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yann64andClaude Opus 5.5 b274874139 All machines linked to their forum thread (full comment import)
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Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01YDRjtmAiNpo5mK5N3d7QwZ
2026-10-13 17:26:43 +02:00

3.6 KiB

title, categories, types, origins, years, cpus, params
title categories types origins years cpus params
Franklin ACE 500
Computers
Professional Computer
U.S.A.
1983
MOS 65C02
name image company company_name specs tabs forum_thread photos docs oc_id source
ACE 500 /media/museum/photos/franklin_ace500_system_2.jpg /companies/franklin Franklin
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NAME ACE 500
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MANUFACTURER Franklin
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TYPE Professional Computer
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ORIGIN U.S.A.
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YEAR 1983
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END OF PRODUCTION 1983
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BUILT IN LANGUAGE Applesoft BASIC
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KEYBOARD Full stroke 90 keys with function keys and numeric keypad
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CPU MOS 65C02
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SPEED Unknown
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RAM 256 KB expandable to 512 KB on board
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ROM Unknown
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TEXT MODES 40 / 80 chars. x 24 lines (monochrome)
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GRAPHIC MODES 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)
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COLORS 16 maximum
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SOUND Built-in speaker
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I/O PORTS Parallel, Serial, NTSC RGB and composite video, joystick, mouse
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BUILT IN MEDIA Built-in 5.25
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OS Apple DOS 3.X
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POWER SUPPLY Built-in power supply unit
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PRICE Unknown
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FRONT VIEW /media/museum/photos/franklin_ace500_system_1.jpg
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CLOSE-UP /media/museum/photos/franklin_ace500_fdcloseup_1.jpg
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BACK SIDE **(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. /media/museum/photos/franklin_ace500_back_1.jpg
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OWNER'S REFERENCE MANUAL http://www.apple-iigs.info/doc/home.htm /media/museum/docs/couvs/franklin_ace500_doc-manual.jpg [**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 :**
793
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https://web.archive.org/web/20230129164849/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=793 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 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.

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.