Re: Happy 13th Birthday to the Apple IIgs

[dempson@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

Bryan Villados <news001@macgeek.org> wrote:

> On the other side, I can make an argument that a IIc is QUITE different
> from a IIc+. For starters, the IIc+ can run an Apple 3.5 Drive, is much
> faster, and has extended features like ADB.

Since when did the IIc+ have ADB?  :-)

The only real differences between a IIc+ and earlier IIc models are:

- Built-in 3.5" drive instead of 5.25", and support for an external
Apple 3.5 Drive.

- Accelerator (basically a 4 MHz ZIP chip expanded out into separate
components instead of being bonded into a single module).

- Full power supply in the machine instead of power converter and
external brick.

- Mini-DIN-8 serial port connectors instead of DIN-5 (no internal
changes in the serial port hardware, however).

- Loss of headphone socket and volume knob.

I can't think of any others.

This really isn't much more significant than earlier upgrades (adding
support for the UniDisk 3.5, memory expansion slot).

Another factor which limits the significance of the IIc+ is that it was
only sold in the USA (and Canada?)  All other models were sold
internationally.


Having said that, I would agree that the IIc+ is a more significant
upgrade than the ROM 3 IIgs.

Having said _that_, however, I'd still say that the "Apple IIgs with 1MB
of memory" (aka ROM 3) is the last model of the Apple II line, since it
was distinguished by Apple as a different model.


There is one Apple II which hasn't been mentioned yet, which is arguably
the last model: the IIe emulation card for the Mac LC family, which was
released in 1990.


-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand