Anyone can tell me what is this?

[Sheeb]

I bought an Apple II like 20 years ago and I think that this part came with it, but I am no longer sure, I can't remember...

Can anyone help me identify what it is?

Thanks!

Stephan

 

[ajacocks]

Looks like one of the many Microsoft Softcard clones, i.e. a board to allow an Apple II to run CP/M:

Z-80 SoftCard - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

- Alex

 

[daver2]

I agree with Alex, it is a Z80 card so that the Apple can run the CP/M Operating System.

Dave

 

[VERAULT]

What you got there is whats known as a lamp getter. You need to load up a disk with CP/M for apple II then load up a copy of this "productivity" software called Zork... When that loads up.. type "GET LAMP" and your off to the races..

 

[tradde]

Or "take lamp". Want to avoid those grues in the dark.

 

[syzygy]

 

[Sheeb]

Thank you guys!
So it is basically like a hard-wired computer to be implanted within another one, right?
Fascinating, the imagination they had back then is incredible...

 

[daver2]

Yes, it is a computer card in its own right - with a Z80 CPU and 64K of RAM.

The Apple is used for its disks, video screen, keyboard etc. (so basically the peripherals).

You load a program into the Apple that (effectively) turns it into a slave peripheral to the Z80 CPU running on the option card.

Most of the software (in the business world that is) was available for the CP/M operating system. As a result, it generally only ran on 8080, 8085, Z80 computers. If people used the Apple II for business, then adding a co-processor card gave them access to a much larger variety of business software than was available for the Apple.

Dave

 

[dabone]

That card doesn't have any ram, it uses the IIe's Ram.

There were a lot of clones.

https://mirrors.apple2.org.za/Apple II Documentation Project/Interface Cards/Z80 Cards/

Including a brand new one that's much faster that's available to buy now.

 

[daver2]

You are correct for that card. I was thinking about another part.

Dave