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

[dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Dave Althoff)]

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.

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

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)

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
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.

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

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+
           ][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...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.
-- 
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