MattPilz Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 Here's something you don't see every day. I was gifted this by a former member of an Apple computer club I'm affiliated with. It actually came close to ending up at an electronic recycling event had we not gotten in contact. A bit of a trek getting it, but certainly worth it. This is the mostly unheard of IIe to IIgs upgrade model that was a $499 service through Apple in 1987. An Apple-authorized dealer would swap the IIe board with a IIgs board and subtly modified case to give users the new hardware performance while retaining the original IIe shell. This wasn't a popular option considering it required they sacrifice the IIe board and still purchase all the IIgs peripherals separately. I have done some modifications to this one including an Uthernet for network capability, internal SNES controller adapter (currently of limited use but works with PETSCII Robots), a 8MB RAM expansion and a ReActiveMicro Drive/Turbo for storage. And of course replaced the internal battery with an external battery holder. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hwlngmad Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 8 hours ago, MattPilz said: Here's something you don't see every day. I was gifted this by a former member of an Apple computer club I'm affiliated with. It actually came close to ending up at an electronic recycling event had we not gotten in contact. A bit of a trek getting it, but certainly worth it. This is the mostly unheard of IIe to IIgs upgrade model that was a $499 service through Apple in 1987. An Apple-authorized dealer would swap the IIe board with a IIgs board and subtly modified case to give users the new hardware performance while retaining the original IIe shell. This wasn't a popular option considering it required they sacrifice the IIe board and still purchase all the IIgs peripherals separately. I have done some modifications to this one including an Uthernet for network capability, internal SNES controller adapter (currently of limited use but works with PETSCII Robots), a 8MB RAM expansion and a ReActiveMicro Drive/Turbo for storage. And of course replaced the internal battery with an external battery holder. That is cool as hell and definitely a little piece of history, especially if you have any documentation that went with it. Thanks for sharing! Much appreciated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 I like the detail of the IIgs badge. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KG7PFS Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 Cool LEDs too. Is that the Uthernet board? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keatah Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 Casemodding.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameGeezer Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 I have one these with a IIx KB. I will send some photos your way if you are curious. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdoty Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 I wonder if the keyboard "Enhanced" sticker was replaced on the upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 On 12/10/2021 at 10:25 AM, cdoty said: I wonder if the keyboard "Enhanced" sticker was replaced on the upgrade. My "Stealth" GS has no "enhanced" sticker over the power light. Later IIe models didn't have this anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameGeezer Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GameGeezer Posted December 21, 2021 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0op3r Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 I love the IIe to IIgs upgrade kit - but I also love the IIe Platinum to I decided to make what never existed. Something that was actually talked about at Apple and became the IIgs. The IIx I started with a IIe to IIgs Upgrade kit, got a IIe Platinum top and keyboard and Made a IIx, then I went the extra distance: I no longer have the TransWarp installed they are just too flaky, I have a ZipGS installed now. Other then that it is the same still. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 (edited) The "Stealth" GS, while less common than any IIGS (or any IIe for that matter) was actually not all that rare. In fact, I have one that is my daily driver right on my desktop. It was sold to me by a friend who had three of them sitting in his attic, by all accounts had been there for quite some time. I think that there may have also been a spate of stealth GS conversions done recently due to the availability of new IIe clear cases made by MacEffects, and their reproduction badges that say either Apple IIe or Apple IIGS with the correct fonts and colours. Since the ROM 01 GS board can be easily modified for use with old style power supply connectors and IIe keyboard connectors (both sets of holes are on the PCB, just not populated) it makes changeover fairly easy - all you'd need to do is cut the basepan to accommodate the IIGS peripheral connector set. However those would not be "true" IIGS models.https://maceffects.com/products/maceffects-clear-case-for-apple-iie I'd ask you (and anyone else) who has a IIGS or true "stealth" GS to contact Antoine Vignau at Brutal Deluxe https://www.brutaldeluxe.fr/ who is building a database of IIGS models. Take a picture of your nameplate and send it to him. Edited March 13, 2022 by Baldrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColecoGamer Posted March 19, 2022 Share Posted March 19, 2022 Very nice! I had no idea this upgrade existed. When the time and finances are right, I plan on purchasing an Apple IIGS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boschloo Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 On 3/11/2022 at 10:05 PM, c0op3r said: I love the IIe to IIgs upgrade kit - but I also love the IIe Platinum to I decided to make what never existed. Something that was actually talked about at Apple and became the IIgs. The IIx I started with a IIe to IIgs Upgrade kit, got a IIe Platinum top and keyboard and Made a IIx, then I went the extra distance: I no longer have the TransWarp installed they are just too flaky, I have a ZipGS installed now. Other then that it is the same still. This is EXACTLY what I dream of doing!! Did you document this project anywhere? Please tell me, I'm DYING to make this! Heck, maybe you can sell me yours haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0op3r Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 3 minutes ago, Boschloo said: This is EXACTLY what I dream of doing!! Did you document this project anywhere? Please tell me, I'm DYING to make this! Heck, maybe you can sell me yours haha I dont think I did really document it (well I did on the Fb group). You are welcome to msg me and we can talk via Chat (of some form) to answer any questions you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boschloo Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 12 minutes ago, c0op3r said: I dont think I did really document it (well I did on the Fb group). You are welcome to msg me and we can talk via Chat (of some form) to answer any questions you have. Can you link me the FB group? You have no idea how much this is exactly what I need in my life! I have found a couple of ROM 0 or 1 motherboards, I just never bought them because I have no idea if I can upgrade the ROM to 3. I also don't really know what all else I would need. I don't plan on adding a TransWarp, but I think there are alternatives these days. I see the CFFA3000 in there, I have one as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0op3r Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Boschloo said: Can you link me the FB group? You have no idea how much this is exactly what I need in my life! I have found a couple of ROM 0 or 1 motherboards, I just never bought them because I have no idea if I can upgrade the ROM to 3. I also don't really know what all else I would need. I don't plan on adding a TransWarp, but I think there are alternatives these days. I see the CFFA3000 in there, I have one as well. There are 3 that I use: https://www.facebook.com/groups/appleIIforever https://www.facebook.com/groups/5251478676 https://www.facebook.com/groups/AppleIIGSEnthusiasts So no you can not put a ROM3 in the IIe to GS kit, I have a custom ROM installed in mine made by Plamen https://a2heaven.com/ CFFA3k is the best thing to ever happen to the Apple Community. Edited November 22, 2023 by c0op3r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boschloo Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 8 minutes ago, c0op3r said: There are 3 that I use: https://www.facebook.com/groups/appleIIforever https://www.facebook.com/groups/5251478676 https://www.facebook.com/groups/AppleIIGSEnthusiasts So no you can not put a ROM3 in the IIe to GS kit, I have a custom ROM installed in mine made by Plamen https://a2heaven.com/ CFFA3k is the best thing to ever happen to the Apple Community. Thanks! Plamen keeps getting mentioned but the stuff on his site is always out of stock. Which ROM did you get from him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0op3r Posted November 22, 2023 Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Boschloo said: Thanks! Plamen keeps getting mentioned but the stuff on his site is always out of stock. Which ROM did you get from him? https://www.a2heaven.com/webshop/index.php?rt=product/product&product_id=137 I had him do a custom ROM that says IIx on the boot screen, I got that from the book: Sophistication & Simplicity Never worry about what the site says is in or out of stock message him and ask him for what you need and he will usually make it for you. He is one of the nicest people to work with. Edited November 22, 2023 by c0op3r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masteries Posted November 24, 2023 Share Posted November 24, 2023 Cumbersome! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boschloo Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 On 11/22/2023 at 3:03 PM, c0op3r said: I dont think I did really document it (well I did on the Fb group). You are welcome to msg me and we can talk via Chat (of some form) to answer any questions you have. How did you get the baseplate prepared for this project? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c0op3r Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 5 minutes ago, Boschloo said: How did you get the baseplate prepared for this project? My Base plate is from a real IIe to IIgs kit, just the upper shell is a platinum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boschloo Posted November 27, 2023 Share Posted November 27, 2023 11 hours ago, c0op3r said: My Base plate is from a real IIe to IIgs kit, just the upper shell is a platinum I guess I'm stuck until Maceffects makes that available again in January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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