Re: Where were A2 clones sold and advertised

[a_specto@alcor.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

"Ernest" <ernestls@home.com> wrote:

>I've been thumbing through my Byte mags ('79-85) and I haven't seen a single
>A2 clone advertised so far. Were clones sold through magazines like Byte?
>Did you have to buy them at local shops or were they mail order only?

    Most of these were illegal clones, so it's doubtful they would have
advertised in magazines (I do remember seeing at least one ad from
an electronics shop in a Nibble magazine, advertising a no-name
clone). I certainly don't remember any full page ads, unless you
count compatibles (not clones) like the Laser and Franklin series. 

    I bought my clone from a local computer store, or rather some 
small sleazy distributor. Back in the early 80's I remember many
small electronic and computer shops in the area had Apple II 
clones on display (in some cases even bare housings and 
motherboards to assemble your own system). I still have the 
glossy ad booklet I picked up for the clone I decided on, a 
Golden II. It's sitting among all the Apple II booklets and 
pamphlets I kept over the years (quite a collect too, I'll
have to scan them one day soon).

Mitchell Spector
a_specto@alcor.concordia.ca