the user, has been kept simple. You can use this emulator to test the android Apps on Mac. With vigorous development and excellent customer support, this App player is worth installing. With Mac OSX 10.8 or above, this App player can be used with ease and satisfaction. The best part is that you get the App player's license free of charge. With over 4 million users, this emulator is undoubtedly the one that perfectly matches all your needs.
3# Droid 4X
If there an Android emulator for Mac that can work as a game controller, then droid4X is the one. You can learn the sleek design and get the ultimate gaming experience. The keyboard option that is integrated is the ones that are cool and get you the best outcome. You can also install the android App APK files on Mac with ease. The drag and drop feature makes the usage simpler so that you get outclass experience. In this case, the Mac hardware compatibility is not an issue. If your Mac's hardware is lower even then, this emulator can work with 100% quality.
4# Andyroid Emulator
It is the trending Mac Android emulator which liked by the most. With open GL hardware support, this emulator is the one that is too easy to install. With the help of Andyroid Emulator, the phone can be turned into a remote control for gaming. With quick customer support, you will never find yourself deserted. The phase installation allows the emulator to match with the hardware compatibility. If you are looking for an emulator that takes App installation to a higher level, then Andyroid Emulator is the emulator you should choose.
5# YouWave
Though a bit more sophisticated than Bluestacks, this emulator has taken the concept a bit too far. The interface has been designed so that even if you are a non-tech guy, you can get the work done quickly. The split that has been embedded allows you to operate the App and view the App directory simultaneously. It also has the functionality to import the Apps that are previously downloaded. You need to place the APK files into the player's folder to get started. It has dynamic control and volume buttons to make the experience more enchanting for you. The only drawback is that it does not have a free version. Instead, it comes with ten days of the free trial. The packages and the prices can be viewed on the official website, which has been mentioned above.