Re: How many...models/types: APPLE ][ computers?

[ab616@cfn.cs.dal.ca (Tony Cianfaglione)]

Dave Althoff (dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us) wrote:
: WARNING:  This is from memory...

: Apple ][:  ca. 1977
: Starts up with screen full of question marks and random characters.  Has
: Integer BASIC in ROM.  May have Applesoft on ROM card, or may have 16k
: "Language System".  System size 16k-->48k+language card nominal.  Not common.

Also: Didn't have Autostart ROM.

: Apple ][+:  ca. 1979
: Starts up with "APPLE ][".  Applesoft in ROM.  Usually 48k, often with 16k
: Language Card.

Also: 1st model with Autostart ROM.

: BOTH SYSTEMS ABOVE include--
: Slightly undersized keyboard with nice feel
: Upper-case only display (some have been modified to provide lower-case)
: 40-column text display
: Seven peripheral slots 
: 16-pin game port
: Cassette in/out ports
: Color video display with the following graphics modes--
:  40 x 48, 16 color (including black and white)
:  280 x 192, 4 color (plus black and white)

Also used DOS 3.2 13 sectored disks as well as DOS 3.3 16 sectored disks. 

: Most Apple ][/][+ machines are equipped with the cast-iron "Disk ][" 143k
: 5.25" disk drives, or clones of those classics.

: Apple ][e (ca. 1982):
: Comes in several flavors.  The ][e is similar to the ][+, but with a full
: keyboard, lower-case input and display.  All ][e's have 48k memory + 16k
: language system built-in.  Most ][e's have an 80-column display adapter;
: many of these also have a 64k memory expansion.
: All ][e's have the same graphics modes, and peripheral slots, as the ][+,
: but the ][e adds a special slot for the 80-column display, and adds a
: second game port.  Nearly all of the ][e's with memory expansion (NOT the
: 'Rev.A' motherboards) have an additional 560 x 192, 16-color graphics mode.

: Other flavors of the ][e include the Enhanced //e, which has the 65C02
: microprocessor, improved ROM set, and support for Mousetext display
: characters.  The Enhanced //e may also be grey...er...Platinum.

: Apple //c (ca. 1984):
: This is essentially a //e in a smaller box.  The keyboard is equally
: complete with the //e, though smaller and clickier.  The machine was
: intended to be portable, which really just means it has a handle on the
: back.  There are no expansion slots, but there are two serial ports, an
: RF-modulator port (to hook it to a TV set), a game port, and a disk drive

RF modulator is extra add-on, color video out is unprocessed signal.

: port on the back.  The //c also features a built-in 5.25' disk drive.  I'm
: not certain whether this has the 560 x 192 graphic mode or not, but it
: does have the 80-column lower-case display, and 128k memory built in.

Also: 1st version (1984) '255 version' featured PR#7 external boot, no 
expansion smartport capability. Beige colored keys.

Also: 2nd version (1985) '0 version' featured UniDisk ROM added but PR#7 
removed. Beige colored keys.

Also: 3rd version (1986) '3 version' featured memory expansion 
motherboard. Platinum colored keys.

Also: 4th version (1987) '4 version' featured bug fix to terminal mode. 
Platinum colored keys.

: Apple //c+:
: An enhanced version of the //c...I'm afraid I don't know much about it.

Also: 4 mhz speedier processor, '5 version', no headphone jack, option 
key added. Platinum colored keys, 800k 3 1/2" drive replacing internal 
143k 5 1/4" drive. Read "Apple //c+" on bootup. 8 pin minidin plugs 
replace 5 pin din plugs on rear of machine. Power supply built-in.

: Apple IIgs:
: This is a significant upgrade from the ][e.  Some GS's live in ][e cases,
: but most are the boxy little GS cases that look like the modular
: Macintoshes.  Most of the GS's I've seen have the Apple RGB display with
: them, though a composite video output is also available.  The GS is based
: on the 16-bit 65C816 processor, and runs three times as fast as the ][e. 
: These are available in Rom 00, Rom 01, and Rom 03 versions, but others
: here are more well versed in the features of the GS.

: In general, GS software will run on the GS
:            //e software will run on the GS, //e, //c, or //c+
:            //c-c+ software runs on the GS, //e, //c and //c+


The following software hangs up sometimes on enhanced later machines. 13 
sector DOS 3.2 software will not run on later machines without conversion 
and even that sometimes doesn't work.

:            ][e software will run on the GS, //e, //c, //c+, or ][e
:            ][+ software will run on the GS, //e, //c, //c+, ][e, or ][+
:            ][ software will run on virtually any ][.

: Of course, exceptions exist to any rule...