86Box vs Arm Fast Models
86Box
86box.net
Arm Fast Models
arm.comSide by side
| Figure | 86Box | Arm Fast Models |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Emulator Software | 8.2 (#12) | 7.8 (#23) |
| Purpose | 86Box emulates x86-based IBM PC systems and compatibles from 1981 through systems based on the PCI bus. | Fast Models are functionally accurate programmer’s view models of Arm CPU and System IP for developing software before hardware implementations are available. |
| Support | The project offers community discussion through IRC and Discord and links to a documentation site. | The product page links to a Fast Models user guide, reference manual, technical support, and software tools forum. |
Plans
In their own words
86Box
86Box is a free emulator for x86-based IBM PC systems and compatibles, covering machines from 1981 through PCI-bus systems. It emulates processors from the 8086 through the Pentium with an emphasis on accuracy and supports configurable machines such as the IBM PC 5150 and IBM PS/2 line. Users can select video adapters, sound cards, network adapters, hard-disk controllers, and SCSI adapters. Supported guest systems include MS-DOS, older Windows releases, OS/2, many Linux distributions, BeOS, and NEXTSTEP. MIDI output can use Windows MIDI support, FluidSynth, or emulated Roland synthesizers. 86Box runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS and is released under the GNU General Public License version 2 or later. The project offers stable and experimental builds; experimental versions may be less stable or slower. Most emulation logic runs in one thread, so results depend on host and guest configuration. A BIOS is required. The project recommends manager applications for multiple virtual machines, while its built-in manager is still a preview.
Arm Fast Models
Arm Fast Models has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.