Hi, Everyone--
I have some questions about the Apple IIe that I can't seem to find the answers. I have tried Google, and still haven't found what I was looking for:
1. Can all versions of the IIe (regular, Enhanced, Platinum) do the same things, or do each of the revisions allow the use to do more?
2. Can all versions run AppleWorks 3 (3 1/2" and 5 1/4" versions?)
3. Are all three capable of using the Uther card?
4. Do all versions come with 80-column cards?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Mike
You should look up Apple II computer family on Wikipedia, as I'm pretty sure that it will give you the answer to question number one, and will certainly fill out a lot of background info for you.
1) No, the regular one used a 6502 for it's CPU, the Enhanced and Platinum versions used a 65c02, which gave the assembly language more instructions, ran slightly faster and allowed for a low end "interrupt" function. The other part of the "enhancement" was the changing of four of the ROM chips with upgraded functions, more font characters known as "Mouse Text", a subtle change of the boot-up screen characters from "Apple ][e" to "Apple //e" and some other stuff that I forget.
2) For Appleworks 3, I think that you need the enhancement, because it used some Mouse Text. Don't forget that a IIGS, //c, and //c+ are also very similar in functionality to an enhanced //e. In the //c and //c+ you get a built in 64k/80 column expansion card (see note #4).
3) Don't know. But assembly language programmers like the enhanced instruction set of the 65c02 processor, so I'm guessing the enhancement is required, but I don't know.
4) I don't know that any of them came with 80 column cards, the ][e and //e didn't, but as they were mostly sold in educational settings, I'm guessing that the platinum //e's did. Here's an important tip; if you're shopping around for the standard expansion card for use with Appleworks and/or maximum functionality from a //e, get the 64k/80 column card! They sold 80 column cards, 64k cards, and 64k/80 column (combo) cards. The first two are a waste of your time, but they still sold them back in the day, so they are floating out there. To make AppleWorks behave well you really need the full 128k and the 80 column card. Plus if it's an enhanced unit, that means you get Double Hi Resolution Graphics capability.
Share and enjoy!
Mutant_Pie
My take:
Each can do a little more than the previous. mutant_pie talked a little about the important bits - 6502 vs. 65c02, enhancements to ROMs, etc.
Not sure about that one. I don't see why not, though.
Yes.
_Come_ with? Not exactly. The earliest ones had the 80 column card as an option, but each is compatible with the 80 column card in slot 3. There were a couple of different versions of the card, too... one with an extra 64k of memory, and one without.
My take:
Most of the questions have been answered already, but to get a full picture and timeline for the IIe go to:
http://apple2history.org/
There you will find all kinds of good stuff.
The only things that need to be addressed are:
- The Auxilliary Slot: This slot and Slot 3 were basically the same thing, except there were different types of 80 column cards. Some could be place in Slot 3 diectly and others need to use the Aux Slot.
- 3.5 and 5.25 Drives: If you have the cards, you should be able to use the drives. Usually (according to the IIe Technical Reference) Slot 5 for the 3.5 and Slot 6 for the 5.25. There are of course various combinations to this. lol
- The Uther Card: I have not bought one yet, but according to the site you should have no problems.
Hope this was helpfull.
Actually, all of the answers have been very helpful.
Thank you to all who answered.
Take Care,
Mike