Apple II

The Apple II transformed the Apple-1 motherboard concept into a complete consumer computer with a moulded case, integrated keyboard, colour graphics, sound and eight internal expansion slots. Steve Wozniak's economical design generated NTSC colour with remarkably little hardware.

Initially using cassette storage, the platform expanded dramatically after the Disk II drive arrived in 1978. VisiCalc and a broad third-party hardware and software market established the Apple II as one of the defining personal computers of its era.

Notable Features

• Eight general-purpose expansion slots created an unusually open and adaptable system.
• Colour graphics exploited NTSC signal behaviour without a conventional colour generator.
• Disk II controller achieved reliable floppy storage using very few chips.

Historical Significance

• Apple's first mass-produced computer and the product that turned the company into a major manufacturer.
• VisiCalc made the Apple II one of the earliest personal computers purchased widely for business use.

Collector’s Notes

• Several early case, vent, motherboard and keyboard revisions are highly collectible.
• Expansion cards and modifications often reveal how a particular machine was used.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Apple II
Manufacturer	Apple
Launched	Wednesday, June 1, 1977
Discontinued	1980
Launch Price	$1,298 with 4KB
Country	United States
CPU	MOS Technology 6502 at 1.023 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	Integer BASIC and monitor; Apple DOS with Disk II
I/O	Composite video, cassette, game I/O and eight expansion slots
CPU Speed	1.023 MHz
RAM	4KB standard; expandable to 48KB
ROM	12KB containing Integer BASIC and monitor
Display	40 x 24 text
Graphics	40 x 48 or 280 x 192 graphics in up to six colours
Sound	One-bit internal speaker
Storage	Cassette; optional 5.25-inch Disk II floppy
Keyboard	Integrated uppercase keyboard