---
title: Franklin ACE 500
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- U.S.A.
years:
- '1983'
cpus:
- MOS 65C02
params:
  name: ACE 500
  image: /media/museum/photos/franklin_ace500_system_2.jpg
  company: /companies/franklin
  company_name: Franklin
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: ACE 500
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Franklin
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: U.S.A.
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1983'
  - label: END OF PRODUCTION
    value: '1983'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Applesoft BASIC
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full stroke 90 keys with function keys and numeric keypad
  - label: CPU
    value: MOS 65C02
  - label: SPEED
    value: Unknown
  - label: RAM
    value: 256 KB expandable to 512 KB on board
  - label: ROM
    value: Unknown
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 / 80 chars. x 24 lines (monochrome)
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 'All of the Apple IIc modes: 40 x 48 (16 col) / 80 x 48 (16 col) / 280 x 192 (6 col) / 140 x 192 (16 col) / 560 x 192 (mono)'
  - label: COLORS
    value: 16 maximum
  - label: SOUND
    value: Built-in speaker
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Parallel, Serial, NTSC RGB and composite video, joystick, mouse
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: Built-in 5.25
  - label: OS
    value: Apple DOS 3.X
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - photos
  - docs
  forum_thread: 774
  photos:
  - title: FRONT VIEW
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/franklin_ace500_system_1.jpg
  - title: CLOSE-UP
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/franklin_ace500_fdcloseup_1.jpg
  - title: BACK SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** Serial port DIN plug\
      **(2)** Configuration switches\
      **(3)** Parallel DB25 connector\
      **(4)** External drive unit DB15 connector\
      **(5)** Mouse and Joystick DB9 connector\
      **(6)** RGB video out DB9 connector\
      **(7)** Monochrome composite video out RCA jack\
      **(8)** DC power plug. An external AC adaptor provides power.
    image: /media/museum/photos/franklin_ace500_back_1.jpg
  docs:
  - title: OWNER'S REFERENCE MANUAL
    url: http://www.apple-iigs.info/doc/home.htm
    cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/franklin_ace500_doc-manual.jpg
    text: |-
      [**OWNER'S REFERENCE MANUAL**](http://www.apple-iigs.info/doc/home.htm)written by Franklin

       type of document : PDF\
       size : 11,7 MB\
       source : [www.apple-iigs.info](http://www.apple-iigs.info/)

      **... READ THE ONLINE VERSION BY CLICKING BELOW :**
  oc_id: 793
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230129164849/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=793
    date: '2023-01-29'
---

The Franklin ACE 500 was a 100% Apple IIe and Apple IIc compatible computer with a built-in 5.25" disk drive and 256 KB of RAM.

It looked pretty much like a black //c, featured all of the standard Apple ports and a better keyboard with a numeric keypad. It was also very similar to the [Laser 128](/museum/video-technology-laser-128-128ex-128ex2/) in design and features.

The ACE 500 was the last Apple II compatible Franklin manufactured. Its capabilities and abilities were identical to the Ace 2000 series. The Company was sued in 1982 by Apple for copyright and patent infringement and ceased making computers in August 1983.

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>