iigs

The Apple IIgs, also written IIGS, was introduced by Apple Computer in 1986 as the high-end member of the Apple II family. Marketed with the Graphics and Sound branding, it combined backward compatibility with a new 16-bit processor and enhanced graphics and audio capabilities, alongside a graphical user interface.

Hardware and design aspects include a 16-bit 65C816 CPU running at roughly 2 MHz, a memory system expandable beyond the base RAM, and the traditional Apple II slot expansion model for add-on cards. It shipped with a built-in 3.5-inch floppy drive and supported external storage options through third-party interfaces. The system integrated improved graphics and sound hardware, including a capable Ensoniq sound processor for stereo audio, which represented a substantial upgrade over earlier Apple II machines and enabled more advanced multimedia software.

Software and operating system features centered on GS/OS, released in 1988, a graphical operating system with a DeskTop-style interface and multitasking capabilities. The IIgs retained compatibility with existing Apple II software through ProDOS and 6502-based emulation, while offering a more modern programming environment and native 16-bit applications. This combination of compatibility and new capabilities aimed to bridge the traditional Apple II software ecosystem with newer Macintosh-style software approaches.

Market context and legacy: The IIgs appeared during a period of growing competition from Macintosh and IBM-compatible systems. Its higher price and evolving software library limited broad adoption, and production waned by the early 1990s. Nevertheless, the Apple IIgs is remembered for delivering significant hardware and software advances within the Apple II line and remains a focal point of retrocomputing interest.