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TL866 vs T48 – Which Chip Programmer is Best for Retro Repairs?

If you're into retro computer repair, a good chip programmer is essential—whether you’re burning replacement ROMs, testing dodgy logic chips, or programming the occasional GAL.

In this video, I compare three popular options from XGecu:

TL866 (original) – still surprisingly capable

TL866II Plus – what I’ve been using for years

T48 – my recent upgrade

We’ll look at each model’s strengths, weaknesses, supported devices, software quirks, and what actually matters for 8-bit and 16-bit machines like the C64, ZX Spectrum, Amiga, and more. I also briefly touch on the T56, the high-end option.

Whether you’re considering your first programmer or wondering if it’s worth upgrading, this breakdown should help you decide what’s best for your retro toolkit.

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