Apple II
The computer family from Apple that pioneered the microcomputer revolution. It was widely used in schools and home and still made until 1994. Using an 8-bit 6502 microprocessor running at 1 MHz and an 8-bit bus, it ran the Apple DOS and ProDOS operating systems. AppleSoft BASIC was built into ROM. With a Z80 microprocessor board plugged in, Apple IIs could run CP/M programs, which were the predominant desktop business software of the time.
Apple II
Introduced in 1977, the Apple II came with 4KB of RAM and hooked up to a TV and cassette tape recorder. A floppy disk was available in 1978. In 1979, an enhanced II+ came out with 48K and a screen resolution of 280x192x6. In 1983, the "e"nhanced Apple IIe was introduced with four cursor keys (not two) and 128K of RAM. In 1984, the IIc portable was launched with a sleek design.
Apple III
Introduced in 1980 for the business market, it was not compatible enough with the Apple II to ever catch on.
Apple IIGS
Introduced in 1986 and discontinued in 1992, the faster IIGS added enhanced graphics and sound (GS). It ran Apple II software, but required GS software to use the new features. Specs: 2.8 MHz 16-bit 65C816 CPU, 320x200x256 screen, 15 sounds, AppleTalk.
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| Original Apple II |
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| This was the very first Apple II in 1978. A TV set was often used as a monitor in the beginning. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.) |
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| Apple IIe |
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| The IIe was more streamlined and included an extended keyboard with separate numeric keypad and "all four" cursor keys. (Image courtesy of Apple Inc.) |
| (computer) | Apple II - An 8-bit personal computer with a 6502
processor, from Apple Computer. It was invented by Steve Wozniak and was very popular from about 1980 until the first
several years of MS-DOS IBM PCs. | |