Apple III Plus

The Apple III Plus was a refined final version of Apple's business-oriented III. It standardised 256KB of RAM, improved the keyboard and clock hardware, and incorporated the reliability changes developed after the original machine's troubled launch.

Released at a lower price, it remained compatible with Apple III software and SOS but arrived too late to reverse the platform's reputation or compete with the IBM PC. Production ended only months later.

Notable Features

• 256KB RAM was standard rather than an optional maximum.
• Redesigned keyboard and clock circuit addressed practical complaints about the original model.
• Retained the integrated floppy drive, 80-column display and SOS operating system.

Historical Significance

• The most mature production version of the Apple III architecture.
• Its brief life closed Apple's first attempt to establish a separate business-computer family.

Collector’s Notes

• Far fewer III Plus systems survive than ordinary Apple III machines.
• The model badge, keyboard and motherboard distinguish it from factory-repaired earlier systems.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Apple III Plus
Manufacturer	Apple
Launched	Thursday, December 1, 1983
Launch Price	$2,995
Country	United States
CPU	Synertek 6502A at 2 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Apple SOS; restricted Apple II emulation
I/O	Composite video, game I/O, serial, audio and four expansion slots
Keyboard	Integrated upper/lower-case keyboard with numeric keypad
Storage	Built-in 143KB 5.25-inch floppy; optional Profile hard disk
Sound	One-bit internal speaker
Graphics	560 x 192 monochrome or 280 x 192 colour graphics
Display	80 x 24 or 40 x 24 text
ROM	System firmware and diagnostics in ROM
RAM	256KB
CPU Speed	2 MHz