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Differences between Apple II and II plus motherboards 

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bitfixer

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Hi all,
Can anyone help point out the visual differences between an Apple II (original) and II plus motherboards?
I may get the opportunity to buy an original II, and want to be able to tell the difference. Looked at a few examples but wasn't sure if I could spot the giveaway differences. Any help appreciated, thanks.
 
There is no difference. There are several revisions, and some early ones only existed before there was a Plus.

However, the only difference was the ROMs when they were selling both versions.
 
The only real difference was the ROMset, so get a picture of the ROMs and also a picture of the PCB part number.
Also the ICs date codes might tell if it was in the pre-PLUS era (1977, 1978 ).
Anyway this is only a collector's issue as the II and II+ were really the same machine with a different ROM set.
Frank
 
If you’re specifically looking for a II that predates the Plus’ commercial availability a rule of thumb would be that most, but not all, Pluses were built after the 4K/16k jumper blocks on the motherboard went away. Truly ancient “original” IIs with the Rev. 0 motherboard are rare as hen’s teeth, and that’s the only board that’s actually functionally different from the IIplus, in that its video circuitry was slightly different and only supported four colors instead of six.

But, yeah, the “plain II” was in the catalog well into the 1980’s and, conversely, many if not most IIs eventually got updated to AppleSoft ROMs (and/or Language Cards) if they were actually being actively used, so you may just be looking at paying a serious premium for a different badge on the lid.
 
There is some detail about the hardware differences between the various revisions of the original Apple II and the Apple II Plus motherboards in Jim Sather's Understanding the Apple II, Appendix G. In short, if it looks like there is an RFI revision motherboard in the system, don't pay original Apple II prices.
 
Thank you for the info everyone. Unfortunately the Apple II opportunity failed to materialize, so I'll be playing with my II+ for the time being. Which is fine with me, as long as choplifter still works. Also what was that game where you have to protect a convoy of trucks with your helicopter? That was a good one, played the heck out of that at my neighbor's house as a kid.
 
bitfixer said:
Thank you for the info everyone. Unfortunately the Apple II opportunity failed to materialize, so I'll be playing with my II+ for the time being.
Click to expand...

For the full Apple II experience just boot your DOS 3.3 master and type the word "INT". Sticking a piece of brown tape over the green "plus" script on your nameplate is optional.
 
Good to know, brown tape is definitely cheaper than an Apple II. Should market a piece of tape in the right shape as an 'Apple II conversion kit' and make a bundle.
 
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