The cheapest solution ( free !! ) I can think of is a Heathkit ET3400
emulator ! If you cannot find one online, contact me direct ( offlist ) and
I'll E-mail it to you. It's a pretty decent emulator. The graphics are okay.
This is for the 6800 microprocessor. It's a great teaching aid and the price
is right...
Maybe, but there is one heck of a difference between working on an
emulator and using (and modifying, interfacing, etc) the real hardware.
And the OP wants to learn about hardware, I believe.
-tony