On January 1st, 1984, Apple Computer Inc. introduced the world to the Lisa 2, a personal computer that was part of the company’s Lisa series. The computer, which was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple, was met with great excitement upon its release, with its price starting at a steep $3,495.
The Lisa 2 featured a 5 MHz Motorola 68000 processor, a 12-inch CRT display, 512 KB of RAM, a 10 MB hard drive, and a 400 KB 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. These specs were considered top-of-the-line at the time, and the computer was marketed as a high-end machine for businesses and professionals.
However, Lisa 2’s reign was short-lived. On January 1st, 1985, Apple discontinued the computer and rebranded it as the Macintosh XL. The discontinuation of the Lisa 2 marked the end of an era for Apple, as the company shifted its focus to the Macintosh line of computers.
Today, the Apple Lisa 2 is 40 years old and considered a vintage computer. Although it may have had a brief stint on the market, it left a lasting impact on the technology industry and cemented Apple’s position as a leader in personal computing.
Apple Lisa 2 Details
| Introduced | January 1, 1984 |
| Discontinued | January 1, 1985 |
| Model Identifier | 2 |
| Order Number | Unknown |
| Original Price | $3,495 – $5,495 |
| Colors | Beige |
| Weight | 55 Ibs. 24.947 KG |
| Dimensions | 13.8” H x 18.5” W x 15.2” D 35.05 cm H x 46.99 cm W x 38.6 cm D |
Tech Specs
Processor
| Processor | Motorola 68000 |
| Processor Speed | 5 MHz |
| Architecture | 16-bit |
| Number of Cores | 1 |
| System Bus | 5 MHz |
Memory
| Storage | Built-in 10 MB hard disk drive (Lisa 2/10) optional external 5 or 10 MB Apple ProFile hard disk drive (Lisa 2 and Lisa 2/5) |
| Built-in Memory | 512 KB |
| Maximum Memory | 2 MB |
| Memory Slots | 2 – Apple Lisa memory boards |
| ROM | 16 KB |
Display
| Built-in Display | 12” |
| Resolutions | 720 x 364 or 608 x 432 (with Screen Kit) at 60 Hz |
Connections
| Modem | None |
| Serial | 2 – RS-232C 1 – DE-9 |
| Parallel | 1 – D-25 (used by built-in hard drive on Lisa 2/10) |
| Audio Out | 1 – Built-in speaker |
| Display | 1 – RCA composite video output |
Expansion
| Slots | 3 – Apple Lisa expansion slots |
| Media | Built-in 400 KB 3.5-inch floppy disk drive |
Accessories
| Keyboard | 76-key Selectric-style, detached keyboard with 10-key pad |
Software
| Software | Lisa Office System 3.1 |
Power
| Maximum Continuous Power | 150 W |
| Line Voltage | 115 or 230V AC |
Further Reading and References
- Apple Lisa II Personal Computer – Smithsonian Institution
- Apple Lisa 2 – MyOldComputers
- Today in Apple history: Apple launches ill-fated Lisa project – CultOfMac
- The Legacy of the Apple Lisa Personal Computer: An Outsider’s View – David T. Craig
- Apple Lisa I/O processor firmware, partially reverse-engineered – GitHub
- Documentary: Revealing the Truth Behind Apple’s Lisa Computer’s Demise
Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various 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 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: March 7, 2023
