Apple II - The computer that changes the world
 |
| Apple //c, and the similar looking Apple //c+, |
| are the compact Apple II model. |
Apple II is once the most popular computer in the world. It is also the computer that introduces me to the world of computing, and I have used almost every version of Apple II (except for the Apple //c+) in my life.
Except for Apple IIGS which uses the 65816 16-bit processor, all the computers in the Apple II series use 8 bit 6502/65c02 8-bit processors. They typically have from 16K (not megabytes!) to 128K of memory. Apple IIGS, however, has 256K of memory by default (the latest model, also called the ROM 3 model, has 1MB), and expandable to 8MB of memory.
It is the first personal computer to spot colour graphics, and have the resolution of 280x192 with 6 colours in hires mode, or 560x192 with 16 colours in double hires mode. Both graphics mode has some limitations that you cannot put certain colour next to another. Apple IIGS supports two new super hires modes - 640x200 with 4 colours, and 320x200 with 16 colours, both from a colour palette of 4,096 colours. It is possible to display up to 3,200 colours at one time.
 |
| Apple IIe is the most popular Apple II model. |
| The latest version spots a platinum colour. |
All Apple II uses only one bit sound, except for Apple IIGS, which has a build in sound processor called Ensoniq, and has its dedicated 64K sound RAM. Apple IIGS still sounds better than many of the computers you can buy today.
None of the Apple II comes with built in harddisk, or even internal floppy drive (the Apple //c series is an exception. Apple //c comes with internal 5.25" drive, while the Apple //c+ comes with 3.5" drive). You can connect the drives using a hardware card that plugs into one of its slots.
Apple II emulation
Although Apple II has been discontinued, you can still enjoy its software via emulation. There are fine emulators for the Macintosh, Windows and UNIX computers. I only recommend those I think is the best. For Apple II emulation on the Macintosh, I highly recommend Bernie ][ The Rescue for both Apple II and Apple IIGS emulation. If you are using Macintosh computer and want to know the complete list of Apple II emulators, you can find them here.
Apple II Emulators
Apple IIGS Emulators
Apple II software
I have written some Apple II and Apple IIGS software, you can get them from my software page. You would need to have an emulator to run the software.
Back to home page