Re: Mitac Apple 2 clone?

[mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon)]

Jules wrote:

>"Ernest" <leucoplast@seanet.NOSPAM.com> wrote in message
>news:<fjLDa.1138848$S_4.1170852@rwcrnsc53>...
>> Very interesting. I've heard of or seen pictures of this system before but
>I
>> cannot place or remember where. It's just on the tip of my memory.
>
>At least someone's heard of it! :-)
>
>> Looking at the keyboard, I would guess that if it IS an Apple II clone, it
>> would be Apple II/II+ compatible rather than IIe compatible... however, it
>> does have those four function keys to the left. Also, those slots look like
>> Apple compatible slots. How does the slot expander attach? Does that cable
>> plug into a connector on the computer or is there a piece that goes between
>> the grey cable and the computer?
>
>Straight into the back of the computer - unless I'm missing something
>that sits inbetween. I really don't know why there are two of the slot
>expander units; it isn't like I can use more than one at once anyway.
>
>The connector between the slot expander and the computer is 60 way;
>the bus connectors themselves are standard 50 way. Bus slots are
>labelled 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7.
>
>> Have you opened it up to see what's inside? Does it use a 6502 processor? I
>> would be curious to see some pics of the internals.
>
>I opened it after I'd taken those last shots, but I just opened it
>again and got a couple of photos:
>
>  http://www.moosenet.demon.co.uk/temp/apple2/mitac_internal01.jpg
>
>The 6502 is on the left in that shot; to the right is a Z80 - no idea
>if it's a built-in Z80 card for CP/M applications or whether it's just
>used to control the machine's I/O. The 3 ROMs together on the board
>are 2764 chips; the ROM on its own is a 2716. Memory is 8 4864 chips.

So there's a built-in Microsoft Softcard-style Z80 capability, no
doubt in "slot 4".

>Beneath the main board there's a smaller board:
>
>  http://www.moosenet.demon.co.uk/temp/apple2/mitac_internal02.jpg
>
>Which has the logic for the disk and printer interfaces and the
>80-column output. The ROM is another 2764, plus there's a 6116 chip
>(static RAM from memory). The large 40-pin IC is labelled HD46505RP-2
>/ HD68B45P whatever that does.

Sounds like a 6845 video controller for built-in 80-column card capability.

-michael

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