Apple ][ (1977)

Features

CPU: MOS 6502 1MHz
Memory: RAM 4kB expandable to 48kB, 12kB ROM
Screen: 6 colors at 280×192, 4-bit color at 40×48
Data path: 8-bit
I/O Ports: Video out (composite), 8 expansion slots, Tape recorder, Paddles
Keyboard: Full-stroke keyboard - only supports uppercase letters
Built In Language: Integer Basic

Usage

MESS supports the emulation of apple2 with two floppy drives, “slot6disk1” (s6d1) and “slot6disk2” (s6d2), for disk images in one of the following supported formats: .do, .dsk, .bin, .po, .nib

Upon booting, you'll get the ROM monitor prompt ('*'), from which you can examine / modify / run at different memory locations. (Note: you would normally need to press RESET to get to the prompt, but this doesn't seem to be necessary in MESS.)

From the Monitor, press control-B then ENTER to get to Integer BASIC, which uses the greater than prompt ('>').

You can invoke the mini-assembler by entering 'F666G' at the Monitor.

To backspace, use the left arrow key. The “Backspace” key is mapped to the Apple ][ “DEL”.

Keyboard

This system requires full keyboard emulation to work correctly. At startup, full keyboard emulation mode is enabled by default. Whilst in full keyboard emulation mode, some key associated functionality may be disabled (like the ESC key for EXIT). The keyboard emulation mode is toggled using the “Scroll Lock” key (by default).

Original Keyboard: QWERTY Full-stroke keyboard

1!   2"   3#   4$   5%   6&   7'   8(   9)   0     :*    -=    RESET


ESC   Q    W    E    R    T     Y    U    I    O    P@    REPT   RETURN

                              BELL
  CTRL    A    S    D    F     G     H    J    K    L    ;+   <-   ->


   SHIFT      Z    X    C    V    B     N^   M    ,<   .>   /?  SHIFT


   POWER                         SPACEBAR

RAM options

Different RAM configurations are possible for the apple2 in MESS. You can switch between them, changing the -ramsize parameter. At command line, you simply have to add -ramsize ram_value, where ram_value can assume one of the following values

4k
8k
12k
16k
20k
24k
32k
36k
48k
64k (default)

History and Trivia

The Apple ][ is an improved version of the Apple 1 kit computer first released in 1977. Along with the TRS-80 and the PET, it constituted one of the “second-generation” of computers, aimed at the general user rather than the specialized hobbyist.

The Apple ][ featured a beige plastic case, color graphics, and seven (eight?) expansion slots. It included a version of BASIC called “Integer BASIC” on the ROM which came with the machine.

It was an excellent home gaming platform. It shipped with two game paddles (various models were used) and supports up to four. It also included a built-in speaker.

The cassette interface required a cassette recording deck and was quite finicky. The treble and bass on the cassette deck had to be fiddled with in just the right way.

Apple ][ was the very first commercial success of the Apple Computer Company.

Because Steve Wozniak wanted to demonstrate his Breakout game with the new Apple ][, he decided to add colour, sound and minimum paddle support to the Apple 1's heir.

The Apple ][ came with 4 KB RAM, but it was possible to add 4 KB or 16 KB RAM chips. Thus, the system could have memory in the following sizes: 4K, 8K, 12K,16K, 20K, 24K, 32K, 36K, or a full 48K. This was one of the strong points of the Apple ][: from the beginning, it was designed with expansion in mind. The 8 expansion slots were further proof of that - users could expand their system easily, just by plugging cards into the slots.

The ROM included the monitor, a 6502 disassembler, 'Sweet 16' a 16-bit CPU emulator and the Integer Basic written by Wozniak in machine language, assembled by hand on paper! Not having to load a language from tape or disk to start programing was also a significant advantage over competitors. Even the innovative plastic case proved to be an important feature to attract customers.

Just a few months after the Apple ][ presentation at the First West Coast Computer Fair in April 1977, Apple received about three hundred orders for the Apple ][, over a hundred more than the total number of Apple-1's sold.

The Apple ][ was followed in 1979 by the Apple II+, which brought some enhancements.

Apple "][", Apple "II", Apple "//" : which is correct?

”][”, “II”, and ”//” tend to be used pretty much interchangeably for any model of Apple II computer, although, practically speaking, there are a few usages which may provoke a correction.

”][” is the original Apple II symbol. It appears on all early II's and II+'s as well as on the Disk ][ drive. It is, easily, the most attractive and distinctive II symbol; but, it is also associated with old Apple II's. The ”//” usage is generally associated with the “c” and newer “e” models.

The generally preferred machine designations are: