Re: The apple 2, the PC, and the clones

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

guyvf@usa.net (guy-jin) wrote:

>Been reading up on computer history, and found out about how the PC
>clones got started. Some company named pheonix managed to make a legal
>BM PC clone. My question is, why did no one ever make a legal apple 2
>clone?

Someone did.  The company Video Technology (they make cordless
phones now) cloned the Apple IIe/IIc legally and released their
compatibles until the Laser brand.  They were beautiful machines.

I have a Laser 128EX/2 myself:

1MB expanded memory
3.6x Apple II CPU speed
Built-in 800k 3.5" drive
80 columns
DHR graphics 512x192 or 16 colors
RGB monitor interface or CGA interface
MIDI interface
Serial ports
Parallel port
Mouse connector
Game port
Apple II compatible expansion slot
Clock with Ni-Cad battery
A PC-like BIOS which was battery backed to save your settings
SmartPort drive connector supporting 2 3.5" drives 800k each,
     2 5.25" drives, and a hard disk drive simultaneously

The Laser ROM ("BIOS") was cleanroom engineered so it was
completely legal.