Subject: The IIgs upgrade kit
From: Bryan Villados <news001@macgeek.org>
Date: 9/3/99

Here's some info on the IIgs upgrade which I once owned...

The IIgs upgrade kit worked in the original IIe cases (beige). The only
thing missing would be the numeric keypad. I was among the first to buy
an upgrade, which was the day the IIgs was introducted (I think it was
September 26, 1986). I still have my invoice from Computerland
somewhere... I didn't actually receive the upgrade until December. I
don't think Apple would be able to get away with such a long delay
today without consumers and the media torchering them.

What they did was replace logic board, and the bottom piece with one
that'll better fit the IIgs logic board and the various ports on the
back. They also pulled off the "Apple" and "IIe" labels on the cover
and replaced them with "Apple" and "IIgs" (the Platinum cover actually
has "Apple IIe" painted on, so I don't know how they handled that on
the upgrade. Replace the cover???) If you look at the logic board from
the upgrade, it has both power connections for a IIgs or IIe power
supply. It also has the built-in keyboard connections. Interesting
enough, my Woz IIgs also has the same exact logic board as the IIgs
upgrade.

FACTOID: The Apple IIgs labels the owner of the "portable" IIgs
<http://www.apple2.org/PageImages/AppleIIgsPortName.GIF> placed on his
unit came from a IIgs Upgrade kit.

In January 1987, Apple mailed me a "Woz Limited Edition" certificate.
Cool!!!! So those "Woz" totals should include IIgs Upgrades as well. I
still have the certificate... And you can see it at 

<http://www.macgeek.org/images/a2gscertwoz_72.jpg> (72KB, 72dpi)

and

<http://www.macgeek.org/images/a2gsletterwoz_72.jpg> (64KB, 72dpi).

For you archive people, feel free to put these graphics into your
library. I think these images are a lot cleaner than what I've seen
on-line. I originally scanned them at 300dpi, printed them on glossy
paper, and framed the copies. I got the originals locked away!

About a year after my upgrade (my logic board became damaged but it was
under AppleCare), Computerland replaced the logic board with a ROM 01
version. It still handled the built-in keyboard and IIe power supply. 

Looking at my ROM 03 logic board on another system, I wouldn't be able
to put it into the IIe case because they lack the IIe power supply and
built-in keyboard connectors (at least on mine).

I wanna kick myself in the ass for selling the IIgs upgrade in 1991.
However, the person who bought it is also an Apple fanatic, so I know
it's in good hands! However, I do have the IIgs Upgrade manual, which I
believe is mega-rare!!!!