Re: Apple II info please...

[Jeff Lemke <lemke@terra.cira.colostate.edu>]

Rubywand wrote:
> 
> Clockmeister writes ...
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > As a computer enthusiast I would be gratefull if someone could tell me what
> > the technical specifications are of an Apple II (GS).
> > Specifically, expansion capabilities, operating system(s), processor type
> > and speed and video capabilities.
> 
>      Okay; here is some tech info ..
> 
> microprocessor- 65C816 (8-bit Data bus, 16-bit main registers)
>    addresses up to 16MB; uses super-set of 6502 instructions;
>    mode switching to permit 6502 'emulation'
> 
> Main modes of operation- GS (new stuff) and 'old Apple II' (to allow
>    running most Apple II, II+, IIe, IIc software)
> 
> Speed- base system max is a bit below 3MHz (max with accelerator
>    board is around 12MHz equivalent main system speed)
> 
> Memory- base 256k (ROM-00 or ROM-01 models) or 1MB (ROM-03 models)
>    expandable to 8MB max.
> 
> Video- RGB (H: 15.7kHz, V: 60Hz or 50Hz); composite via separate jack.
>    40 and 80 column x 24 Text modes (Border, Background, and
>    Text color can be set to 1 of 16), various lower res graphics
>    modes in 6-16 colors, standard 320 x 200 x 16 color and
>    640 x 200 x 4 color Super-res modes (individual scan line
>    palette selection allows good match to PC 320 x 200 x 256 color
>    displays)
> 
> Audio- 'old Apple' bit-toggle sound + Ensoniq with 64k for sound
>    synthesis through up to 8 multiplexed channels. Base system
>    outputs monophonic mix of all sounds through a stereo jack (the
>    left & right leads connect to a single source). Standard additions
>    are a Stereo Board (de-mpx to 2 channels) and Analog input board
>    for digitizing and recording sound samples.
> 
> Diskette drives- up to two 5.25" (140k) and two 3.5" (800k) drives on
>    a daisy chain
> 
> Hard disk- none on base system; Slot plug-ins allow a variety of SCSI
>    and IDE hard drives to be used
> 
> CD-ROM, Zip Drive, Tape backup- none on base system; Slot plug-in SCSI
>    interface allows attaching a variety of units.
> 
> Keyboard and mouse- connected via Apple Desktop Bus chain to which
>    other ADB devices (e.g. a trackball) may be added
> 
> Serial I/O- up to 56k baud standard serial at Printer and Modem ports
> 
> Game Port- support for up to two joysticks or other controllers
>   (joysticks are variable resistance types and are compatible across II
>    series; they are not compatible with PC, C-64, etc.)
> 
> > Also age of the various Apple II's and
> > it's derivatives.
> >
> 
>      Most Apple II and II+ computers originate from 1979-1981; IIe's
> start a year or so later. IIc's and IIgs's start around the mid-80's.
> The ROM-03 GS (or "ROM 3" if you're a purist) arrived in 1989. Enhanced
> IIe's, IIc+, and IIgs models were produced into the early 90's.
> 
> 
> > Is the Apple II even remotely similar in design principle to the early
> > Macintosh range ?
> >
> 
>  ....
> 
>      Versus, say, an IBM 1620, sure. In the context of the major design
> issues of the time, most observes would say they differ greatly.
> 
>      Mac was a compact, sealed box with a built-in higher resolution
> monochrome display, a separate keyboard and mouse, and it featured a
> graphical user interface (e.g. like Windows 95).
> 
>      Apple II was an open-box system with Slots to add important new
> capabilities (e.g. more memory, disk controller, serial interface,
> MockingBoard sound, etc.). At the time of the first Mac, graphics were
> lower resolution; but, they could be in color. Apple II systems were
> seldom compact and varied somewhat from user to user (though not in
> anything like the way today's PC's vary).
> 
>      The Mac was a relatively expensive 'yuppie machine' package which
> the user was not supposed to understand or modify. It was a use 'as is'
> computer oriented toward what, today, would be called 'personal
> assistance' applications. Mac was never much of a game machine.
> Basically, it was the first 'notebook computer'.

> Rubywand


Your assessment of the Macs was true up to about 1987 or so, around when
the Mac II was released.  The Mac II-series, Mac Quadras, and Power Macs
were and are quite expandable and accessible.  And in general, Macs are
not so much "yuppie machines" as they are A/V (desktop video) and
desktop publishing machines, used in video production houses and imaging
services and print shops.  I have a good deal of first hand experience
with a lot of that end of things.

Jeff Lemke