Apple Lisa 2/5
The Apple Lisa 2/5 was a configuration of the Lisa 2 bundled with an external 5 MB ProFile hard drive, released in January 1984.[1] It replaced the original Lisa (Lisa 1) with its troublesome Twiggy floppy drives, offering a more reliable 3.5-inch Sony floppy drive and lower price point.
 | |
| Apple Lisa 2/5 with external ProFile drive | |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Computer, Inc. |
| Type | Personal Computer |
| Released | January 1984 |
| Discontinued | January 1985 |
| Intro price | US$3,495 (with ProFile) |
| CPU | Motorola 68000 @ 5 MHz |
| Memory | 512 KB RAM (expandable to 2 MB) |
| Storage | 400 KB 3.5" floppy drive, external 5 MB ProFile hard drive |
| Display | 12" monochrome CRT (720×364 pixels) |
| Sound | PWM square wave with software-controlled volume |
| Dimensions | 15.2" H × 18.7" W × 13.8" D |
| Weight | 48 lbs (22 kg) |
| OS / Firmware | Lisa OS, Lisa Office System, MacWorks |
| Predecessor | Lisa 1 |
| Successor | Apple Lisa 2/10 |
| Codename | Lisa |
| Model no. | A6S0200 |
Overview
editThe Lisa 2/5 represented Apple's effort to make the Lisa more affordable and reliable. The "2/5" designation indicated the Lisa 2 hardware configuration paired with a 5 MB external ProFile drive. This configuration was the more affordable option compared to the Lisa 2/10, which included an internal 10 MB Widget drive.
Hardware Specifications
editProcessor and Memory
edit| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Motorola MC68000 @ 5 MHz |
| Data Bus | 16-bit external |
| Address Bus | 24-bit |
| Base RAM | 512 KB |
| Maximum RAM | 2 MB (via memory board upgrades) |
| ROM | 16 KB (bootstrap and self-test routines) |
Storage
edit| Device | Specification |
|---|---|
| Floppy Drive | Single 400 KB 3.5" Sony SS/DD drive |
| Hard Drive | External 5 MB ProFile (parallel connection) |
| Floppy Format | GCR multi-speed encoding |
| Floppy Eject | Software-controlled |
The Lisa 2/5 used a single 400 KB Sony 3.5-inch floppy drive, replacing the dual Twiggy 5.25-inch drives of the Lisa 1. The Sony mechanism was more reliable and used the same format as early Macintosh computers.
The external ProFile drive connected via the parallel port on the rear of the unit. This port was managed by a VIA (6522 Versatile Interface Adapter) chip.
Display
edit| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 12" diagonal |
| Resolution | 720 × 364 pixels |
| Display Type | Monochrome CRT (black and white) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz vertical |
| Contrast | 64 software-controlled levels |
| External Video | RCA jack (non-standard composite output) |
Input/Output
edit| Port | Description |
|---|---|
| Serial Ports | 2× RS-232C (25-pin), up to 38.4 Kbps |
| Parallel Port | External ProFile/printer connection |
| Keyboard | 3-pin 1/4" phone plug, coiled cord |
| Mouse | DE-9 connector, single-button mechanical-optical |
| Expansion Slots | 3× proprietary Lisa slots |
Power Supply
editThe Lisa 2/5 used the original Lisa power supply:
- North American: 1.2A at 120V, 60 Hz
- International: 0.7A at 220-240V, 50 Hz
This differs from the Lisa 2/10, which required a higher-capacity 1.8A power supply to support the internal Widget drive.
Differences from Other Lisa Models
edit| Feature | Lisa 1 | Lisa 2/5 | Lisa 2/10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floppy Drive | Dual Twiggy 5.25" | Single Sony 3.5" 400K | Single Sony 3.5" 400K |
| Hard Drive | External ProFile | External ProFile 5 MB | Internal Widget 10 MB |
| Parallel Port | External | External | Internal (for Widget) |
| Power Supply | 1.2A | 1.2A | 1.8A (DataPower) |
| Disk Controller | Discrete Woz Machine | Discrete Woz Machine | IWM chip |
Software Compatibility
editThe Lisa 2/5 could run:
- Lisa OS — Original Lisa operating system
- Lisa Office System — Integrated office suite (LisaWrite, LisaCalc, LisaDraw, etc.)
- MacWorks — Macintosh compatibility environment allowing Mac software to run on Lisa hardware
- Xenix — Microsoft's UNIX variant (with appropriate configuration)
General Maintenance
editFor detailed maintenance practices including cleaning, PRAM battery management, power supply care, and CRT handling, refer to the Apple Lisa General Maintenance page.
Troubleshooting
editA comprehensive troubleshooting guide addressing power issues, self-test error codes, display problems, and storage failures is available on the Apple Lisa Troubleshooting page.
Capacitor Replacement
editThe Lisa 2/5 contains electrolytic and RIFA safety capacitors that require replacement for long-term reliability. See the Apple Lisa Capacitor Replacement Guide for detailed specifications and procedures.
ProFile Hard Drive
editThe external ProFile drive included with the Lisa 2/5 was a 5 MB hard drive with its own Z8 microprocessor and error-sparing capabilities. ProFile drives were also prone to capacitor failures in their power supplies and should be recapped when servicing a Lisa system.
Modern alternatives to the ProFile include:
- X/ProFile — Uses CompactFlash storage
- IDEfile — Uses IDE drives or flash memory