Apple IIc Plus Review

[Tanrunomad]

My review of the last Apple II model computer, the Apple IIc Plus (1988) which was only on the market a very short time:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKOaNpXDcQk&

Edited March 21, 2012 by Tanrunomad

[Ransom]

Thanks for that!

 

I tend not to go for the earliest or latest releases in the classic computer lines, instead preferring to own the middle releases (Atari XL, Apple //e). I once owned a IIgs, but ultimately didn't care for it. I'd been wondering what the IIc Plus's were like, and had read some articles about them. But now thanks to your review, I have a much better idea. Thanks especially for showing the performance of those games at the end.

[Tanrunomad]

Sure no problem. Like you, I never owned or even used a IIc Plus in my youth. I eventually picked one up at an estate sale last year and it's pretty cool for playing games with double hires graphics that would typically crawl on an Apple II running at 1mhz. The IIGS is still my Apple II computer of choice though since it plays most 8-bit titles as well as IIGS-specific ones.

[+save2600]

I really enjoyed that review, thanks for posting it Tanrunomad!

 

Looks like the list price on that machine was $675. Not exactly a bargain by 1988 - but that was Apple for you back then.

[Tempest]

My problems with the IIc Plus are that the extra speed and 3.5" drive are pretty much worthless for gaming. They're only useful for productivity type stuff which isn't something most people use the Apple for these days. I still contend that the best all around Apple is the IIe.

[Tanrunomad]

My problems with the IIc Plus are that the extra speed and 3.5" drive are pretty much worthless for gaming. They're only useful for productivity type stuff which isn't something most people use the Apple for these days. I still contend that the best all around Apple is the IIe.

If I had to choose between the IIe and IIc Plus, I'd definitely go with the IIe. It was better designed, more expandable, and 99% of 8-bit apple II software is on 5.25 " floppies. Also DOS 3.3 can only be formatted on 5.25 media. However, the IIGS reigns supreme since it plays 8-bit and 16-bit Apple II software and has arguably the best sound chip of any 80s personal computer.

[magnusfalkirk]

Nice review. On the original IIc the volume control was located on the left hand side of the computer, slightly under the keyboard, next to a head phone jack that they removed when they created the IIc+. The volume control on the IIc+ replaced a 40/80 column switch on the original IIc. I never saw any use for that switch since programs like Appleworks automatically set the display to 80 columns if it was available. With a program called DOS Master you can use 800k disks under DOS 3.3. For 8 bit games on 3.5 disk, if you haven't found them already, go here: http://www.whatisthe2gs.apple2.org.za/8-bit-games-on-3-5-disk/ or here: http://www.apple2.org.za/gswv/a2zine/Sel/The202collection.html

 

Just my two cents worth

[The Usotsuki]

There is UniDOS, which is DOS 3.3-compatible and supports 3.5" floppy drives. But it's rather rare.

[magnusfalkirk]

Reference my comment about Dos Master, you can find the disk image and documentation for it, at this link: http://apple2online.com/index.php?p=1_25_Software-D-F just scroll down the page and it is toward the bottom of the D listing, with the link to the PDF of the docs right below it.

[Tanrunomad]

Reference my comment about Dos Master, you can find the disk image and documentation for it, at this link: http://apple2online....25_Software-D-F just scroll down the page and it is toward the bottom of the D listing, with the link to the PDF of the docs right below it.

That's really cool. Now I can actually play Rampage on a 3.5" disk!

[AtariK2]

Check out this episode of Computer Chronicles from 1988 that talks about the introduction of the IIc Plus (and the IIGS). They have an Apple Product Manager for the Apple IIc Plus (she demos the same game that is used in this topic's review - perhaps this is where you got the idea)?

 

Pretty funny to look back on this now...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RXJPWDuFic

[Arkhan]

My first owned Apple II is this IIc+, and I've only had it for a bit. I never did much Appling. I was an Amiga500/C64/DOSser

 

I like it. I was lucky enough to get it with a 5.25" drive too.

 

I like that it takes up no space really.

 

I also like playing Falcons at WARP SPEED.

 

Though, at that point its more like FUCKons because that's what you yell while you play it.