Re: New Apple II....

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

In article <dp78045@pro-palmtree.cts.com>,
Nicholas Kelly <nkelly@pro-palmtree.cts.com> wrote:
> What I don't understand with all this debate about Apple II GS-X, etc. is
> why the machine would need to have all these extras. 

> Apple came out with the IIe card for the LC that was essentially one chip
> if I remember.

Not exactly.  The board makes use of the "Mega II" chip, which
contains most of the functions of the II+ and IIe motherboard.  It
combines the functions of the MMU and IOU chips in the IIe/IIc,
together with some additional logic.  You still need a processor, RAM,
ROM and some more support hardware to make a full Apple IIe.

The Mega II is also used in the IIgs, and on the Video Overlay Card.

However, note that the Mega II is only ONE of a set of about ten
custom ICs on the IIgs motherboard (not to mention all the other
hardware, such as RAM, Ensoniq, ADB controller, serial chip, etc.)

It may be possible to use newer technology (higher gate counts) to
reduce the chip count of the IIgs motherboard by merging the function
of several of the ASICs.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand