c (1984)

Features

CPU: MOS 65C02 1.4MHz
Memory: 128kB RAM expandable to 1mB, 32kB ROM
Screen: 16 colors at 560 x 192 (double-hi-res); 4-bit color text mode at 40 x 48
Data path: 8-bit
I/O Ports: Monitor, Joystick/Mouse, RGB, Floppy Disk, RS232c (2)
Keyboard: Full-stroke 62 keys with arrows keys
Built In Media: one 5.25” diks-drive
OS: DOS 3.3, ProDOS, UCSD Pascal
Built In Language: AppleSoft BASIC

Usage

MESS emulates the following computers

apple2c [Apple //c]
apple2c0 [Apple //c (UniDisk 3.5)]
apple2c3 [Apple //c (Original Memory Expansion)]
apple2c4 [Apple //c (rev. 4)]

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

These systems require 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).

RAM options

Different RAM configurations are possible for these systems 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

64k
128k (default)

Known Issues

The emulation of the rev. 4 is still Preliminary.

History and Trivia

The Apple //c was the compact (the “c” stands for compact) version of the Apple IIe. It had the same basic characteristics as the Apple IIe but included a lot of features which were optional on the IIe: floppy disk drive, 80-column display, color display, 128 KB RAM. But unlike the Apple IIe, it had no expansion slots, so it was hard to add features to this computer. It ran either with DOS 3.3 or with ProDOS.

The Apple //c was originally designed to be a portable version of the Apple ][, but it wasn't a stand alone system, it had no batteries and no LCD screen (Apple would soon release these items), it could also be used with a small 9” monochrome green screen which plugged into the unit. The Apple //c was mainly used as a desktop computer.

The Apple //c was replaced with the Apple IIc+ in 1988.

(info from old-computers.com)

Revisions

Apple //c went under several revisions: you can discover which machine you are using issuing the command

PRINT PEEK(64447).

If 255 is displayed, you have the first, original model. This model is known to have problems producing accurate baud rates for serial communications.
If 0 is displayed, you can use 3.5” drives, but you don't have the memory expansion connector.
If 3 is displayed, you have the memory expansion connector and you can plug in extra memory.
If 4 is displayed, you have the latest model with memory expansion connector and extra upgrades.
If 5 is displayed, you have an Apple IIc+.

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: