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From: supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Apple //c+ questions....
Lines: 137
NNTP-Posting-Host: ladder05.news.aol.com
X-Admin: news@aol.com
Date: 9 Mar 1999 09:16:28 GMT
Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com
References: <19990308210014.13622.00005721@ng-fx1.aol.com>
Message-ID: <19990309041628.19342.00000325@ng37.aol.com>
Xref: news1.icaen comp.sys.apple2:145788

indizgize@aol.com wrote:

>I've recently come into posession of a //c+.   I've never had any of the //c
>family of computers so I figured this would be the best place to start/finish.

Here are the specs for the IIc Plus:

1. Make and Model:
     Apple IIc Plus (Refined and improved Apple IIc)

2. Released:
     1988

3. Follows:
     Apple IIGS

4. Followed by:
     N/A

5. CPU:
     Western Design Center (not to be confused with Western
     Digital, the hard drive maker) 65C02 running at 4Mhz
     with 8k of cache RAM.

6. ROM:
     32k -- Contains Applesoft BASIC and monitor

7. RAM:
     128K standard with built in socket for a 1MB memory
     expansion card

8. Case:
     Standard Apple platinum ABS impact resistant plastic.
     Case has handle that doubles as a prop to raise the
     rear of the computer for easy typing.

9. Keyboard:
     Full layout keyboard without numeric keypad.  Keys
     are sculptured.  Excellent tactile response with a
     slight click on each keystroke.  Switch selectable
     QWERTY or DVORAK layout.

10. Display:
     The Apple IIc Plus has all the graphics modes found on
     the Apple IIc.
        --Text mode: 40x24 and 80x24.  Characters are formed
          by a 7x8 pixel matrix.  Character set has special
          MouseText symbols for drawing the Apple Human
          (also called "Macintosh") Interface in text.
        --Low Resolution: 40x48 pixels in 16 colors.
        --Double Low Resolution: 80x48 pixels in 16 colors.
        --High Resolution: 280x192 pixels in 6 colors
        --Double High Resolution: 560x192 pixels in 16 colors.
        --Combinations/Variations: 4 lines of text mode can
          be mixed with a truncated Low Resolution or High
          Resolution mode graphic.  The text in mixed mode can
          be either 40 column or 80 column.

11. Audio:
     Simple beeper driven by the CPU.  Because the
     Apple IIc Plus operates at 4Mhz, sounds from Apple II
     programs are distorted (but you can cut the speed
     down to 1Mhz on start up for games).

12. Media:
     The Apple IIc Plus has a built in 3.5" double-sided,
     double-density floppy drive with a storage space of 800K.
     The drive and the external daisy-chain floppy "SmartPort"
     supports Apple IIe/IIc UniDisks (3.5" and 5.25" models)
     and Apple IIGS daisy-chain 3.5" drives and Apple 5.25"
     disks.  It is also designed to support the Chinook
     CT-series 20MB to 100MB SmartPort hard drives.  An Apple
     SuperDrive (high density 1.44MB) can be connected, but
     because the IIc Plus has no slot for a SuperDrive
     controller (for the IIe and IIGS), it can only use it
     in 800K mode.

     The SmartPort can support one more 800K 3.5" drive,
     two 140K 5.25" drives, and one 100MB CT100 hard drive
     simultaneously daisy-chained to each other.

13. Input/Output:
     Two RS-232C ports (mini-DIN 8-pin; uses the same serial
                        cables as the IIGS and Macintosh)
     Composite display output
     Video expansion connector for adding an LCD flat panel
          display or external RGB interface
     External Drive "SmartPort" (supports Apple IIGS or
                         UniDisks 3.5" drives, Apple 5.25"
                         drives, and CT-series 20MB to 100MB
                         hard drives)
     Joystick/Mouse port (connecting one precludes connecting
                         the other...mouse is the same mouse
                         used in original Mac to Mac Plus)
     Speaker volume control
     Internal RAM expansion connector for optional 1MB RAM
          card...some Apple IIc Plus shipped with 256K
     Internal modem connector


14. Trivia:
     The Apple IIc Plus unit was a direct response to the
     Laser 128EX/2.  Apple retrofitted the IIc design to
     try to compete with Video Technology's high speed
     Apple II clone.  The retrofitting is evident in the
     design of the motherboard.  The motherboard runs at
     1Mhz, unlike the Laser 128EX/2.  In order to run its
     programs faster, Apple used a 4Mhz 65C02 with 8k of
     high speed SRAM cache and licensed the accelerator
     design from Zip Technologies (makers of the ZipChip
     accelerator for the IIe and IIc).  They built an
     accelerator into a 1Mhz motherboard rather than
     design a faster motherboard from scratch.

     The designers of the Apple IIc Plus originally wanted
     to make a portable IIGS.  Apple's management, bent
     on promoting the Mac, balked at the idea.  At the
     same time, the Laser 128EX/2 made a quick design
     cycle mandatory.  The result is an updated IIc.

     The Apple IIc Plus was the finest Apple 8-bit
     computer ever built, but lack of marketing, the
     apparent devolution in technology compared to the
     16-bit Apple IIGS, and the aggressive sale of the
     Laser 128EX/2 made the IIc Plus the most short
     lived of the Apple II models.

15. Emphasis:
     Small business, Home, Education, Gaming, Programming

16. Net Resources:
     http://ground.isca.uiowa.edu/ (1.7GB A2 knowledge and
                                    software repository)
     http://www.sequential.con/ (Video cards and storage)
     http://www.allelec.com/ (Various hardware and software)
     http://www.hypermall.com/byteworks (OS, programming,
                                    books, and software)