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Info for apple2


====== Apple ][ (1977) ======




===== Features =====

* CPU: MOS 6502 1MHz
* Memory: RAM 4kB expandable to 48kB, 12kB ROM
* Screen: 6 colors at 280x192, 4-bit color at 40x48
* Data path: 8-bit
* I/O Ports: Video out (composite), 8 expansion slots, Tape recorder, Paddles
* Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard - only supports uppercase letters
* Built In Language: Integer Basic



===== Usage =====

Requires full keyboard emulation. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the
scroll_lock key.

Upon booting, you'll get the ROM monitor prompt ('*'), from which you can examine/modify/run at different memory locations.
(Note: you would normally need to press RESET to get to the prompt, but this doesn't seem to be necessary in MESS.)

From the Monitor, press control-B then ENTER to get to Integer BASIC, which uses the greater than prompt ('>').

You can invoke the mini-assembler by entering 'F666G' at the Monitor.

To backspace, use the left arrow key. The "Backspace" key is mapped to the Apple ][ "DEL".

== Keyboard ==

1! 2" 3# 4$ 5% 6& 7' 8( 9) 0 :* -= RESET


ESC Q W E R T Y U I O P@ REPT RETURN

BELL
CTRL A S D F G H J K L ;+ <- ->


SHIFT Z X C V B N^ M ,< .> /? SHIFT


POWER SPACEBAR



===== History and Trivia =====

The Apple ][ is an improved version of the Apple 1 kit computer first released in 1977. Along with the TRS-80 and the PET, it constituted one of the "second-generation" of computers, aimed at the general user rather than the specialized hobbyist.

The Apple ][ featured a beige plastic case, color graphics, and seven (eight?) expansion slots. It included a version of BASIC called "Integer BASIC" on the ROM which came with the machine.

It was an excellent home gaming platform. It shipped with two game paddles (various models were used) and supports up to four. It also included a built-in speaker.

The cassette interface required a cassette recording deck and was quite finicky. The treble and bass on the cassette deck had to be fiddled with in just the right way.

Apple ][ was the very first commercial success of the Apple Computer Company.

Because Steve Wozniak wanted to demonstrate his Breakout game with the new Apple ][, he decided to add colour, sound and minimum paddle support to the Apple 1's heir.

The Apple ][ came with 4 KB RAM, but it was possible to add 4 KB or 16 KB RAM chips. Thus, the system could have memory in the following sizes: 4K, 8K, 12K,16K, 20K, 24K, 32K, 36K, or a full 48K. This was one of the strong points of the Apple ][: from the beginning, it was
designed with expansion in mind. The 8 expansion slots were further proof of that - users could expand their system easily, just by plugging cards into the slots.

The ROM included the monitor, a 6502 disassembler, 'Sweet 16' a 16-bit CPU emulator and the Integer Basic written by Wozniak in machine language, assembled by hand on paper! Not having to load a language from tape or disk to start programing was also a significant advantage over competitors. Even the innovative plastic case proved to be an important feature to attract customers.

Just a few months after the Apple ][ presentation at the First West Coast Computer Fair in April 1977, Apple received about three hundred orders for the Apple ][, over a hundred more than the total number of Apple-1's sold.

The Apple ][ was followed in 1979 by the Apple II+, which brought some enhancements.

== Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct? ==

"][", "II", and "//" tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.

"][" is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The "//" usage is generally associated with the "c" and newer "e" models.

The generally preferred machine designations are:

* Apple ][ or Apple II for pre-][+ models
* Apple ][+ or Apple II+
* Apple IIe for non-enhanced IIe computers
* Apple //e for 128k-enhanced IIe computers
* Apple //c
* Apple IIc+
* Apple IIgs or GS or best (if you have the fonts) ||GS



===== Links =====

* Apple History -- http://www.apple-history.com/
* Apple ][ History -- http://apple2history.org/history/ah03.html
* Apple ][ Emulator Resources Guide -- http://www.cs.ruu.nl/wais/html/na-dir/apple2/emulators-faq/part1.html
* Apple II - Apple II gs (A lot of documentations here!) -- http://www.apple-iigs.info/home.htm
* Apple2.org (pictures of Apple II and other related hardware, articles, the Apple ][ FAQ, and lots more) -- http://www.apple2.org/
* Applefritter (Excellent site about all Apple models,clones,prototypes,etc...) -- http://www.applefritter.com/
* Caltech Apple II archive -- http://apple2.tffenterprises.com/apple2/
* Forever 1970..80..90 (Very complete information for each model) -- http://perso.wanadoo.fr/fabrice.montupet/
* Iowa universiry Apple II archive -- http://ground.icaen.uiowa.edu/apple2/
* www.apple2clones.com -- http://www.apple2clones.com/
* Apple ][ at vintage-computer.com -- http://www.vintage-computer.com/apple_ii.shtml
* Apple ][ at old-computers.com -- http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=68



===== Other Emulators =====

* Dapple - Apple II (II+, IIe) emulator for DOS and Unix with C source code -- http://sourceforge.net/projects/dapple/
* AppleWin - A great apple 2+ and apple 2e emulator for windows -- http://applewin.berlios.de/
* Apple Oasis - Emulates Apple IIe system including hard disk, clock, CP/M card, etc. -- http://www.geocities.com/APL24WIN/index.html
* Catakig - MacOS -- http://www.radix.net/~cklipsch/ctkgdoc/
* Bernie ][ the rescue - Mac & BeOS -- http://www.bernie.gs/Bernie/
* YAE, Yet another Apple ][ Emulator - Unix -- http://quark.netfront.net:6502/




Generated on Sun Jul 19 10:17:28 2009