 | Introduced: January 1983 Terminated: January 1985 |
Logic Board
Processor: 68000
Processor Speed: 5 MHz
PMMU: none
FPU: none
Bus Speed: 5 MHz
Data Path: 16-bit
ROM Size: 16K
Level 1 Cache: none
Level 2 Cache: none
Expansion Slots: 3 Proprietary Lisa Slots
Battery: Onboard
Memory
RAM Type: Lisa Cards
RAM Slots: 2
Min – Max RAM: 0.5 MB – 2 MB
Install in groups of: 1
RAM Sizes: 512K
Onboard RAM: none
Ports
ADB: none
USB: none
FireWire: none
Video: RCA
Floppy: none
SCSI: none
Geoports: none
Ethernet: none
Mic Type: none
Other ports: Parallel printer port, 2 x DB-9 serial ports, audio out (CVSD), DB-9 mouse port
Video
Standard VRAM: none
Maximum VRAM: none
Display Resolution:
- 640 x 480, 1-bit
- Screen size is 12-inch, 720 x 364, 608 x 431 with Screen Kit. The built-in monitor is black and white.
Storage
Standard CD-ROM: none
Internal Hard Drive: none
External Hard Drive: Apple ProFile Drive (5 MB – 10 MB)
Floppy Disk Drive: 2 x 860K Twiggy 5.25-inch drives
Operating System
Addressing Modes: 24-bit
Original OS: Lisa OS
Original Enabler: none
AppleTalk Version: Not Applicable
Miscellaneous
Codename: Lisa
Form Factor: Lisa
Dimensions (Inches): 15.2 H x 18.7 W x 13.8 D
Average Weight (lbs): 48
Gestalt ID: 2
Original Price: $9,995 US
Comments
The Lisa is Apple’s forgotten gamble into the business market. It was released a year earlier than the Macintosh and was Apple’s first computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). The Lisa was underpowered and overpriced. At $9,995, only large corporations could afford to purchase one. Apple had little experience in this market and had almost no chance of breaking IBM’s dominance of the business world. Although the Lisa was a far more advanced computer than IBM could offer, its lack of software and interoperability with IBM-based networks made it a loser before it ever got started. The 5 MHz, 68000 chip was not up to the task of managing the complex GUI operating system. A famous insider joke at Apple went something like this: “Knock, Knock. Who’s there? (a long, long pause) Lisa.” The Lisa ended up as a dismal failure and Apple learned a lot from the experience as many of Lisa’s technologies later found their way to the Macintosh.