Apple IIe Enhanced: Difference between revisions
Created page with "{{Infobox computer | name = Apple IIe Enhanced | image = 250px | caption = Apple IIe Enhanced â the upgraded version of the Apple IIe | manufacturer = Apple Computer, Inc. | type = Home computer | release date = March 1985 | discontinued = November 1993 | cpu = Western Design Center 65C02 @ 1.023 MHz (upgrade from NMOS 6502) | memory = 64 KB RAM onboard (expandable via auxiliary/expansion slots)..." Â |
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{{Infobox computer | {{Infobox computer | ||
| name    = Apple IIe Enhanced | | name    = Apple IIe Enhanced | ||
| image    = [[File:Apple IIe | | image    = [[File:Apple IIe.jpg|250px]] | ||
| caption   = Apple IIe Enhanced â the upgraded version of the Apple IIe | | caption   = Apple IIe Enhanced â the upgraded version of the Apple IIe | ||
| manufacturer = Apple Computer, Inc. | | manufacturer = Apple Computer, Inc. | ||
| Line 21: | Line 21: | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''Apple IIe Enhanced''' (commonly called Enhanced IIe) is an upgraded version of the standard Apple IIe model, introduced in March 1985. It features significant microprocessor, firmware, and character-ROM improvements aimed at enhancing compatibility and fixing known bugs. | The '''Apple IIe Enhanced''' (commonly called Enhanced IIe) is an upgraded version of the standard Apple IIe model, introduced in March 1985. It features significant microprocessor, firmware, and character-ROM improvements aimed at enhancing compatibility and fixing known bugs. | ||
== Enhancement Overview == | == Enhancement Overview == | ||
Rather than a full redesign, the Enhanced IIe was created through a modest but impactful revision. Apple offered an official upgrade kit that included four socketed chips to be replaced: the original 6502 CPU, two system ROMs (Applesoft/Monitor), and the character ROM (Video ROM). | Rather than a full redesign, the Enhanced IIe was created through a modest but impactful revision. Apple offered an official upgrade kit that included four socketed chips to be replaced: the original 6502 CPU, two system ROMs (Applesoft/Monitor), and the character ROM (Video ROM). | ||
=== New CPU: Western Design Center 65C02 === | === New CPU: Western Design Center 65C02 === | ||
* Upgraded from the original MOS Technology 6502 to the CMOS-based | * Upgraded from the original MOS Technology 6502 to the CMOS-based '''65C02''', running at the same 1.023 MHz. | ||
* Benefits: lower power consumption, additional instructions and addressing modes, and improved reliability. | * Benefits: lower power consumption, additional instructions and addressing modes, and improved reliability. | ||
=== Firmware and Character ROM Updates === | === Firmware and Character ROM Updates === | ||
* Updated Applesoft BASIC and Monitor firmware improved 80-column routines, fixed bugs, and enabled lowercase input. | * Updated Applesoft BASIC and Monitor firmware improved 80-column routines, fixed bugs, and enabled lowercase input. | ||
* Video ROM introduced | * Video ROM introduced '''MouseText''' â a set of box-drawing characters first seen in the Apple IIc. | ||
These enhancements improved speed and reliability in text and programming routines, particularly in 80-column mode. | These enhancements improved speed and reliability in text and programming routines, particularly in 80-column mode. | ||
== Appearance Differences == | == Appearance Differences == | ||
* Enhanced IIe units received cosmetic updates: darker keycaps, smaller and black-printed key labels positioned at the top of the keys. | * Enhanced IIe units received cosmetic updates: darker keycaps, smaller and black-printed key labels positioned at the top of the keys. | ||
* A small âEnhancedâ sticker was placed near the power light to denote the upgraded version. | * A small âEnhancedâ sticker was placed near the power light to denote the upgraded version. | ||
== Memory and Expandability == | == Memory and Expandability == | ||
* Base memory remained | * Base memory remained '''64 KB RAM''', with expansion via auxiliary slot or internal expansion allowing up to '''128 KB''' (commonly with an 80-column/64 KB card) and beyond with third-party RAM cards up to '''1 MB'''. | ||
== Compatibility and Software Support == | == Compatibility and Software Support == | ||
* Enhanced firmware greatly improved compatibility with newer software and fixed known glitchesâespecially in 80-column and 80-column language support. | * Enhanced firmware greatly improved compatibility with newer software and fixed known glitchesâespecially in 80-column and 80-column language support. | ||
* Lowercase input and MouseText broadened the usability for serious text-based applications. | * Lowercase input and MouseText broadened the usability for serious text-based applications. | ||
* Note: Some older programs that relied on the original character encoding saw display quirks due to the new MouseText mapping. | * Note: Some older programs that relied on the original character encoding saw display quirks due to the new MouseText mapping. | ||
== Upgrade Kit == | == Upgrade Kit == | ||
Apple offered a user-installable | Apple offered a user-installable '''Enhanced IIe upgrade kit''', which included the four required chips plus a cosmetic âEnhancedâ label template. The upgrade was relatively straightforward for users comfortable handling DIP sockets. | ||
In the aftermarket and collector communities, the upgrade remains popular. A note of caution: authentic 65C02 CPUs are sometimes counterfeited or mis-labeled in online listings. | In the aftermarket and collector communities, the upgrade remains popular. A note of caution: authentic 65C02 CPUs are sometimes counterfeited or mis-labeled in online listings. | ||
== Historical and Commercial Significance == | == Historical and Commercial Significance == | ||
* First shipped as a new SKU in March 1985 as part of Apple's ongoing IIe model updates, and was widely sold through to the lineâs discontinuation in 1993. | * First shipped as a new SKU in March 1985 as part of Apple's ongoing IIe model updates, and was widely sold through to the lineâs discontinuation in 1993. | ||
* The Enhanced IIe remains beloved among vintage Apple II collectors as delivering a âbest of both worldsâ blend of legacy Apple II compatibility and incremental modernization. | * The Enhanced IIe remains beloved among vintage Apple II collectors as delivering a âbest of both worldsâ blend of legacy Apple II compatibility and incremental modernization. | ||
== Technical Summary == | == Technical Summary == | ||
| Line 74: | Line 74: | ||
== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | <gallery mode="packed" heights="180"> | ||
File:Apple IIe | File:Apple IIe.jpg|Apple IIe Enhanced (front view) | ||
File:Apple IIe Enhanced Keyboard.jpg|Enhanced IIe with darker keycaps and âEnhancedâ sticker | File:Apple IIe Enhanced Keyboard.jpg|Enhanced IIe with darker keycaps and âEnhancedâ sticker | ||
File:Apple IIe Enhanced Internals.jpg|Inside showing replaced 65C02 and ROM sockets | File:Apple IIe Enhanced Internals.jpg|Inside showing replaced 65C02 and ROM sockets | ||
File:Apple IIe Enhanced MouseText. | File:Apple IIe Enhanced MouseText.png|MouseText character demonstration on Enhanced IIe | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Latest revision as of 18:10, 26 August 2025
 | |
| Apple IIe Enhanced â the upgraded version of the Apple IIe | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Home computer |
| Released | March 1985 |
| Discontinued | November 1993 |
| CPU | Western Design Center 65C02 @ 1.023 MHz (upgrade from NMOS 6502) |
| Memory | 64 KB RAM onboard (expandable via auxiliary/expansion slots) |
| Storage | External cassette, 5.25âł Disk II floppy, optional 3.5âł drive, hard disk |
| Display | 40Ă24 and 80Ă24 text, 280Ă192 hi-res, 560Ă192 double hi-res (mono/colour with extended memory) |
| Sound | 1-bit built-in speaker |
| Dimensions | 48 cm Ă 38 cm Ă 11 cm |
| Weight | 5.4 kg |
| OS / Firmware | Apple DOS 3.3, ProDOS, CP/M (with Z-80 card) |
| Predecessor | Apple IIe |
| Successor | Apple IIGS |
| Codename | Diana (same as IIe) |
| Model no. | A2S2000 (Enhanced revision) |
The Apple IIe Enhanced (commonly called Enhanced IIe) is an upgraded version of the standard Apple IIe model, introduced in March 1985. It features significant microprocessor, firmware, and character-ROM improvements aimed at enhancing compatibility and fixing known bugs.
Enhancement Overview
[edit | edit source]Rather than a full redesign, the Enhanced IIe was created through a modest but impactful revision. Apple offered an official upgrade kit that included four socketed chips to be replaced: the original 6502 CPU, two system ROMs (Applesoft/Monitor), and the character ROM (Video ROM).
New CPU: Western Design Center 65C02
[edit | edit source]- Upgraded from the original MOS Technology 6502 to the CMOS-based 65C02, running at the same 1.023 MHz.
- Benefits: lower power consumption, additional instructions and addressing modes, and improved reliability.
Firmware and Character ROM Updates
[edit | edit source]- Updated Applesoft BASIC and Monitor firmware improved 80-column routines, fixed bugs, and enabled lowercase input.
- Video ROM introduced MouseText â a set of box-drawing characters first seen in the Apple IIc.
These enhancements improved speed and reliability in text and programming routines, particularly in 80-column mode.
Appearance Differences
[edit | edit source]- Enhanced IIe units received cosmetic updates: darker keycaps, smaller and black-printed key labels positioned at the top of the keys.
- A small âEnhancedâ sticker was placed near the power light to denote the upgraded version.
Memory and Expandability
[edit | edit source]- Base memory remained 64 KB RAM, with expansion via auxiliary slot or internal expansion allowing up to 128 KB (commonly with an 80-column/64 KB card) and beyond with third-party RAM cards up to 1 MB.
Compatibility and Software Support
[edit | edit source]- Enhanced firmware greatly improved compatibility with newer software and fixed known glitchesâespecially in 80-column and 80-column language support.
- Lowercase input and MouseText broadened the usability for serious text-based applications.
- Note: Some older programs that relied on the original character encoding saw display quirks due to the new MouseText mapping.
Upgrade Kit
[edit | edit source]Apple offered a user-installable Enhanced IIe upgrade kit, which included the four required chips plus a cosmetic âEnhancedâ label template. The upgrade was relatively straightforward for users comfortable handling DIP sockets.
In the aftermarket and collector communities, the upgrade remains popular. A note of caution: authentic 65C02 CPUs are sometimes counterfeited or mis-labeled in online listings.
Historical and Commercial Significance
[edit | edit source]- First shipped as a new SKU in March 1985 as part of Apple's ongoing IIe model updates, and was widely sold through to the lineâs discontinuation in 1993.
- The Enhanced IIe remains beloved among vintage Apple II collectors as delivering a âbest of both worldsâ blend of legacy Apple II compatibility and incremental modernization.
Technical Summary
[edit | edit source]| Component | Original IIe | Enhanced IIe upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | MOS 6502 @ 1.023 MHz | WDC 65C02 @ 1.023 MHz (CMOS, more instructions) |
| System ROMs (Applesoft/Monitor) | Original IIe firmware | Updated firmware with bug fixes, lowercase, better 80-column routines |
| Character ROM (Video ROM) | Standard character set | Includes MouseText characters |
| Memory | 64 KB onboard | Same, expandable up to 1 MB |
| Appearance | Original keycaps, no sticker | Darker keycaps, âEnhancedâ power-light sticker |
Gallery
[edit | edit source]-
Apple IIe Enhanced (front view) -
Enhanced IIe with darker keycaps and âEnhancedâ sticker -
Inside showing replaced 65C02 and ROM sockets -
MouseText character demonstration on Enhanced IIe
