Ohio Scientific Challenger 1P, Apple II+, TRS-80 Model 1, Atari 400, Osborne 1a, System-80/Video Genie/PMC-80, IBM-5150 (IBM-PC), ZX-81, TRS-80 Colour Computer 1, Vic-20, Epson HX-20, BBC-B, ZX-Spectrum, Kaypro II, Eaca Colour Genie, RX-8800, Apple IIe, Atari 800XL, Tandy Model 100, Commodore 64, Commodore 64C, Commodore SX-64, Spectravideo 318, Mattel Aquarius, Sinclair QL, Atari 130XE, Apple IIe Platinum, IBM PS/2 30-286, Compaq SLT/286, Amiga 500, Atari 1040ST, Mac SE/30, Mac Classic II, Mac Powerbook 145B, Generic 386DX-40

Apple IIe

Released early in 1983, the Apple IIe was a natural refinement of that first Apple built way back in 1976 by the young firm of Jobs and Wozniak. Unlike many micros released in 1983, which were pitching their services at the home OR business, the Apple IIe followed the style of its earlier siblings and was a general purpose machine. However Apple was never into the cost slashing that characterised Commodore at the time. The Apple IIe wasn't cheap! In in New Zealand the price was such that it was all but excluded from the home market.

Despite being near the high-end of the micro market, the Apple IIe was popular all over the world. Such was the legacy of its predecessors those who embraced this computer became avid, if not quasi-religious fans! This despite the fact that in many ways the technology (6502 processor, 64K RAM but no dedicated sound or graphics chips) was somewhat outmoded even as it first appeared. The Apple line embraced open architecture though (an idea also adopted by IBM with their microcomputer) and this lead to huge third-party support. With an extra card, the Apple IIe could even do CP/M and Wordstar with the best of them.

A good marketing campaign, loyal fan base and truckloads of peripherals and software ensured quiet but continuing success even compared to his flashier cousin the Macintosh.

My unit is in very good condition. The only problem I've had was with a non-responsive "1" key, which has since been fixed. I've got plenty of software via the web and disk image transfer tools, and a stack of original manuals.

I have to say I was underwhelmed with Apple DOS 3.3 and ProDos. They were functional enough but didn't compare with the features found in my good old NEWDOS 80 v. 2.0 for the TRS-80 Model 1/System 80. Given "Applemania" and the fact they were a big fan of the traditional computer hobbyist, I'd expected more.

However, that doesn't make me regret having one. No collection is complete without this classic.

Want to know more about this micro? Google is your friend.

This page last edited 10th August, 2008

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