alt Hacker NewsI grew up in a world where the Arduino already existed, but it was not until I tried building homebrew Z80 computers like this that I really felt I understood how computers/processors work at the low level.
Consider this a warning though: this hobby has caused me to involuntarily collect every model of Z80 powered TRS-80 computer.
If you wish to become hooked anyway, this project might be another good place to start: https://hackaday.io/project/159973-z80-mbc2-a-4-ics-homebrew...
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What I do not like is using a uC that is almost as capable as the whole board as part of it.
I know, you have to take a pragmatic approach… but feels like cheating… idk.
I have very sadly done the same with ZX Spectrums but the quest is never ending due to all of the baltic clones
Loved TRS-80 PCs and the COCO in early to mid 80's. My real first PC digital hardware class used those machines. Like most people in those days, could not really afford to purchase any but was gifted a COCO. w/ Editor/Assembler for experimentation :)
I went through the exact same process, but with the 6502 (Ben Eater's videos, and then another SBC of my own design after). It's helped me become a better programmer too. Example: pointers in C now feel very natural instead of some abstract idea of "memory addresses, whatever those are".
And yep, I now also own many 6502 based computers :-)