What is it?

This is a premium 80-column text card for Apple II computers, featuring high-quality ENIG (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold) PCB finish. This expansion card allows your Apple II to display 80 columns of text instead of the standard 40 columns, effectively doubling your horizontal screen real estate. The card plugs into one of the Apple II's expansion slots and provides enhanced text display capabilities that were essential for business applications, programming, and word processing.

Why did you make it?

The original Apple II was limited to 40-column text display, which was quite restrictive for many applications, especially as 80-column displays became the industry standard in the early 1980s. This limitation made tasks like spreadsheet work, word processing, and programming particularly challenging. By creating this modern version with ENIG finish, I wanted to provide Apple II enthusiasts and vintage computer users with a reliable, high-quality solution that not only matches but exceeds the original specifications. The ENIG finish ensures superior conductivity, corrosion resistance, and longevity compared to traditional PCB finishes.

What makes it special?

What sets this card apart is the meticulous attention to quality and durability. The ENIG gold plating on the PCB fingers ensures excellent electrical connectivity and prevents oxidation that can plague vintage computer hardware over decades. This premium finish provides several advantages: it offers better signal integrity, reduces contact resistance, and ensures reliable operation even after repeated insertions and removals. The card is designed to be fully compatible with existing Apple II software and provides crisp, clear 80-column text output. Whether you're running VisiCalc, WordStar, or programming in BASIC, this card transforms your Apple II into a much more capable machine while maintaining the authentic vintage computing experience. The gold-plated contacts also give it a premium aesthetic that complements the classic Apple II design.