Museum

Computers: "Apple IIc with LCD monitor"

Apple did sell a version of the Apple IIc that had an LCD monitor. It did not sell very well, due to its cost and also because it made the normal Apple II screen appear distorted, causing the picture to appear "squished" vertically. Also, because the screen refresh was slower than on a normal CRT monitor, any program that had moving text or objects (such as the game Lode Runner) had some blurring artifact.. This screen plugged into the monitor port on the back of the computer, and was powered by the computer itself. The concept was sound, but the technical limitations of the mid-1980's made it impossible for this to meet most computer users expectations. If modern LCD technology had been available, a respectably powered portable Apple IIc would have been quite possible.

Although this version was not well accepted in the marketplace, a third-party LCD screen, the C-Vue, had a more normal appearing screen and sold a little better.

Of historical interest: Thanks to an e-mail tip by Zaccur Fettig, I have learned that this computer with its "futuristic" LCD screen was featured in the MGM motion picture, "2010: The Year We Make Contact", which played in theaters in 1984, the year the Apple IIc was released. Now I'll have to rent and view this movie to see yet another Apple product appear on the "big" screen.