Anyone purchasing an Apple computer should take a moment to consider memory. A minimum of 48KB of RAM will run a great deal of software, but 64KB minimum is better. 128KB is optimal, since certain later games require it. Disk II and compatible disk drives are easy to come by, and unlike competing systems, a relatively high percentage of software supports the concurrent use of two.

Although some software can be found on 3.5" disk, 5.25" remained the standard for the life of the system. It is best to have a copy of the latest versions possible of both DOS 3.x and ProDOS, since not all software booted on its own. Another useful program, DOS.MASTER, was created in the late 1980s by Glen Bredon. DOS.MASTER enables the large base of previously ProDOS-incompatible programs written for DOS 3.3 to run under the more versatile format.

Originally, many users owned monochrome monitors, usually with green tubes. Monochrome displays are not necessarily a bad thing, since the color palette was fairly limited and could be a bit garish if the hardware or software didn't support a favorable resolution and color depth. Many games used the Apple II's original color scheme of purple, green, black, and white, though later games came to also support blue and orange.

An even smaller percentage of games supported the higher resolutions and 16 color options available on expanded and late model systems. Despite the limited color range of most software, the II-series outputs a standard composite video signal, which allows direct connection to just about any modern TV.

Sound is generated internally from a small speaker, and there's no way to physically control the volume level on many models. Despite the relatively primitive one-channel sound, good programming produced everything from music to speech, though nothing that could match the quality of later competitive systems in either performance or range.

On II-series systems with the standard expansion slots, countless programming language and feature upgrade cards were developed, including sound boards. The most popular and best supported of these sound boards was the six-channel Mockingboard series by Sweet Micro Systems, which are coveted by today's collectors.

_{Apple's original IIc, shown here with the companion monochrome (green display) Apple monitor.}

Finding boxed software is easy. Prices vary from a few dollars for arcade-style games to triple digits for the rarest and oldest role-playing games.

The analog, two-button joysticks are easy to locate, with paddles less so, but both are still generally available. Except under specific circumstances, most games support only one player with a controller, so a second player must use the keyboard. In any case, most games do not assume a player has access to anything other than a keyboard, so external controls are not required.

Emulation is well implemented and supported on a variety of modern platforms. Standouts include AppleWin and Virtual II. There are even Web browser–based emulators, such as the one at Virtual Apple, with a ready selection of games to try on demand for both the Apple II and IIgs.

_{A typical Apple IIe with two Disk II disk drives and game paddles. A small television or monitor could be placed on top of the system or disk drives.}

Although not quite as active as today's 8-bit Atari and Commodore fan base, the Apple II community is still among the strongest for classic computer systems. Vast amounts of information are available online, and exciting new hardware add-ons from hobbyists are produced regularly, including adapters for using flash memory cards instead of disks. Furthermore, the historical relevance of the Apple II makes it an excellent place to start for anyone interested in the roots of the industry.

Typical System Specifications

Release Year: 1977
Resolution: 140 x 192
On-Screen Colors: 6
Sound: 1 Channel, Mono
Media Formats: Cassette, 5.25" Floppy Disk, 3.5" Floppy Disk
Main Memory: 48KB