These are all-new design and new construction (emulated) Z80 computers that run CP/M version 2.2 and MP/M II version 2.1, the final version of Digital Research's preemptive multitasking-operating system. I sold ten earlier versions of this machine in December 2025.
This auction is for RED units; see the other auction (item 206496219323) for the ORANGE units. They are otherwise identical.
Friendly fZ80 is a completely self-contained CP/M and MP/M computer. No modern computer is needed to use it.
fZ80 is an emulated Z80, approximately 70 MHz. Full-size SD cards stand in for floppy disks. An internal higher-performance microSD card provides two hard disks (three, for MP/M).
fZ80 comes with a full-featured CP/M version 2.2 and a large number
of vintage software packages installed and some configured for fZ80 --
WordStar, SuperCalc, PMATE, etc. Software interchange with modern
computers is designed in and uses the removable SD cards. All of the
software is available for free from my website.
eBay does not allow posting of URLs. Please search for BLEEVE.ME fZ80 website for free software and documentation (even if you don't buy an
fZ80).
The CPU and devices are emulated within a modern MCU, but all meaningful code was written in 8080 and Z80 code, using Digital Research's original 1970s software programs, and on the Friendly fZ80 machine itself. Because of this workflow is very nice.
Externally there is no way to know that this is not a hardware Z80 chip. No program can discover it is not running on a Z80 silicon chip (except by CPU speed).
Friendly fZ80 has been in continuous development since January 2025. This electronics revision is relatively minor, but much CP/M and MP/M code has been written and adapted. The printed manual, included, has nearly doubled in size and breadth since version 1.
MP/M-80 II version 2.1
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MP/M splits the screen into four independent windows ("consoles") each of which can simultaneously and independently run a CP/M or MP/M program. Windows can be resized at any time via keyboard functions.
In it's day, MP/M never got the chance to be as well-rounded by users as CP/M got to be; the then-new 8086 IBM PC and competitors relegated MP/M a dead end curiosity. But it's fairly amazing software, maybe the most sophisticated code ever written for the 8080. I'm actively writing MP/M software now. I'm find it fairly easy to write code for, if a little stark, given the limited community.
I'm hoping this batch of 25 machines will help grow developer and user interest in MP/M.
1980 was a long time ago; MP/M was introduced when unix was four years old! You will need to exert some effort to adapt to Digital Research's vision of multitasking. CP/M contains only a tiny hint of what MP/M is capable of.
fZ80 was designed to be, necessarily, itself a development machine, and I think it does a good job of that.
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REQUIREMENTS/NOT INCLUDED: You must provide USB-C power (less than 500 mA), a modern USB-interface keyboard, and a modern LCD monitor with a VGA interface preferably 1024x768 or better. NOT INCLUDED: monitor, keyboard, power supply (USB-C, under 500 mA). No cables.
On the rear panel are a 25-pin bi-directional busy/done parallel/printer port with "IBM PC" type pinout, and a 9-pin serial, also with IBM PC pinout.
The cabinet is folded aluminum with rubber feet and hand painted. I am selling different color machines in separate auctions; they are otherwise identical.
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PROVIDED/INCLUDED: the fZ80 machine, the printed manual shown (PDF on the website), an internal microSD card with CP/M and MP/M installed and booting, and two full-sized Sandisk SD cards, one of which is formatted, bootable, and contains the entire software distribution for the machine, firmware, CP/M and MP/M xIOS code, all of D.R.'s distributions, tools, all documentation I have.
All of this is open source, including the PC board, with a license that allows unlimited personal use.
NOT INCLUDED: monitor, keyboard, power supply (USB-C, under 500 mA). No cables.