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On September 15th, 1986, Apple introduced a new addition to their Apple II series – the Apple IIGS. This personal computer was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple from 1987 to 1992, and it was a game changer for the industry.
The Apple IIGS was equipped with a powerful 2.8 MHz WDC 65C816 processor, 256 KB of RAM, and 128 KB of ROM. It also featured a built-in Custom Video Graphics Controller, making it a great option for graphics-intensive tasks. Additionally, users had the option to add an Apple 3.5, Apple 5.25, or UniDisk floppy disk drive for even more storage and flexibility.
At its launch, the Apple IIGS had a starting price of $999, which was considered a great value for the specs and features it offered. However, despite its popularity, the computer was discontinued on December 1, 1992.
Today, the Apple IIGS is 36 years old and still holds a special place in the hearts of many Apple fans and computer enthusiasts. It was a pioneer in its time and helped pave the way for the advancements in technology that we enjoy today.
Apple IIGS Details
| Introduced | September 15, 1986 |
| Discontinued | December 1, 1992 |
| Order Number | A0012LL/A |
| Original Price | $999 |
| Colors | Platinum |
| Weight | 8.72 Ibs. 3.955 KG |
| Dimensions | 4.6” H x 11.2” W x 13.7” D 11.69 cm H x 28.45 cm W x 34.80 cm D |
Apple IIGS Tech Specs
| Processor | WDC 65C816 |
| Processor Speed | 2.8 MHz |
| Architecture | 16-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 1 MHz |
| Cache | None |
| Coprocessor | None |
Memory
| Storage | None |
| Built-in Memory | 256 KB (Revision 1-2) 1.125 MB (Revision 3) |
| Maximum Memory | 8.125 MB |
| Memory Slots | 1 – 44-pin Memory Expansion Card |
| Minimum Speed | Unknown |
| ROM | 128 KB (Revision 1-2) 256 KB (Revision 3) |
Graphics
| Graphics Card | Custom Video Graphics Controller (VGC) |
| Graphics Memory | Unknown |
| Display Connection | 1 – RCA for composite video output, 1 – DB-15 |
| External Resolution | 320 × 200 (16 colors per line, 256 colors per screen) 640 × 200 (4 or more colors per line, 128 colors per screen) 560 × 192 (16 colors) 80 × 48 (6 colors) 280 x 192 (6 colors) 40 × 48 (16 colors) |
Connections
| Ethernet | None |
| Modem | None |
| ADB | 1 |
| Serial | 2 – RS-422 1 – DE-9 |
| Floppy Port | 1 – DB-19 |
| Game | 1 – internal 16-pin GAME I/O 1 – external DE-9 |
| Audio In | None |
| Audio Out | 1 – 3.5-mm analog output jack 1 – Built-in speaker |
| Display | 1 – RCA for composite video output 1 – DB-15 |
Expansion
| Slots | 7 – 50-pin Apple II peripheral |
| Media | Optional Apple 3.5, Apple 5.25, or UniDisk floppy disk drive |
Software
| Original OS | Apple ProDOS 16 or Apple GS/OS |
| Firmware | Applesoft BASIC |
Power
| Backup Battery | 3.6 V lithium |
| Maximum Continuous Power | 60 W |
| Line Voltage | 107 – 132V AC |
Further Reading and References
- Apple IIGS – Wikipedia
- 10-The Apple IIGS – Apple II History
- Thoughts on the Apple IIGS – Low End Mac
- Apple IIGS computer – Old Computers
- Older Software Downloads (Apple) – Internet Archive
- Apple IIɢs – Retro Viator
- Apple IIGS Repair – iFixit
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Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from a variety of sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without any express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.
Last updated: April 9, 2023