Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!ames!amdahl!bungia!meccts!meccsd!prw From: prw@meccsd.MECC.MN.ORG (Paul R. Wenker) Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: Apple Releases GS/OS and IIc Plus Message-ID: <1005@meccsd.MECC.MN.ORG> Date: 16 Sep 88 13:56:53 GMT Reply-To: prw@meccsd.UUCP (Paul R. Wenker) Organization: MECC Lines: 103 Today (9/16) at AppleFest, Apple released the IIc Plus and Apple IIGS System Software Version 4.0 (GS/OS). Here is the jist of the press releases. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Apple IIGS System Software, Version 4.0 Copyright 1988, Apple Computer, Inc. Apple IIGS System Software, Version 4.0 is a 16-bit, native-mode operating system (GS/OS) with a revised Finder, and two new utilities: the Installer and the Advanced Disk Utility. Version 4.0 system software improves the performance of independent, stand-alone Apple IIGS systems, and provides a powerful, versatile system software platform for non-networked Apple IIGS software products. The Apple IIGS system software, Version 4.0 features include: -- 16-Bit Operating System The essence of Apple IIGS System Software 4.0 is GS/OS, the first 16-bit, native-mode operating system. GS/OS significantly speeds up boot time, disk access time, and program launch time, and increases the performance of disk-intensive applications. Data can be accessed directly from a wide range of guest file systems via File System Translators. It also has the ability to access file systems that support very large files and storage media (up to 4 gigabytes). GS/OS is compatible with Apple IIGS ProDOS 16 and will run applications that follow ProDOS 16 design guidelines. -- Improved Finder The Finder has been improved to support GS/OS and to provide better overall desktop performance. Several new features are supported by a more informative interface, allowing better desktop management. -- Two New Utilities The Advanced Disk Utility and the Installer are two new system utilities included in the 4.0 release. The Advanced Disk Utility has an easy-to-use graphics interface, and provides functions such as initializing and erasing hard and floppy disks. Hard disks can be partitioned to create multiple file systems on a single disk. The Installer can be used to customize start-up disks to match the system configuration. For example, the Installer can be used to add a start-up disk to the appropriate system file needed to connect a SCSI hard disk or CD-ROM drive to the Apple IIGS. It also ensures system software integrity by updating associated system files to the correct version, freeing you from manual updates of system files. Apple IIGS System Software 4.0 requires 512K RAM and ROM version 01. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Apple IIc Plus Copyright 1988, Apple Computer, Inc. The Apple IIc Plus CPU has a built-in accelerator that increases speed from 1 megahertz to 4 megahertz, an internal power supply, and an internal 3.5 inch disk drive. It is a compact, lightweight computer that is versatile, easy-to-use, and compatible with a large number of software programs. The Apple IIc Plus replaces the Apple IIc and offers these enhancements: -- Increased Speed The Apple IIc Plus has a selectable, built-in accelerator that can increase its clock speed from 1 MHz to 4 MHz. This means that the Apple IIc Plus can run most programs four times faster than the Apple IIc. And, if a program is running too fast, the accelerator can be turned off so that the computer operates at 1 MHz (the operating speed of earlier models of the Apple II). -- 3.5" Internal Drive The Apple IIc Plus includes an internal, 3.5" 800K floppy disk drive with a push button for motorized disk ejection. The Apple IIc Plus has a disk storage capacity of over five times that of previous Apple IIc models (approximately 400 pages) and increased speed when maneuvering through applications. The Apple 3.5 Drive, Apple 5.25 Drive, or the UniDisk 3.5 Drive, or a combination of external drives can be configured with the Apple IIc Plus. This means that 5.25" disks can be used with the Apple IIc Plus. -- Improved Portability The Apple IIc Plus has an internal power supply which is self-contained, making the Apple IIc Plus highly transportable. Its handle makes the Apple IIc Plus easy to transport and locks in a downward position, providing a stable inclined keyboard for greater convenience. -- Standardized Apple Cables The Apple IIc Plus (as well as Apple IIGS and Macintosh CPUs) uses the same Apple System Peripheral-8 cable for connecting peripherals to built-in serial ports. -- Software Compatibility Existing software applications work with the Apple IIc Plus and take full advantage of its new features. Over 500 software applications for the Apple IIc Plus are available on 3.5" media.