Editing Apple Lisa 2

{{Infobox computer
| name           = Apple Lisa 2
| image          = [[File:Apple_Lisa_2.jpg|250px]]
| caption        = Apple Lisa 2 with 3.5" Sony floppy drive
| developer      = Apple Computer, Inc.
| manufacturer   = Apple Computer, Inc.
| type           = Personal/business computer
| release date   = January 1984
| discontinued   = April 1985 (rebranded as Macintosh XL)
| price          = US$3,495 (Lisa 2/5)<br>US$5,495 (Lisa 2/10)
| units_sold     = ~60,000 (including Macintosh XL)
| cpu            = Motorola 68000 @ 5 MHz
| memory         = 512 KB RAM standard (expandable to 2 MB)
| storage        = '''Lisa 2/5:''' 1 × 3.5″ floppy (400 KB) + 5 MB ProFile HDD<br>'''Lisa 2/10:''' 2 × 3.5″ floppy + 10 MB Widget HDD
| display        = 12″ monochrome CRT, 720 × 364 pixels
| graphics       = Integrated raster display controller
| sound          = Internal piezo speaker
| os             = Lisa OS 2.0–3.1; MacWorks XL (optional)
| input          = Detachable keyboard, one-button mouse
| connectivity   = 2 × RS-422 serial; parallel printer; optional AppleTalk
| expansion      = 3 × internal Lisa slots; 2 MB RAM expansion board
| dimensions     = 15.2″ H × 18.7″ W × 14.4″ D
| weight         = 48 lb (21.8 kg)
| predecessor    = [[Apple Lisa]]
| successor      = [[Macintosh XL]] (rebrand)
| codename       = "Pepsi" (Lisa 2/5), "Coke" (Lisa 2/10)
| model          = A6S0300 (Lisa 2/5), A6S0400 (Lisa 2/10)
}}

The '''Apple Lisa 2''' was Apple Computer's redesigned and more affordable iteration of the original [[Apple Lisa]], introduced in January 1984. The Lisa 2 addressed the original's most critical flaws by replacing the unreliable "Twiggy" floppy drives with industry-standard 3.5″ Sony drives and reducing the entry price by 65%. Available in two configurations—the Lisa 2/5 with external ProFile drive and the Lisa 2/10 with internal Widget hard drive—the Lisa 2 represented Apple's final attempt to salvage the Lisa platform before its transformation into the [[Macintosh XL]].

== Development and Market Positioning ==

=== Engineering Response to Lisa 1 Failures ===
The Lisa 2 project began immediately after the original Lisa's troubled launch in mid-1983. Apple engineers, led by the Lisa hardware team under Wayne Rosing, focused on addressing the three primary complaints: the unreliable Twiggy drives, the prohibitive $9,995 price point, and limited software availability.<ref>{{cite book |last=Moritz |first=Michael |title=Return to the Little Kingdom: Steve Jobs and the Creation of Apple Computer |publisher=Overlook Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-1590202036 |pages=256-259}}</ref>

=== Sony Drive Integration ===
The transition from Twiggy to Sony 3.5″ drives required significant engineering effort. The new drive controller, designed by the team that would later create the Macintosh IWM (Integrated Woz Machine), provided compatibility with the emerging 3.5″ standard while maintaining backward compatibility with existing Lisa software through a ROM update.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?story=Hide_Under_This_Desk.txt |title=Hide Under This Desk |author=Andy Hertzfeld |publisher=Folklore.org |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>

=== Price Reduction Strategy ===
To achieve the dramatic price reduction, Apple:
* Eliminated one floppy drive in the base model
* Reduced standard RAM from 1 MB to 512 KB
* Simplified the packaging and documentation
* Leveraged economies of scale from shared components with Macintosh<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102733970 |title=Apple Lisa 2 product announcement |publisher=Computer History Museum |date=1984-01-10 |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>

== Hardware Specifications ==

=== Core Architecture ===
The Lisa 2 retained the original's fundamental architecture while implementing cost-saving measures:

{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:center;"
|+'''Lisa 2 Hardware Comparison'''
|-
! Component !! Lisa 1 !! Lisa 2/5 !! Lisa 2/10
|-
| CPU || Motorola 68000 @ 5 MHz || colspan="2" | Motorola 68000 @ 5 MHz
|-
| Standard RAM || 1 MB || 512 KB || 512 KB
|-
| Maximum RAM || 2 MB || colspan="2" | 2 MB
|-
| Floppy drives || 2 × Twiggy (871 KB) || 1 × Sony (400 KB) || 2 × Sony (400 KB)
|-
| Hard drive || External ProFile 5 MB || External ProFile 5 MB || Internal Widget 10 MB
|-
| List price || US$9,995 || US$3,495 || US$5,495
|}

=== Memory Configuration ===
The Lisa 2 introduced a new memory architecture to reduce costs:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wiki.68kmla.org/Apple_Lisa#Lisa_2 |title=Apple Lisa Hardware Information |publisher=68kMLA Wiki |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* '''Base configuration:''' 512 KB using 256K×1 DRAM chips
* '''Expansion options:''' 
''' 512 KB card (bringing total to 1 MB)
''' 1.5 MB card (bringing total to 2 MB)
* '''Memory map:''' Identical to Lisa 1, maintaining software compatibility

=== Storage Subsystem ===

==== Sony 3.5″ Floppy Implementation ====
The Sony MP-F51W drives offered:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.applefritter.com/content/lisa-2-floppy-drive-information |title=Lisa 2 Floppy Drive Information |publisher=Applefritter |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* 400 KB formatted capacity (single-sided)
* Variable speed rotation (394-590 RPM)
* Automatic disk ejection mechanism
* Enhanced reliability over Twiggy drives

==== Widget Hard Drive (Lisa 2/10) ====
The internal Widget drive represented a significant advancement:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vintagemacworld.com/lisa_widget.html |title=Apple Widget Hard Drive |publisher=Vintage Mac World |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* 10 MB capacity (compared to 5 MB ProFile)
* Integrated controller board
* Faster seek times (65 ms average)
* Direct connection to Lisa's parallel port
* Built-in diagnostics ROM

=== I/O Port Configuration ===
The Lisa 2 maintained the original's connectivity while adding AppleTalk support:

{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
|+'''Lisa 2 Port Specifications'''
|-
! Port !! Connector Type !! Protocol !! Maximum Speed
|-
| Serial A || DB-25 || RS-422/RS-232 || 57.6 kbps
|-
| Serial B || DB-25 || RS-422/RS-232/AppleTalk || 230.4 kbps
|-
| Parallel || DB-25 || Centronics/Widget || 500 kbps
|-
| Mouse || DE-9 || Quadrature encoding || N/A
|-
| Keyboard || RJ-11 style || Proprietary serial || 4800 bps
|}

== Software Compatibility ==

=== Lisa Office System 2.0 ===
The Lisa 2 shipped with an updated Lisa Office System optimized for the reduced memory configuration:<ref>{{cite book |last=Chernicoff |first=Stephen |title=Macintosh Revealed |publisher=Hayden Book Company |year=1985 |isbn=0-8104-6560-2 |pages=412-418}}</ref>
* '''Memory optimization:''' Applications redesigned to run in 512 KB
* '''Disk handling:''' New floppy driver for Sony mechanisms
* '''Performance improvements:''' Faster application switching
* '''Bug fixes:''' Addressed over 200 issues from Lisa OS 1.0

=== MacWorks Compatibility Layer ===
In late 1984, Apple introduced MacWorks, allowing Lisa 2 to run Macintosh software:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lowendmac.com/2006/macworks-brings-mac-os-to-lisa/ |title=MacWorks Brings Mac OS to Lisa |publisher=Low End Mac |date=2006-03-21 |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* Emulated Macintosh 64K ROM routines
* Provided 400 KB RAM to applications
* Supported most Macintosh software except games
* Limited by lack of Macintosh sound hardware

== Models and Configurations ==

=== Lisa 2/5 ===
The entry-level configuration included:
* Single 3.5″ floppy drive
* External ProFile 5 MB hard drive
* 512 KB RAM standard
* Lisa Office System 2.0
* US$3,495 list price

=== Lisa 2/10 ===
The premium configuration featured:
* Dual 3.5″ floppy drives
* Internal Widget 10 MB hard drive
* 512 KB RAM standard
* Lisa Office System 2.0
* US$5,495 list price

=== Upgrade Paths ===
Apple offered official upgrade programs:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/lisa_2_upgrade_manual |title=Lisa 2 Upgrade Manual |publisher=Apple Computer |date=1984 |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* Lisa 1 to Lisa 2/5: US$595 (included I/O board swap)
* Lisa 1 to Lisa 2/10: US$2,495 (included Widget drive)
* Lisa 2/5 to Lisa 2/10: US$1,298 (added second floppy and Widget)

== Manufacturing and Quality Control ==

=== Production Changes ===
The Lisa 2 incorporated several manufacturing improvements:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.applefritter.com/content/lisa-manufacturing-changes |title=Lisa Manufacturing Changes |publisher=Applefritter |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* Simplified motherboard with reduced chip count
* Improved power supply reliability
* Better thermal management
* Streamlined assembly process

=== Serial Number Identification ===
Lisa 2 units can be identified by their serial number format:
* '''A4Sxxxxx:''' Early Lisa 2/5 (January-June 1984)
* '''A4Txxxxx:''' Late Lisa 2/5 (July-December 1984)
* '''A5Sxxxxx:''' Lisa 2/10 (all production)

== Common Issues and Maintenance ==

=== Power Supply Problems ===
The Lisa 2 power supply, while improved, still suffers from age-related failures:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://68kmla.org/bb/index.php?threads/lisa-2-power-supply-repair.25847/ |title=Lisa 2 Power Supply Repair |publisher=68kMLA Forums |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* '''Capacitor degradation:''' Replace all electrolytic capacitors
* '''Voltage drift:''' Adjust potentiometers R38 (5V) and R39 (12V)
* '''Thermal stress:''' Add heat sinks to voltage regulators

=== Widget Drive Failures ===
The Widget drive has specific failure modes:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://john.ccac.rwth-aachen.de:8000/patrick/Widget.htm |title=Widget Hard Drive Service |author=Patrick Schäfer |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* '''Servo failure:''' Replace servo control board components
* '''Head crashes:''' Often irreparable, require drive replacement
* '''Controller errors:''' Re-seat or replace controller board

=== Memory Expansion Issues ===
Common memory-related problems include:
* '''SIMM socket corrosion:''' Clean with contact cleaner
* '''Addressing errors:''' Check memory controller PALs
* '''Compatibility:''' Some third-party RAM incompatible

== Market Performance and Legacy ==

=== Sales Impact ===
The Lisa 2's price reduction had immediate effects:<ref>{{cite journal |last=Williams |first=Gregg |title=The Lisa Computer System |journal=BYTE |date=February 1984 |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=33-50}}</ref>
* Initial sales surge in Q1 1984
* Competition with Macintosh announcement
* Inventory challenges with Lisa 1 units
* Total Lisa 2/XL sales estimated at 60,000 units

=== Transition to Macintosh XL ===
In January 1985, Apple rebranded remaining Lisa 2/10 inventory as the Macintosh XL:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://everymac.com/systems/apple/lisa/specs/lisa_2-10_xl.html |title=Apple Lisa 2/10 - Macintosh XL Specs |publisher=EveryMac.com |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* Included MacWorks XL boot disk
* Marketed as high-end Macintosh
* Discontinued April 1985
* Final units sold through 1986

=== Historical Significance ===
The Lisa 2 represents a crucial transition in Apple's history:
* Bridge between Lisa and Macintosh platforms
* Demonstrated Apple's ability to respond to market feedback
* Established 3.5″ floppy as Apple standard
* Influenced design of future Apple products

== Technical Documentation ==

=== Service Information ===
Key service resources include:
* Lisa 2 Owner's Guide (030-0839-A)
* Lisa 2 Service Manual (072-0061-A)
* Widget Service Guide (072-0089-A)
* MacWorks XL Manual (030-1042-A)

=== Diagnostic Tools ===
Apple provided several diagnostic utilities:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lisa-faq.org/Hardware/Lisa_Diagnostics.html |title=Lisa Diagnostics |publisher=Lisa FAQ |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* Lisa Test Disk 3.0 (comprehensive hardware test)
* Widget Diagnostic (hard drive specific)
* NeoWidEx (third-party Widget tool)
* Service Mode (built-in ROM diagnostics)

== Preservation and Collecting ==

=== Current Market ===
Lisa 2 systems have become increasingly collectible:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cultofmac.com/565628/apple-lisa-vintage-computer-collecting/ |title=Why the Apple Lisa Is a Holy Grail for Vintage Computer Collectors |publisher=Cult of Mac |date=2018-08-15 |access-date=2025-01-25}}</ref>
* Working systems: US$2,000-5,000 (2024 prices)
* Parts machines: US$500-1,500
* Rare configurations command premium prices
* Widget drives particularly sought after

=== Restoration Considerations ===
Modern restoration typically involves:
* Complete capacitor replacement
* Battery removal (prevents corrosion)
* Drive mechanism cleaning and lubrication
* ROM updates for reliability
* Modern storage solutions (SCSI2SD, X/ProFile)

== See Also ==
* [[Apple Lisa]]
* [[Apple Lisa General Maintenance|Apple Lisa Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Apple Lisa Troubleshooting|Apple Lisa Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Macintosh XL]]
* [[MacWorks]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External Links ==
* [http://www.lisa-faq.org/ Ray Arachelian's Lisa FAQ]
* [https://lisalist.macgui.com/ LisaList Archives]
* [https://lisaem.sunder.net/ LisaEm Emulator Project]
* [http://john.ccac.rwth-aachen.de:8000/patrick/index.htm Patrick's Lisa Hardware Page]

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[[Category:Apple Vintage Computers]]