[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Apple Lisa and Apple IIe
January 21st, 2013 by Benj Edwards
APPLE’S BOLD NEW COMPUTERS IN ALL-CAPS
Thirty years ago last Saturday (January 19th, 1983), Apple announced two new computers: the Apple Lisa and the Apple IIe.
Ultimately, the Apple Lisa met an early end, leaving behind technology that shaped the entire industry. The Apple IIe remained a reliable breadwinner during uncertain times in the early life of the Macintosh and remained the flagship member of Apple’s popular 8-bit computer line until it ended in 1993.
Here’s the cover of the March 1983 issue of Popular Computing which featured Apple’s two new machines. It has always been one of my favorite vintage computer magazine covers.
By the way, I recently wrote an article about this anniversary for Macworld in case you’re interested.
Discussion Topic of the Week: Have you ever used an Apple Lisa? What did you think about it?
January 21st, 2013 at 4:17 pm
Never used one. I saw one as a conversation piece once, a few years ago in the office of an executive of a well-known Silicon Valley company. He had no regrets about ever purchasing it for $10K when it first came out.
January 22nd, 2013 at 9:42 am
I had that magazine! And had a tricked out Apple II Plus to boot.
January 25th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
Argh. The Lisa is one computer I’ve never seen in real life. I can say, though, that I used an Apple IIe, which was actually a fun, easy to use rig. I had one both in my HS Journalism class (1987-’88) and at home. The keyboard action was so smooth and effortless that I cranked out a short autobiographical story on it in my spare time and saved it to disk. I spent hours playing Lemonade Stand on the one at home.
January 25th, 2013 at 5:34 pm
Ack, where’s the Liquid Paper? I just realized it was an Apple IIc. My mistake.