nsw@cord.UUCP (01/16/88)
Greetings, netlanders. I could use some advice which I hope you all
could help out with. My familiarity with the Apple // line has waned
as I have become more involved with 68000-based machines. Now, I
need info on the Apple //c.
My parents, who are computer novices, might be in a position to get a
nearly free Apple //c system through the Visa bonus dollars (or whatever
it's called) program. What I need to know is:
1) What is the extent of compatibility between the //c and the rest of
the // line (excluding the //gs, of course)?
2) What is the value of a //c system (computer+monochrome monitor), in case
we should want to resell it?
3) What software would be considered a "must" for a new user? In a related
question, what exactly does AppleWorks do, does it require a mouse, etc.?
You can see I've been out of it for a while.
4) In case I should want to hijack the computer and use it for musical
purposes, what is some good MIDI sequencing software that will run on
the //c? What MIDI adapters are available and how much do they cost?
5) Any other general advice?
Please respond to the E-mail addresses below, since I do not normally read
this group.
Thanks in advance.
/\
/+----|-|----------------------------------------------------------------+
(| |/ +-- Neil Weinstock UUCP: ...!codas!cord!nsw |
\+----|---- +-. ---------------------------------------------------------+
/| /| __/ AT&T Bell Labs NET: nsw@cord.att.com |
< +--/-|_-----------------------------------------------------------------+
\| | /| \ /| Liberty Corner |
/+-|--|--|- +-+ ---------------------------------------------------------+
(| \_|_/ | * DISCLAIMER: My views are entirely my own, I think * |
\+---_/------------------------------------------------------------------+halp@TCGOULD.TN.CORNELL.EDU ("Bruce P. Halpern") (01/18/88)
A ][c approximately equals a ][e with two superserial cards and a mouse card installed. Baseline RAM = 128K. If it's a new one (or last year or two), it will have up-to-date ROMS. This will allow it to use the Apple Unidisk 3.5, as well as a 5.25 inch external drive for the ][c. I should have mentioned that one 5.25 drive is built into the ][c. The processor is a 65C02, which is the same as that in the enhanced ][e. Consequently, anything that runs on a current 128K ][e will run on the ][c. The monitor that Apple sells for the ][c is not very good (but if it's free, why not?). The ][c will run any ordinary video monitor (80 column or greater). (The ][c has a built-in 80 column board). It is also possible to use certain color monitors with the ][c. Apple used to sell, and others still do sell, a LED screen for the ][c that connects directs to a special video port on it. The seeing isn't great, but in good light it's quite useable. I use it when traveling. The ][c runs on 12 vdc. The powersupply that comes with it converts the mains voltage to 12 vdc. For operation from a car battery, one needs only a cable with a ][c connector at one end and a cigarette lighter connector at the other (commercially available). A rechargable battery pack and carrying case are also available (none of them from Apple). I use the ][c in a moving car regularly. Both it and I work fine on good highways. Little roads are too bumpy for me (but perhaps not for it). AppleWorks is an integrated word processor, spreadsheet, and data base. The current version, 2.0, can be enhanced to produce a very powerful package. The Timeout enhancements from Beagle Brothers are the one I use. ][c's RAM can be expanded beyond 128K. The necessary motherboard for the Apple memory expansion may be part of a current ][c. Other vendors offer a variety of memory expansions. An issue of _A+_ will show you lots of adds for such things. ****DISCLAMER: My comments, etc., are my own shakey opinions ******** | Bruce P. Halpern Psychology & Neurobiology & Behavior Cornell Ithaca | | ARPA: halp@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu | | BITNET: HALP@CRNLTHRY D57J@CORNELLA D57J@CRNLVAX5 | | PHONE: 607-255-6433 Uris Hall, Cornell U., Ithaca, NY 14853-7601 |
halp@TCGOULD.TN.CORNELL.EDU ("Bruce P. Halpern") (01/18/88)
Correction: That's a LCD screen, not a LED screen. | Bruce P. Halpern Psychology & Neurobiology & Behavior Cornell Ithaca | | ARPA: halp@tcgould.tn.cornell.edu | | BITNET: HALP@CRNLTHRY D57J@CORNELLA D57J@CRNLVAX5 | | PHONE: 607-255-6433 Uris Hall, Cornell U., Ithaca, NY 14853-7601 |
kamath@reed.UUCP (Sean Kamath) (01/24/88)
In article <519@cord.UUCP> nsw@cord.UUCP (N Weinstock) writes: > >My parents, who are computer novices, might be in a position to get a >nearly free Apple //c system through the Visa bonus dollars (or whatever >it's called) program. What I need to know is: > >1) What is the extent of compatibility between the //c and the rest of > the // line (excluding the //gs, of course)? Very high. Alost all packages are no designed with the //c in mind. Remember, however, that that is software *only*, as the //c has got a completely different hardware structure. However, many companies also make add-ons for the //c. >2) What is the value of a //c system (computer+monochrome monitor), in case > we should want to resell it? Somewhere in the neighborhood of $500, sans software. >3) What software would be considered a "must" for a new user? In a related > question, what exactly does AppleWorks do, does it require a mouse, etc.? > You can see I've been out of it for a while. Get AppleWorks if they plan to use it for anything other than games. Beyond that, it's a question of what they want to do with it. I also strongly suggest Copy ][+, vers. 8 (which has been advertised in Nibble this month (just got it)), and you might look at a UniDisk 3.5. It's very nice for new users. >4) In case I should want to hijack the computer and use it for musical > purposes, what is some good MIDI sequencing software that will run on > the //c? What MIDI adapters are available and how much do they cost? I don't know of any, but there probably are some. At least one. >5) Any other general advice? A //c is a very nice computer, esp. for new users. I really like Robin's, and use it all the time. //c users become quite fond of them, or they get rid of them soon. There are a lot of letters in the last few Nibbles, A+'s and InCiders about //c's and how much the people who own them love them. If I didn't have two of my own, and Robin hers (I have 2 //e's), I might take advantage of this offer myself. I also hear Macy's/Bamberger's are selling //c's for ~$500. . . >Please respond to the E-mail addresses below, since I do not normally read >this group. > I didn, but I thought I might post for the benefit of the net, also. Sean Kamath -- UUCP: {decvax allegra ucbcad ucbvax hplabs ihnp4}!tektronix!reed!kamath CSNET: reed!kamath@Tektronix.CSNET || BITNET: reed!kamath@Berkeley.BITNET ARPA: tektronix!reed!kamath@Berkeley <or> reed!kamath@hplabs US Snail: 3934 SE Boise, Portland, OR 97202 (I hate 4 line .sigs!)