Re: The Apple ][ wasn't crap!

[az268@chebucto.ns.ca (Jonathan Adams)]

Jeff Thomas (a2forever@usa.net) wrote:
: I don�t want to get into the argument over which computer is best or
: worse during the 1980s because every computer had strengths and
: weaknesses. But merely reflect my personal opinions on the matter.

: If I must chose a contender for the worse computer of the 1980s, it
: would be the �IBM PC�. Reason�s being: poor graphics (Hercules
: [2-colours B&W], CGA (the best available by 1987, 4-colours]).  Awful
: Sound, internal speaker worse than an Apple II (Sound cards, never took
: off till the early 1990s starting with �Adlib�). A rugged metal case
: (weighing a ton) - taking up lots of desk space. Noisy power supplies
: with fans. Clones were �unreliable� and �incompatible�. The first
: software written were knock-offs of Apple II software.

: The Apple II has changed the face of �personal computing� more than most
: computers eg. With innovations like the first spreadsheet (VisiCalc),
: graphic adventure (Mystery House), role-playing games (Ultima I, Might &
: Magic), Speech in a computer game (Castle Wolfenstein), integrated
: business package (AppleWorks), different programming languages, etc. On
: the hardware front, Basic in ROM, 5.25� disk drives, 80-columns text,
: sound card�s, joysticks, etc.

: The Apple II was light at 7-pounds, had better graphics and sound than a
: typical PC, slender disk drives (without a built-in power supply) and
: �open� system allowing for expansion cards (later copied by IBM).

: For pure gaming, the Commodore 64 rates at the top (until bettered by
: the Commodore Amiga and eventually the PC). A 50/50 mixture of gaming
: and home/business applications the Apple IIe (till the PC). And for
: business applications either the Macintosh or IBM PC.  Most reviews of
: that time supported that recommendation.

: Commodore�s first computers were flops until the Commodore VIC 20 and
: then 64.
: The main reason for Commodore�s popularity were it�s cheap price and
: were mostly used as �gaming machines� even the Commodore Amiga, lacked
: the creditability as a �serious� business computer.

: Dozens of companies have folded since then, including Commodore and
: Atari, while Apple still is around and yes, still innovating! :-)

: So, nope the Apple II wasn�t crap � its durability and reliability
: proves that! The product range had a lifespan longer than most, which
: reflects the genius of the two Steve�s, Jobs (the believer and
: visionary) and Woznaik�s (feat of engineering). Besides, the company's
: history is far more exciting than any other's - the number of books
: published on the subject are huge! :-)

: APPLE II FOREVER!

My Apple IIe's are the only reliable computers I have. I bought three
Commodore 1541 disk drives, two of which do not work properly. Also,
my Windows 95 machine tends to hang on shutdown.

--
Jonathan Adams
E-mail: az268@chebucto.ns.ca 
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