Apple  Apple II 
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Apple II

The Apple ][ is one of the first mass-produced computer systems in the world. It was designed by Steve Wozniak, with Steve Jobs overseeing the design of the case. The computer was introduced in 1977 at the West Coast Computer Fair. It marks Apple's first launch of a personal computer aimed at the mass consumer market. The vision was to have a computer for use in the home, rather than just for business or hobby enthusiasts.

The 1977 Trinity of Computing

The year 1977 was a defining year for the home computer market. The three main computer systems that were introduced that year are now considered part of the 1977 Trinity of computing:

MOS 6502 CPU

The 6502 is an 8-bit MicroProcessor designed by MOS Technology. The team was led by Chuck Peddle and had also worked on the Motorola 6800. The 6502 is a simplified, but faster and cheaper design than the 6800.

The 6502 was introduced in 1975 and was the cheapest microprocessor on the market. Together with the Zilog Z80, the 6502 helped start the home computer revolution of the 1980s. The 6502 was used in a wide range of devices: the Atari 2600, the 8-bit Atari home computers, the Apple II, the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Commodore 64, the BBC Micro and many others. All used the 6502 or a variation of it.

The 6502 is a 1MHz design, while the 6502A is designed for 2MHz. The 6502A is 100% compatible with the original 6502.

Commodore soon bought MOS Technology, but conitnued to sell the microprocessor to competitors and licensed the design to other manufacturers.

Source: WikiPedia - MOS Technology 6502
Technical Details
Released 1977 Country United States Brand Apple Type Apple Series II Name Apple II CPU Class 6502 CPU MOS 6502 @1.023MHz Memory 4kB RAM, 48kB Max Sound Chip none Sound 1-bit speaker Display Chip none Display 40x48 in 16 colors
280x192 in 6 colors
Sprites none System OS Apple DOS Storage Two Internal 5.25" Disk Drives Original Price $1298.-
Related Systems
 
Apple Series I
 
Apple Series II
» 
Apple II  (1977)
 
Apple Series III
 
Apple Macintosh
 
Apple Macintosh II
 
Apple Macintosh LC & Quadra
 
Apple Newton
Books & Publications
 
6502 CPU
Collection of books on the 6502 and compatible CPUs
 
Apple Macintosh
Books about the Apple Macintosh, the first mass-market personal computer with a graphical user interface.
Magazines & Serials
 
InCider and A+
InCider Magazine for Apple Computers, later fused with A+
 
Peeker Magazine
Peeker, a German language magazine for Apple Computer users.
World Wide Web Links
 
MOS 6502 CPU
The 6502 is an 8-bit MicroProcessor designed by MOS Technology.