Re: ][c version????

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article Dave Morrison <deth@healey.com.au> writes...

>I've just had my ][c open today and I was wondering if anyone has any input
>on this.
>
>Firstly....after speaking to quite a few people, it doesnt seem that anyone
>has a keyboard arrangment like this ][c. Differences seem to be:
>
>The return key is vertical rather than horizontal.
>
>The ~` key is situated just to the left of the return key while on others it
>is next to the caps lock.
>
>The caps lock is the size of two normal keys.
>
>The left shift key is smaller and has the |\ key next to it (on right) rather
>than above the return key.

    There is nothing unusual about the above, it is simply the ISO European
keyboard layout. All Apple IIc's sold outside of North America consist of
a configuration like you describe above (large caps-lock, inverted return
key, one small shift key, etc). I'm fairly sure the U.K. and Australia were
shipped the same keyboards, in fact if you press the 'Keyboard' switch, the
only difference is you'll get is a British pound symbol replacing the "#"
numeric symbol.

>Also....from what I know the ][c was released April 84

    That's correct.

>yet the motherboard is dated 83.

    Nothing unusual about that either. The motherboard design obviously began
long before the Apple IIc was introduced, so the copyright date usually will
reflect the year the near-final design was completed. I haven't opened either
of my Apple IIc's for awhile, but I seem to remember seeing a 1983 date on
the logic bord. You'll notice early Apple IIe boards have a 1982 copyright
date, even though they were released in 1983.

>It also has a sticker on the board with ][c-RC 1st #11 printed on it if this
>means anything.

    I have No idea, though my best guess would be some sort of manufacturing
batch code or something to indicate where it was assembled. I've seen some
unusual stickers on some of my Apple IIe's and IIc's before.

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca