SymbOS
Screenshot of the SymbOS desktop on the Amstrad CPC | |
| Developer | SymbiosiS |
|---|---|
| Written in | Assembly language (Zilog Z80) |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Freeware |
| Initial release | 1 May 2006 |
| Latest release | 4.0 / 31 January 2025 |
| Available in | English |
| Platforms | Amstrad CPC, MSX, Amstrad PCW, Amstrad NC100, Amstrad NC200, Enterprise 64/128, ZX Spectrum Next, Virtual Machine |
| Kernel type | Microkernel |
| Default user interface | Graphical user interface |
| Official website | www |
SYmbiosis Multitasking Based Operating System (SymbOS) is a multitasking operating system for Zilog Z80-based 8-bit computer systems.
Unlike early 8-bit operating systems, SymbOS is based on a microkernel, which provides preemptive and priority-oriented multitasking and manages random-access memory (RAM) with a size of up to 1024 KB. It has a Windows-like graphical user interface (GUI), supports hard disks with a capacity of up to 128 GB and can already be booted on an unexpanded Amstrad CPC-6128, a 128K-MSX2 and an Amstrad PCW.
As of January 31, 2025, it is available for the Amstrad CPC, Amstrad PCW models, Amstrad NC series of computers, Enterprise 64/128, the ZX Spectrum Next, all MSX models starting from the MSX2 standard, MSX with V9990 graphics chip, CPC-TREX, C-ONE and as a Virtual Machine for running on modern hardware.