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

[dmasters@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Dan Masterson)]

Tony Cianfaglione (ab616@cfn.cs.dal.ca) wrote:
: 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

Early II's and +'s had a straight line keyboard.  Later version had a
contoured keyboard with much better sculptured keys for better 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)

Wasn't that 40x24?

: :  280 x 192, 4 color (plus black and white)

Early II's only had 4 colors (including black and white)

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

Early Disk ]['s could only handle DOS 3.2 (remember the BASIC disk that
came with the DOS 3.3 System Master?)

: : 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.

(Platinum //e's had a built in keypad [much like the gs])

: : 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.

Actually around 2.4 mhz

: : 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.

DOS 3.2 software will run on a gs without conversion.  There is a program
on the DOS 3.3 System Master called 'Basic 13' (or something like that)
Run it, stick in your DOS 3.2 disk and go. I know this works on a GS as
I've done it.

: :            ][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...

Biggest exception to this is running any II software on a //c.  Mainly
games that have copy protection, though there are patches and updates that
have been put out for some of those.

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