The Apple ][e is as far back as I go. Apple Computers, Inc. began in a Northern California garage with one brilliant and humorous guy who invented the thing, another guy who loved marketing (and himself) and another lesser known guy who created the first logo but bolted because the risk of starting a new company was too much on him. Thus leaving the two 'Steves' (respectively Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs) to create the first truly user-friendly computer in 1976. By 1978, as Apple became an actual company, out came the Apple II, which now featured a finished product in a fancy plastic case. Its follow-up was the Apple II Plus, which helped catapult Apple into legendary status as one of the most successful startups in history. Next was the IIe. It was hugely popular with schools, and literally fueled most of Apple's financial growth well after the introduction of the Apple III, The Lisa, and even the original Macintosh.

My 3 IIes are among my favorite computers. The first one, and the oldest, is still running great, My second one is more of a parts-whore for the other other two, and my third is my baby. I love this machine. After years of graphic design, working with Disney and Questia, and hundreds of Web clients, I decided to go "back-to-basic" and put this wonderful machine back together from several purchases on Ebay. The result is a smokin' IIe and platform for me to learn the basics of programming just like those back then did. Of course, I've picked up a bunch of programs along the way to have fun with the machines, just like back then. Beagle Brothers stuff up through Atari versions of Nameco favorites including Pac Man, BattleZone, Galaxian, and many more. In 2006, it was a challenge to find even the simplest software, such as Dos 3.3 and ProDOS - the basic operating systems of the day. But thanks to Ebay and Syndicomm, I've been able to get a handle on the basic software to get the most out of my IIes.

For the most comprehensive information on the history of Apple II computers, visit Apple2History.org. It has helped me trmendously.

Click on one of the following images to see pics of each of the 3 computers, and various expansion cards.

  

][e 1983                                     ][e 1984

  

//e (Enhanced Chipset) 1985                     Misc ][e Cards