Re: Apple IIgs in a IIe

[Randy Shackelford <shack@onyx.southwind.net>]

Dave Althoff <dalloff@gcfn.org> wrote:

: : Just bought a IIgs in an Apple IIe case from a salvation army for $12.  The
: : bottom label says it is a IIgs upgrade kit and the nameplate says IIgs.  I
: : have never seen one of these machines before.  Does anyone have any more
: : info on it?

: It is exactly as it says.  It's a IIgs, probably a ROM 00 or ROM 01, with
: a ][e case and keyboard.  For a time, Apple offered an upgrade kit for the
: //e which involved replacing the bottom pan (and hence the back panel and
: motherboard) of a ][e with an upgrade bottom pan and IIgs motherboard. 
: Oh, and they supplied a replacement label for the case lid so that the
: machine would identify itself as a IIgs instead of as a //e.  I believe
: this predates the 'platinum' //e, but I may be wrong about that.

It was announced at the same time as normal IIgses. Apple even gave a credit
of $100 to anyone who bought a //e after June 1 '86 or so. That applied to
the grey IIe but since it debuted in '87 I doubt many ever had the upgrade.

: Basically the only parts that remain from the ][e after the conversion are
: the power supply, keyboard, and upper case, so it wasn't a real popular
: conversion.  I think most people who 'upgraded' from the ][e to the IIgs
: just bought IIgs'es instead of horsing around with the upgrade.  That way
: they got that kewl detached keyboard.....  8-)

Not overly cost effective since most people had to ante up for a mouse and
3.5 drives and a monitor as well. It did save upgraders $500 since the kit
cost $500 and a IIgs box was $1000. But early on a fellow could sell a //e
for $500 then plunk down for a new system.

BTW I have one which I built out of parts. I got an entire upgrade kit still
in the box minus logic board for $1 from one of the local dealer's garage 
sales. I have my VOC and SuperSonic sound card w/digitizer in it. I moved
up to a Quadra 840av for A/V stuff so it doesn't come out of the closet very
often any more. It gives you a luggable IIgs since a lot of it is self
contained so that can be handy.
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