Apple Lisa 2 Apple Lisa 2

Apple Lisa 2 Explained

On January 1st, 1984, Apple Computer Inc. introduced the world to the Lisa 2, a personal computer that was part of the company’s Lisa series. The computer, which was designed, manufactured, and sold by Apple, was met with great excitement upon its release, with its price starting at a steep $3,495.

The Lisa 2 featured a 5 MHz Motorola 68000 processor, a 12-inch CRT display, 512 KB of RAM, a 10 MB hard drive, and a 400 KB 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. These specs were considered top-of-the-line at the time, and the computer was marketed as a high-end machine for businesses and professionals.

However, Lisa 2’s reign was short-lived. On January 1st, 1985, Apple discontinued the computer and rebranded it as the Macintosh XL. The discontinuation of the Lisa 2 marked the end of an era for Apple, as the company shifted its focus to the Macintosh line of computers.

Today, the Apple Lisa 2 is 40 years old and considered a vintage computer. Although it may have had a brief stint on the market, it left a lasting impact on the technology industry and cemented Apple’s position as a leader in personal computing.

Apple Lisa 2
Source: americanhistory.si.edu – Apple Lisa 2

Apple Lisa 2 Details

IntroducedJanuary 1, 1984
DiscontinuedJanuary 1, 1985
Model Identifier2
Order NumberUnknown
Original Price$3,495 – $5,495
ColorsBeige
Weight55 Ibs.
24.947 KG
Dimensions13.8” H x 18.5” W x 15.2” D
35.05 cm H x 46.99 cm W x 38.6 cm D

Tech Specs

Processor

ProcessorMotorola 68000
Processor Speed5 MHz
Architecture16-bit
Number of Cores1
System Bus5 MHz

Memory

StorageBuilt-in 10 MB hard disk drive (Lisa 2/10) optional external
5 or 10 MB Apple ProFile hard disk drive (Lisa 2 and Lisa 2/5)
Built-in Memory512 KB
Maximum Memory2 MB
Memory Slots2 – Apple Lisa memory boards
ROM16 KB

Display

Built-in Display12”
Resolutions720 x 364 or 608 x 432 (with Screen Kit) at 60 Hz

Connections

ModemNone
Serial2 – RS-232C
1 – DE-9
Parallel1 – D-25 (used by built-in hard drive on Lisa 2/10)
Audio Out1 – Built-in speaker
Display1 – RCA composite video output

Expansion

Slots3 – Apple Lisa expansion slots
MediaBuilt-in 400 KB 3.5-inch floppy disk drive

Accessories

Keyboard76-key Selectric-style, detached keyboard with 10-key pad

Software

SoftwareLisa Office System 3.1

Power

Maximum Continuous Power150 W
Line Voltage115 or 230V AC

Further Reading and References

Disclaimer: The data presented in this article is under continuous development and has been manually collected from various sources based on their availability. The author of this article may revise this dataset as additional research is conducted and reviewed. Please note that the information is provided “as is” and “as available” without express or implied warranties. The author cannot be held responsible for any omissions, inaccuracies, or errors in the published information. Any warranties relating to this information are hereby disclaimed.

Last updated: March 7, 2023