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Non Platinum, Platinum //e !!! Huh ??

Moonferret

Moonferret

Experienced Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2003
Messages
489
Location
Northwest (UK)
Hi Folks!

Just picked up this Apple //e today and I'm a little confused. From what I can see on the internet, there are two major versions of the //e. Beige one without numeric keypad and the later, platinum one with keypad. However, this one seems to be a bit of a mix, platinum but without numeric keypad. Photos....(Casing has yellowed a little)

DSC02701.jpgDSC02700.jpgDSC02698.jpg

Anybody have any info on this model?

Cheers,
Dave
 
Now that is an oddball. I've seen pictures of such a machine before though - from what I remember it was a variant only available in some european markets. It's clearly got the European logic board (AUX slot in front of slot 3) and the european version keyboard with the different layout. And that is a platinum logic board, with the high density DRAMs. Perhaps they didn't have the extended keyboard ready in the european layout or something so they just made these? I have no idea.

I have no idea how common they are, but they can't be very...

-Ian
 
I'd say it's probably between the two other models, as far as age - that or it's post-platinum and they were re-using keyboards/cases from the normal IIe to make platinum units and this is the result. All conjecture, though.
 
The platinum iie kbd cut out is very different from beige, so I doubt it's a recycled case (the bottom, maybe. but definitely not the top.)
I think it's just the severe case yellowing throwing off the colour in the photo; I think it's a beige unit.
 
dorkbert said:
The platinum iie kbd cut out is very different from beige, so I doubt it's a recycled case (the bottom, maybe. but definitely not the top.)
I think it's just the severe case yellowing throwing off the colour in the photo; I think it's a beige unit.
Click to expand...

Unless someone used too much RetroBright, I doubt a beige case would ever naturally "de-yellow" itself to the pale gray seen here. And also the Apple logo and //e nameplate have a white background, instead of the dark brown background usually seen on beige //e models. (Although, it does still use the older logo and nameplate, instead of the plain, non-italic "Apple IIe" text seen on the U.S. Platinum model.)

Here's a photo showing the beige //e and platinum IIe side-by-side:
314xouv.jpg
 
Hi Folks,

Little more info on this machine....
Serial No - 2A2S2-928482
Motherboard - Part number is 607-0288-C - Apple IIe International NTSC
Keyboard & PSU are full UK Spec
Various markings all point to it being produced in 1987
Keyboard appears to be the same colour as the standard beige IIe

Questions...
Why an NTSC board in a UK machine?
Does anybody know if the normal Platinum IIe was ever sold in the UK / Europe?

Couple more photo's comparing this machine against a mint, non-yellowed beige IIe...
DSC02714.jpgDSC02706.jpg

Photo's taken in UK daylight (what little there is!! )
 
Moonferret said:
Questions...
Why an NTSC board in a UK machine?
Click to expand...

As far as I was able to determine the last time this was mentioned, the old Apple //e board came in NTSC and PAL versions, both of which can display color using their respective TV systems. But perhaps to cut costs, the new IIe board only came in NTSC and "International NTSC" versions. "International NTSC" was the same as NTSC except modified to use PAL's 50 Hz refresh rate, instead of NTSC's 60 Hz. PAL monitors or TV sets will only be able to display this in black & white, because the color system is incorrect. To display PAL in color, Apple sold a separate PAL card which could be installed on an International NTSC board.
 
These might be more common that you think. My first Apple IIe was a non-platinum. However, imagine my surprise when I popped the lid and found the circuit board said "Apple IIe International NTSC". I'd always assumed that someone had put a platinum board in there, especially when I later GOT a real IIe platinum and found it contained exactly the same type of board!??

Both boards say NTSC but I'm in a PAL part of the world. However, I get good colour on apple colour monitors. However I did discover that the IOU chip at least differs depending on whether you are 240v/PAL or 110V/NTSC.

Both my units were assembled in Singapore.

Maybe a line of Apple IIe with more traditonal cases, but Platinum boards were released then?

Tez
 
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