Agat

Back in the days when computers where only better depicted in science fiction, real ones where fitted with pixelated graphics and you couldn't pull much practicality out of them. However, these helped paved the way for the newer generations of machines that are used to fuel demanding requirements of applications and video games. Enthusiasts still have a chance at playing with old models right from the comfort of modern desktops with emulators such as Agat.

The interface is cleverly organized, with a large area displaying all machines, and has a decent amount of presets you can try out. These are based on old systems such as Apple Desktop, Sprite OS, ProDos, IKP and even a few games from that era. A side panel holds all management tools.

The application lets you thoroughly go under the hood of all the presets, or even combine various virtual hardware components to create a custom machine. You simply need to select the system type and you can choose from Agat, Apple, Enhanced Apple IIe, Pravetz or Acorn Atom.

However, the following step lets you change the system type and configure each slot, like processor, memory and ROM by choosing from the list of supported components. Your new configuration is saved under a custom name and immediately appears in the dashboard list.

You can keep multiple instances running at the same time. This comes in handy, especially thanks to the low amount of resources used. By default, systems run in a pretty compact window which can't be stretched, but can be made full screen. If you frequently use one of them, it's possible to make it start in full screen by default, but remember to use ALT+RETURN to switch back, because hitting ESC won't do the trick.

A few more options are available, but slightly out of sight and there's a high chance to miss it. Stored in the title bar, you can save the state of any machine, or import virtual disks if it's equipped with proper components. For an unexpected crash or freeze, there's an option to apply a reset or hard reset.

On an ending note, Agat is a powerful emulator that brings the chills and simplicity of the golder era of computers to your desktop. The presets it comes with are more than enough to let you experience a decent amount of diversity like text editors, video games and paint tools. Flexibility is further enhanced by the possibility to build custom machines, making this app worth a try.