The elusive Apple IIe to IIgs upgrade model

[MattPilz]

Here's something you don't see every day. I was gifted this by a former member of an Apple computer club I'm affiliated with. It actually came close to ending up at an electronic recycling event had we not gotten in contact. A bit of a trek getting it, but certainly worth it.

 

This is the mostly unheard of IIe to IIgs upgrade model that was a $499 service through Apple in 1987. An Apple-authorized dealer would swap the IIe board with a IIgs board and subtly modified case to give users the new hardware performance while retaining the original IIe shell. This wasn't a popular option considering it required they sacrifice the IIe board and still purchase all the IIgs peripherals separately.

 

I have done some modifications to this one including an Uthernet for network capability, internal SNES controller adapter (currently of limited use but works with PETSCII Robots), a 8MB RAM expansion and a ReActiveMicro Drive/Turbo for storage. And of course replaced the internal battery with an external battery holder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hwlngmad]

8 hours ago, MattPilz said:

Here's something you don't see every day. I was gifted this by a former member of an Apple computer club I'm affiliated with. It actually came close to ending up at an electronic recycling event had we not gotten in contact. A bit of a trek getting it, but certainly worth it.

 

This is the mostly unheard of IIe to IIgs upgrade model that was a $499 service through Apple in 1987. An Apple-authorized dealer would swap the IIe board with a IIgs board and subtly modified case to give users the new hardware performance while retaining the original IIe shell. This wasn't a popular option considering it required they sacrifice the IIe board and still purchase all the IIgs peripherals separately.

 

I have done some modifications to this one including an Uthernet for network capability, internal SNES controller adapter (currently of limited use but works with PETSCII Robots), a 8MB RAM expansion and a ReActiveMicro Drive/Turbo for storage. And of course replaced the internal battery with an external battery holder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That is cool as hell and definitely a little piece of history, especially if you have any documentation that went with it.  Thanks for sharing!  Much appreciated.

[+OLD CS1]

I like the detail of the IIgs badge.

[KG7PFS]

Cool LEDs too. Is that the Uthernet board?

[Keatah]

Casemodding..

[GameGeezer]

I have one these with a IIx KB. I will send some photos your way if you are curious.

[cdoty]

I wonder if the keyboard "Enhanced" sticker was replaced on the upgrade.

[Baldrick]

On 12/10/2021 at 10:25 AM, cdoty said:

I wonder if the keyboard "Enhanced" sticker was replaced on the upgrade.

My "Stealth" GS has no "enhanced" sticker over the power light.  Later IIe models didn't have this anyway.

[GameGeezer]

[GameGeezer]

[c0op3r]

I love the IIe to IIgs upgrade kit - but I also love the IIe Platinum to I decided to make what never existed.  Something that was actually talked about at Apple and became the IIgs.  The IIx

 

I started with a IIe to IIgs Upgrade kit, got a IIe Platinum top and keyboard and Made a IIx, then I went the extra distance:

 

I no longer have the TransWarp installed they are just too flaky, I have a ZipGS installed now.  Other then that it is the same still.

[Baldrick]

The "Stealth" GS, while less common than any IIGS (or any IIe for that matter) was actually not all that rare.

In fact, I have one that is my daily driver right on my desktop.  It was sold to me by a friend who had three of them sitting in his attic, by all accounts had been there for quite some time.

 

I think that there may have also been a spate of stealth GS conversions done recently due to the availability of new IIe clear cases made by MacEffects, and their reproduction badges that say either Apple IIe or Apple IIGS with the correct fonts and colours.  Since the ROM 01 GS board can be easily modified for use with old style power supply connectors and IIe keyboard connectors (both sets of holes are on the PCB, just not populated) it makes changeover fairly easy - all you'd need to do is cut the basepan to accommodate the IIGS peripheral connector set.  However those would not be "true" IIGS models.https://maceffects.com/products/maceffects-clear-case-for-apple-iie

 

I'd ask you (and anyone else) who has a IIGS or true "stealth" GS to contact Antoine Vignau at Brutal Deluxe https://www.brutaldeluxe.fr/ who is building a database of IIGS models.  Take a picture of your nameplate and send it to him.

 

 

Edited March 13, 2022 by Baldrick

[ColecoGamer]

Very nice! I had no idea this upgrade existed.

 

When the time and finances are right, I plan on purchasing an Apple IIGS.