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

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

In article dalloff@freenet.columbus.oh.us (Dave Althoff) writes...
>
>WARNING:  This is from memory...

..And thus could some minor corrections and/or additional info. ;-)

>Apple ][:  ca. 1977
>Apple ][+:  ca. 1979
[snip]
> 40 x 48, 16 color (including black and white)
> 280 x 192, 4 color (plus black and white)

	In the original Apple ][ (revision 0) Hi-Res graphics were 
280x192x4, but with the Revision 1 and up, an additional 4 colors were
added -- blue, orange, black-2, white-2. Technically 280x192x8 is incorrect 
though, if you keep in mind the extra black and white were mostly identical, 
and due to color placement restrictions, it was more like 140x192x6 (green, 
violet, blue, orange, black, white). In monochrome, you get 280x192.

>Apple ][e (ca. 1982):

[Note, actual release of Apple //e was January 1983]

>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.

	Double-Hi-Res required a Rev B or greater motherboard, with
an extended 80 columns card (additional 64k). Again, like the Hi-Res
mode in the Apple ][/][+, the resolution varied depending on whether 
you were in monochrome or color. The 560x192 is correct for monochrome,
though it was closer to 140x192x16 for color.

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

	Basically: An Apple IIc with internal powersupply, 800k internal
3.5 drive, 4 MHz clock speed, standard serial ports (mini-DIN 8), support
of Apple 3.5 drives (no longer just UniDisk 3.5) through smartport, internal
modem connector (never supported to my knowledge), keyboard layout changed to
match IIGS, removal of headphone-sound jack and 80/40 columns switch. Volume
dial moved from left-side of machine and replaced 80/40 columns switch as a
sliding switch. 

>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.

	The Apple IIGS is very different from any other Apple II, in fact
one could almost say it's not an Apple II. It's really two computers rolled
into one package: a souped up Apple //e in emulation-mode, a kind of hybrid
cross of the Macintosh, Apple II and Amiga in it's native mode. The IIgs
runs most 8-bit Apple II software all thanks to a little chip called the
Mega II. This chip is basically an entire Apple IIe computer shrunk down 
into a single 1" x 1" chip. The computer is powered by the 65C816 16-bit
processor that runs at roughly 2.6 MHz, although can be replaced by an 
accelerator and run as high as 14-16 MHz today. It has a 24-bit address
bus, though the GS itself can only support 8MB of RAM. Graphic modes on
the GS are radically different from those of it's 8-bit cousins, SuperHiRes
allowed it to display 320x200x16 or 640x200x4 out of a 4096 possible colors.
By using multiple palettes, it can display (limited) 320x200x256 or x3200,
640x200x128. The 640x200 mode can display 16 pure colors, though pixel 
placement is restricted in this mode (not talking about dithering). The
GS also has a unique 'Fillmode' graphic animation technic, where it can
display 60 FPS on a stock machine. As for sound, it has an Ensoniq 5503
DOC with 32 oscillator voices with 64k dedicated RAM. It has a toolbox
like the Mac, built-in system clock, eight internal slots, seven ports.
Much more, though I'm beginning to babble here...sorry. :)

>--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Mitchell Spector
m_spect@pavo.concordia.ca / spector@vax2.concordia.ca