Apple Graphics Tablet

Template:Infobox Accessory

The Apple Graphics Tablet (model A2M0029) was Apple's digitizing tablet for the Apple II family, released in 1979. Priced at US$650 (approximately $1,980 adjusted for inflation), it allowed users to draw images at 280 × 192 resolution—years before the mouse became a standard input device.

Background

The Graphics Tablet was released during a period when graphical input devices were rare and expensive. At $650, it represented a significant investment for Apple II owners. The tablet predated the mouse by several years, making it one of the earliest consumer-accessible graphical input devices.

Design

Physical Construction

The Graphics Tablet measures approximately 15 inches × 15 inches (380 mm × 380 mm), significantly larger than modern tablets:

Plastic frame housing
Transparent overlay sheet
Wire matrix sensing surface
Tethered stylus

The overlay protected the sensing matrix and provided a smooth drawing surface. Over time, these overlays yellowed or cracked, particularly in early units.

Sensing Technology

The tablet uses capacitive sensing through a wire matrix:

X and Y coordinate wires arranged in a grid pattern
Changes in capacitance indicate stylus position
Wires held in position with adhesive
Age causes adhesive failure and wire displacement

Connection

The Graphics Tablet requires a dedicated interface card (part number 670-0012) installed in an Apple II expansion slot. The first revision connected via a wire with a header that plugged directly into the card. The second revision used dual DB-9 connectors.

Revisions

First Revision (1979)

Wire with header connector (no DB-9)
No FCC approval
Caused RF interference with television sets
Pulled from market after FCC intervention

Second Revision (1980+)

Dual DB-9 connectors
FCC approved
Improved RF shielding
Limited market success due to timing (Macintosh and mouse approaching)

Software

The tablet shipped with Apple Graphics Tablet Software (1979):

Drawing application
280 × 192 resolution support
Required interface card present to load

Additional third-party software supported the tablet for various drawing and design applications.

Specifications

Parameter	Value
Model number	A2M0029
Interface card	670-0012
Active area	~12" × 12" (estimated)
Resolution	280 × 192 pixels
Dimensions	~380 mm × 380 mm × 25 mm
Connection	Wire header (rev 1) / DB-9 (rev 2)
Case material	Plastic frame, transparent overlay
Compatible systems	Apple II, II Plus, IIe, IIGS
Price (1979)	US$650

Issues

RF Interference

The first revision caused significant radio frequency interference with television sets. Many Apple II owners used televisions as displays, making this a serious usability problem. The FCC required Apple to pull the product until it met emissions standards.

Reliability

The internal wire matrix relies on adhesive to maintain wire positioning. Over decades, this adhesive degrades:

Wires detach from their positions
Coordinates become inaccurate or non-functional
Repair is extremely difficult due to the number of wires involved

Market Timing

By the time the FCC-approved revision was available:

The Apple IIe had launched with a more refined ecosystem
The Macintosh (1984) introduced the mouse as standard
Consumer interest in stylus-based input had waned

Maintenance

Overlay Care

Clean with mild soap and water
Avoid solvents that may cause yellowing
Store away from direct sunlight
Do not press heavily—overlays become brittle with age

Internal Repair

Repair of the wire matrix is generally impractical:

Hundreds of fine wires require precise positioning
Original adhesive cannot be easily replaced
Disassembly often causes additional damage

Most surviving units with internal wire displacement are considered non-functional.

Collecting

Rarity

The Graphics Tablet is uncommon due to:

Limited original sales (high price point)
First revision recall
Fragile internal construction
Age-related failures

Condition Assessment

Mint: Original box, clear overlay, functional (extremely rare)
Excellent: Clear overlay, no visible damage, may be functional
Good: Some overlay yellowing, unknown functionality
Fair: Yellowed/cracked overlay, likely non-functional
Poor: Damaged frame, missing parts, non-functional

Components

A complete system includes:

Graphics Tablet unit (A2M0029)
Interface card (670-0012)
Stylus
Software disks
Manual

The interface card is essential and often missing from surviving units.

Market Value

Working examples with interface cards command premium prices. Non-functional units still have collector value for display purposes. Auction houses including RR Auction have sold Graphics Tablets as vintage computing collectibles.

References

AppleToTheCore.me — Apple Graphics Tablet documentation
RR Auction lot descriptions
Computing History museum records