On September 1st, 1980, Apple introduced the Apple Monitor III to the world as part of their Apple Monitor series. This monochrome monitor was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple from 1980 to 1985, and it quickly became a popular choice for the Apple II Plus, Apple IIe, Apple IIc, and even later models like the Apple IIc Plus and the Apple IIGS.
The Apple Monitor III boasts a 12” CRT display with a white or green phosphor, up to 40 fL brightness, and a resolution of up to 700 TV lines. It also features an RCA-style jack connector, making it compatible with a wide range of Apple devices.
However, on September 1st, 1985, Apple discontinued the Apple Monitor III and replaced it with the AppleColor Composite Monitor. Despite its discontinuation, the Apple Monitor III remains a beloved piece of technology for Apple enthusiasts, and it’s hard to believe that it’s already 43 years old!
Although the Apple Monitor III may not be the most advanced monitor on the market today, it holds a special place in the hearts of those who remember its release and use. It’s a reminder of the early days of Apple and the progress that the company has made in the years since.
Apple Monitor III Details
| Introduced | September 1, 1980 – 43 years ago |
| Discontinued | September 1, 1985 – 38 years ago |
| Time on the Market | 60 months (5 years) |
| Order Number | A3M0006 (White phosphor) A3M0039 (Green phosphor) |
| Original Price | Unknown |
| Colors | Beige |
| Weight | 16.5 Ibs. 7.484 KG |
| Dimensions | 10.6” H x 17.2” W x 12.5” D 26.92 cm H x 43.68 cm W x 31.75 cm D |
System Requirements
Display Specs
| Type | CRT |
| Size | 12″ |
| Viewable Area | 10.5” |
| Colors | White or Green phosphor |
| Brightness | 40 fL – A3M0006 20 fL – A3M0039 |
| Resolutions | 700 TV lines at the center, 500 TV lines at the corners |
| Text Display | 80 characters per row, 24 rows |
| Viewing Angle | N/A |
| Contrast Ratio | N/A |
| Response Time | N/A |
| Pixel Pitch | N/A |
| Pixel Density | N/A |
Connections
| Connection | RCA-style phono jack |
| Audio | None |
| Camera | None |
| Ports | None |
Power
| Maximum Continuous Power | 45 W |
Further Reading and References
- Apple Monitor III – Wikipedia
- Apple III Owner’s Guide (PDF) – 1000BiT
- Apple Monitor III – Apple Rescue of Denver (Image 1 Source)
- Apple monitor III | 102735386 | Computer History Museum
- Apple III Computer with ProFile, Monitor III, Silentype, and Disk III – Apple Museum Poland (Image 2 Source)
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