KB10003: Apple II and Macintosh Overview

Apple II Series

The Apple II line began in 1977 and evolved through the II Plus, IIe, IIc, and IIgs. These 8-bit machines used the 6502 processor and became fixtures in schools and homes. The IIe was particularly long-lived; the IIc offered a compact, portable design; the IIgs added 16-bit capability and better graphics and sound. Production of Apple II systems continued into the 1990s.

Original Macintosh

The Macintosh 128K debuted in 1984 as the first mass-market computer with a graphical interface, built-in screen, and mouse. It used a 68000 CPU at 8 MHz, 128 KB RAM, and a 9-inch monochrome display at 512×342. It was the first consumer machine to use the 3.5-inch floppy format. The 512K model followed with more memory; the Plus added SCSI and a floppy drive upgrade path. The compact all-in-one design and WYSIWYG software made it influential for desktop publishing.

Common Restoration Notes

Apple II power supplies often need recapping; the RIFA caps in particular are known to fail. Keyboard switches can develop contact issues. On the original Mac, the analog board and CRT can develop problems; capacitor replacement on the analog board is common. Case yellowing affects many beige Macs and Apple II units. Floppy drives need cleaning and sometimes new belts or head alignment. When recapping, use the correct values and polarities; incorrect parts can cause further damage.