Lisa 2

Lisa 2. It was a revised and more affordable version of the groundbreaking but commercially unsuccessful Apple Lisa, introduced by Apple Inc. in January 1984. The system retained the advanced graphical user interface and Motorola 68000-based architecture of its predecessor while addressing critical cost and performance issues. This redesign, which included new storage options and a lower price point, was a strategic effort to salvage the Lisa project and compete more effectively in the burgeoning business computer market against rivals like IBM and emerging GUI systems.

Development and release

The development of the Lisa 2 was a direct response to the poor market reception of the original Apple Lisa, which was hampered by its high price and relatively slow performance. Under the leadership of John Couch and influenced by Steve Jobs's earlier vision, Apple Inc. engineers rapidly re-engineered the system to lower production costs. Key changes included the replacement of the proprietary Twiggy drive with a single Apple FileWare drive and the option for an internal Profile hard disk from Apple Computer. The Lisa 2 was officially announced and released in January 1984 at the Apple Annual Meeting in Cupertino, California, coinciding with the launch of the Macintosh 128K. This release was part of a broader corporate strategy to streamline Apple's product line and create a clearer distinction between its professional and consumer offerings, a plan further shaped by Jobs's involvement with the Macintosh project.

Hardware specifications

The Lisa 2 featured a significant hardware overhaul from the original model, centered on improving reliability and reducing cost. It was powered by the same Motorola 68000 microprocessor running at 5 MHz, paired with 512 KB of RAM as standard, which was expandable to 1 MB. The most notable change was the abandonment of the unreliable Twiggy drive for a single built-in 3.5-inch Apple FileWare floppy drive, with an optional external second drive. For storage, users could install an internal 5 MB or later 10 MB Profile hard drive, a product of Apple Computer's storage division. The system maintained the 12-inch monochrome built-in display with a resolution of 720 by 364 pixels, one RS-232 port, and included support for an external Apple Monitor II.

Software and operating system

The Lisa 2 shipped with Lisa OS, the same integrated, cooperative-multitasking operating system as its predecessor, renowned for its advanced graphical user interface featuring concepts like menu bars, pull-down menus, and overlapping windows. Core applications, known as Lisa software, included the LisaWrite word processor, LisaCalc spreadsheet, LisaDraw drawing tool, and LisaList database, which were designed to work together through a unified clipboard. Following the 1984 introduction of the Macintosh, Apple Inc. released a software update package called MacWorks, which allowed the Lisa 2 to run Macintosh System Software and its applications, effectively bridging the two platforms. This software compatibility was a critical factor in the machine's later rebranding as the Macintosh XL.

Reception and legacy

Initial reception of the Lisa 2 was more favorable than for the original Apple Lisa, with reviewers from publications like *Byte* and InfoWorld praising its reduced price and improved storage reliability. However, it still faced intense competition from the lower-cost Macintosh 128K and IBM PC compatibles, preventing it from achieving significant commercial success. Its primary legacy was as a transitional product; in early 1985, remaining inventory was modified with MacWorks and sold as the Macintosh XL before the entire line was discontinued in April 1985. The Lisa 2's technologies and lessons directly influenced the development of later Apple computers, particularly the Macintosh Plus and the Apple LaserWriter, while its failure led to the dissolution of the Lisa project team and a refocusing of Apple Inc. on the Macintosh platform.

Technical specifications

The technical specifications of the Lisa 2 defined it as a capable business workstation for its era. Its central processing unit was a Motorola 68000 running at 5 MHz. Standard memory configuration was 512 KB of RAM, expandable on the main logic board to 1 MB via additional DRAM chips. Standard storage included one internal 3.5-inch Apple FileWare floppy drive (871 KB capacity), with an optional external second drive or an internal 5 MB or 10 MB Profile SCSI hard drive. Video output was provided for the integrated 12-inch monochrome monitor with a resolution of 720 by 364 pixels. Expansion and connectivity were handled through a single RS-232 serial port, and the system was housed in the same distinctive vertical case design as the original Apple Lisa, with a detached keyboard and Lisa Mouse. Category:Apple Inc. hardware Category:Personal computers Category:Computer-related introductions in 1984