STERNLIGHT@usc-ecl.arpa (01/20/83)
The Apple Lisa was announced today. I saw and used one at the Pasadena, Ca. computer show. Price is ~10000, and it is very attractive with Xerox-star-type graphics, icons, and an integrated operating system with word processor, spread-sheet, filer, type faces like Star, and beautiful, flicker-free black- on-white display. For what the basic configuration includes the price seems competitive with far less powerful systems with similar stand- alone software. Apple's data follows: Display: -12 inch screen (measured diagonally) -Full-screen bit-mapped display -364 lines by 720 dots -up to 40 lines of 132 characters -60Hz refresh rate -Contrast level under software control -Contrast-enhancing screen Keyboard: -Detached, standard typewriter-style -N-key rollover -Sculptured keytops -textured, nonslip, nonglare -Numerical keypad with raised dot on 5 key -Full ASCII character set, up to 77 keys -All keys programmable -Smart interface with control-oriented processor Mouse: -Extremely fast, intuitive cursor positioning -Works well on any surface -Simple one-button design eliminates confusion and the need to learn commands Disk storage: -860k bytes(per drive)formatted storage -1.4Mbytes(per drive)unformatted capacity -62.5 tracks/inch -10,000 bits/inch -Automatic disk eject -Smart interface with 6504 processor Main processor: -MC68000 32/16-bit CPU -32-bit internal architecture -16-bit external data path -Seven levels of interrupts Real-time clock: -Software system on-off control -Interval and event timing -COPS processor, battery backup Main memory: -16K bytes of boot ROM -Up to 1M bytes RAM -Parity error detection Memory management: -Permits operating system to relocate segments in memory -Provides access controls for block memory -Segmentation into 128 variable-length blocks Communications interface: -Two serial ports -SCC controller -programmable -full-function -RS-232 with full-duplex channels -Full modem control and ring indicator on one channel -Baud rates software programmable -One parallel port -8-bit bidirectional -handshake control Audio output: -Built-in speaker with software-controllable tone generator Expansion board slots: -Three slots -Xero insertion-force connectors -Direct connection to system bus -DMA capability -Memory-mapped I/O -Vector interrupt capability -Direct connection of power suppply -digital ground -+5v, -5v, +12v, -12v -allows up to 10W total(maximum rating) for all three cards -+5v standby (at 58mA) per board Weight and dimensions: -Computer console: -Weight 48 lb. -Height 13.8 in. -Width 18.7 in. -Depth 15.2 in,(16 in. with keyboard under front) -Keyboard: -Weight 4 lb. -Height 2.7 in. -Width 18.7 in. -Depth 6.5 in. Power requirements: -115 or 230 v. AC -48 to 68 Hz. -270 W (maximum) Environtal requirements: -Ambient temperature 40-108 degrees F. -Relative humidity 15-80% noncondensing Applications: -LisaCalc(spreadsheet modeling),LisaList(list management), LisaProject(project scheduling),LisaWrite(word processing), LisaGraph(business graphics), LisaDraw(graphics editor), LisaTerminal(terminal emulation). Languages and development environment: -BASIC, Pascal, COBOL, Lisa Editor, Assembler, Linker, Debugger, and a wide range of utilities. Communications -3270 BSC System expansion: -Apple Dot Matrix Printer, Apple Daisy Wheel Printer, Apple Profile(5mb hard-disk storage device), Modem, 2-port parallel card, and AppleNet Local Area Netword (Ethernet connections available for Apple products). ------End of Apple Specifications sheet-------- I was told that the $9995 package includes 2 drives, a hard disk, all the software and the mouse. The dot matrix printer was about $600 extra and it was claimed to print the full screen, including Icon images accurately and with excellent quality. The image quality of the screen is indistinguishable (to me) from the Xerox Star. The software is completely integrated a la a desktop, wastebasket, file folders, printers, etc with the same graphic- arts quality typefaces one saw on the Star. A really superb- seeming job. Apple reps said delivery starts in April; a large number of machines are out on Beta test now (the list of sites is closed; sorry about that; I tried, too) and there are "a few minor refinements" in the software yet to be made. I saw it run and it looked very good, with Pert charts floating around the screen, movable boxes, expanded blow-ups of part of the diagram and a shrunken complete diagram on the screen, and similar fanciness for document composition, etc. There are extensive spec sheets on each software package, but this is a long message for the net already. The software is very well thought out. For further information and literature, you can call 800-662- 9238. --david-- -------