website/content/museum/video-technology-laser-128-128ex-128ex2.md

---
title: Video Technology LASER 128 / 128EX / 128EX2
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Hong Kong
years:
- '1988'
cpus:
- 65C02
params:
  name: LASER 128 / 128EX / 128EX2
  image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_system_1.jpg
  company: /companies/video-technology
  company_name: Video Technology
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: LASER 128 / 128EX / 128EX2
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Video Technology
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Hong Kong
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1988'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: V.T. version of AppleSoft BASIC
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke 91 keys with numeric keypad and arrow keys
  - label: CPU
    value: 65C02
  - label: SPEED
    value: 3.6 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: 3 x V.T. custom chips
  - label: RAM
    value: 128 KB (up to 1MB)
  - label: VRAM
    value: 64 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 192 KB
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 40 / 80 x 24 (monochrom)
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 'All the Apple IIc modes, with an extra set for RGB: 40 x 48 / 80 x 48 / 280 x 192 / 560 x 192. 4 lines of text mode can be mixed with a truncated the 40 x 48 and 280 x 192 modes.'
  - label: COLORS
    value: 16 (40 - 80 x 48) / 6 (280 x 192) / 16 (560 x 192)
  - label: SOUND
    value: Built-in speaker
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 38 (W) x 32.5 (D) x 7.7 (H) cm.
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: RS232 (2), MIDI, Centronics, Tape, Composite, LCD output (for flat panel display), RGB, External Drive
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: Built-in 5.25 floppy disc drive
  - label: OS
    value: DOS 3.3
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: External power supply (15V dc, 12A, 18w)
  - label: PRICE
    value: About $700
  tabs:
  - photos
  - hardware
  - docs
  photos:
  - title: SYSTEM
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Notice the three switches above the keyboard.\
      From left to right:\
      \- 40 or 80 columns video mode\
      \- Parellel or Serial printer\
      \- Mono or Color monitor.
    image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_system_2.jpg
  - title: LEFT SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: Notice the Laser expansion box connector allowing additional Apple compatible expansion slots to be added.
    image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_leftside_1.jpg
  - title: RIGHT SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: 5.25" floppy disc drive also made by V.Tech, volume knob and external speaker jack.
    image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_rightside_1.jpg
  - title: KEYBOARD CLOSE-UP
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_keyboard_1.jpg
  - title: BOTTOM SIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: The trap door allows the user to update the Laser BASIC ROM version, and enable slots 5 and 7 as built-in or external devices (2 switches).
    image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_bottom_1.jpg
  - title: REAR CONNECTORS
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** Joystick or mouse DB9 connector\
      **(2)** Parallel printer DB15 connector\
      **(3)** RGB video DB15 connector\
      **(4)** Composite video RCA jack\
      **(5)** External drive unit connector (5.25" or 3.5")\
      **(6)** First Serial DIN plug, mainly intended for a modem\
      **(7)** Second Serial DIN plug, mainly intended for a serial printer\
      **(8)** External power supply DIN plug\
      **(9)** Power switch\
      **(10)** Laser BASIC ROM trap door
    image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_back_1.jpg
  - title: INSIDE
    subtitle: ''
    text: In order to meet U.S. radio frequencies limitation rules, all of the internal components, including the floppy drive, are surrounded with a metallic shield
    image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_inside_1.jpg
  - title: MOTHERBOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The manufacturing quality of the Laser main board is not as good as that of the original APPLE IIc.

      **(1)** 2 x ACIA 6551 chips used for external asynchronous communications\
      **(2)** Internal floppy drive connector\
      **(3)** Custom Video Technology chip in charge of floppy drives management\
      **(4)** Power regulators chips with a common cooler\
      **(5)** 128 KB basic RAM chips - 4 x 41464 (64K x 4 bits)\
      **(6)** Keyboard cables\
      **(7)** Intel 8048 microcontroller used to manage the keyboard\
      **(8)** 65C02 processor\
      **(9)** Connector for the 1 MB RAM expansion board\
      **(10)** Volume ajustment and external speaker jack\
      **(11)** Custom V-Tech chip in charge of memory management\
      **(12)** BIOS and BASIC ROM location. The ROM chip is soldered on the bottom side of the board\
      **(13)** Custom V-Tech chip in charge of various video mode management\
      **(14)** 64 KB video RAM chips - 2 x 41464
    image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_mboard_1.jpg
  - title: MOTHERBOARD CLOSE-UP
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Foreground: 65C02 processor and 8048 chip\
      Background: V.Tech memory and video custom chips.
    image: /media/museum/photos/videotech_laser128ex_mbcloseup_1.jpg
  hardware:
  - title: FD-100
    subtitle: 5.25'' external disk drive
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/vtech_laser128_fd100_1.jpg
  - title: RAM EXPANSION
    subtitle: ''
    text: 128 KB non-volatile RAM expansion box with its battery charger.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/videotech_laser128ex_ramexp_s1.jpg
  docs:
  - title: USER'S GUIDE / BASIC MANUAL
    url: http://www.apple-iigs.info/doc/home.htm
    cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/vtech_laser128_doc.jpg
    text: |-
      [**USER'S GUIDE / BASIC MANUAL**](http://www.apple-iigs.info/doc/home.htm)written by Vtech

       type of document : PDF\
       size : 10,7 MB\
       source : [www.apple-iigs.info](http://www.apple-iigs.info/)
  - title: FD100C FLOPPY DISK DRIVE - USER'S MANUAL
    url: null
    cover: /media/museum/docs/couvs/vtech_laser128_fd100c_user-manual.jpg
    text: |-
      **FD100C FLOPPY DISK DRIVE - USER'S MANUAL**\
      written by Video Technology

       compiled/archived by Mark Frischknecht\
       type of document : PDF\
       source : [www.old-computers.com](http://jef.raskincenter.org/)
  comments:
  - author: Numanoid (Norway)
    date: Sunday 25th April 2021
    text: In several ads in Compute! magazine during 1988, vendors off the Laser 128 offer it at less than USD400. So if the launch prize was USD700, it must have quickly started to fall.
  - author: Adam (Flushing, MI)
    date: Tuesday 22nd August 2006
    text: I had one of the PC XT Laser clones, which I got to replace my TRS-80 CoCo2. This was around 1989. I used the Laser in high school and my freshman year in college. I found it much more useful after getting an external 3.5" drive. Overall, not a bad system for the money. Light gaming (only CGA graphics), word processor, spreadsheet, etc. I actually ran some applications for some engineering courses on it, which saved me some trip to the computer lab. Something happened with the power supply and the computer quit booting. It would beep and go crazy. I dumped it in the attic at home and I think my mom ended up throwing it away.
  - author: Alexei Udal (Seattle)
    date: Friday 12th May 2006
    text: |-
      Ron, just flip the switch on the keyboard from "40" to "80."

      As an aside, anyone else in the USA or Canada (or hell, even Mexico, just preferably somewhere in North America so I don't have to pay too much shipping) have the power supply for this? I found my old 128EX in my basement, but can't find the power supply. I'd build my own, but I want to avoid taking risks if possible.
  - author: Mark Frischknecht (San Diego, California)
    date: Sunday 11th December 2005
    text: The Laser 128/EX/EX/2 uses a 15Vdc 12amp 18w Power brick. Also the External slot was switchable from Slot 5 (Which Disables the extra ram) and Slot 7. Also on the EX/2 if the external slot was set to 5 then the internal 3 1/2 floppy was disabled.
  - author: Ron (Columbus, Ohio)
    date: Wednesday 20th July 2005
    text: I have a Laser 128EX. It is connected to a Packard Bell monitor. When I tyried to boot GEOS the message that appeared on the screen said "extended 80 column card needed". Where can I obtain such an animal?
  - author: Peter Baillie (Scotland)
    date: Friday 25th February 2005
    text: |-
      Having recently bought a Laser 128 Apple IIC clone\
      I am in need of a copy of the Red User Guide \\Programming Manual. If anyone has one for sale or swap even a scanned copy would be nice. Even a swap got some retro books
  - author: Taavi Burns (Canada)
    date: Friday 27th February 2004
    text: |-
      I have the user manual at home which contains the pinouts for all of the ports. I'll see about scanning and passing the important parts around in the next few days.

      I'd also be really interested in getting my hands on the Technical Manual, if anyone knows where I could get a copy.

      This page seems to have some good info on extracting files from disk\
      images:\
      http://home.tiscali.se/pausch/apple2/dsk.html\
      One of the links there might help you find out how to extract disk images, unless you feel like doing it the quick'n'dirty way:\
      http://www.skrenta.com/a2/snarf.txt
  - author: Ben (Southern California)
    date: Wednesday 28th January 2004
    text: |-
      My wife has one of these, but no cables what-so-ever.\
      I'm fairly good at splicing/dicing/soldering, any idea where I could find documentation on what the cables should be/do so I can make my own? Or anywhere I could get cables that only require a few tweaks?\
      If I am successful, I'll post a link to a how-to w/ pictures here.
  - author: J. Mclean (White Plains, NY)
    date: Sunday 4th January 2004
    text: Does anyone have information on how to transfer Laser 128 data files to a PC?
  - author: bhtooefr (Ohio, USA)
    date: Sunday 23rd November 2003
    text: |-
      I had one of these - a 128EX. I've heard the difference in the models was maximum clock speed. Anyway, mine broke down when someone bumped into the person using it at the time. It fscked the floppy drive!

      BTW, da, they used the same AC adapter as the Apple IIc - just a non-grounded, VTech branded one for the Laser. If you can find an Apple IIc power adapter, that'll work great (I had both a IIc and a 128EX, and I moved them around a lot, but I never had to move the PSUs with the computers).
  - author: da (skow)
    date: Saturday 4th October 2003
    text: anyone have a spare AC power adapter for a Laser 128 EX computer I seem to have lost mine.
  - author: Blake Patterson (Alexanadria, VA)
    date: Thursday 25th September 2003
    text: |-
      I owned one of the earlier model Laser 128's...

      http://66.240.157.66/personal/randall/images/MVC00490.JPG

      ...that were generally more reliable than the newer models, pictured in this spread. I also had the card cage...

      http://www.trhonline.com/obscure/l128/allthree1.jpg

      ...that plugged into the single side-slot to offer two, sheilded slots that I used for a Mockingboard C sound board and a Prometheus ProModem 1200A. Good stuff. I got lots of use out of the machine and never felt it was any less of an Apple than any of the other Apple II's that I've gone through - it's expansion slot capabilities made it more of an Apple than my //c's. Ahh, nostalgia.

      blakespot
  oc_id: 13
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230403152315/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=13
    date: '2023-04-03'
---

The Laser 128 EX is the successor of the [Laser 3000](/museum/video-technology-laser-3000/). Like the 3000, it is fully compatible with the [Apple II computer](/museum/apple-ii/), but has enhanced features.

Video Technology designed its own Apple II compatible ROM (Apple lost a lawsuit challenging it), this ROM holds an Applesoft compatible version of the BASIC.\
The "Open Apple" and "Closed Apple" keys have been replaced with "Open Triangle" and "Closed Triangle" keys.

The 128EX/2's Video Display Generator chip also provided both analog RGB video (for connecting an [Apple IIGS](/museum/apple-iigs/), [Amiga](/museum/commodore-amiga-1000/), or [Atari ST](/museum/atari-520-st-st-stm/) monitor) and digital RGB video (for connecting a CGA monitor). In RGB mode, the Video Display Generator (VDG) chip generates a text character set identical to an IBM PC (with the addition of the Open and Closed Triangle characters)

The drive and the external daisy-chainable SmartPort floppy drive is driven by Video Technologies custom "Universal Disk Controller" (UDC) disk array chip. The SmartPort supports Apple [IIe](/museum/apple-iie/)/[IIc](/museum/apple-iic/) UniDisks (3.5" and 5.25" models), [Macintosh](/museum/apple-macintosh/) 3.5" drives (the ones without the buttons), Apple IIGS daisy-chainable 3.5" drives and Apple 5.25" disks. It is also designed to support the Chinook CT-series 20 MB to 100 MB SmartPort hard drives. The SmartPort can support two 800K 3.5" drives, two 140K 5.25" drives, and one 100 MB CT100 hard drive simultaneously daisy-chained to each other.

The Apple bus compatible expansion slot can hold an Apple High Speed (DMA) SCSI controller for running additional SCSI based storage devices.

This unit was so successful that Apple Computers was prompted to upgrade the IIc to counter it. The result was the Apple IIc Plus, also released in 1988. The IIc Plus had a 4 Mhz Western Design Center 65C02 processor, an 800K 3.5" drive built-in, and an External Drive "SmartPort" capable of the same tricks as the Laser's.\
Although the two units were similarly matched, Video Technology actively advertised the Laser 128EX/2 while Apple had moved on to promoting the Macintosh.

The Laser became the most successful Apple II clone ever and this model was 99.8% IIc Plus compatible. The only two pieces of software the Apple magazines reported as incompatible were The New Print Shop (Brøderbund Software) and HomeWord (Sierra).

In North America, the Laser was aggressively marketed in Sears department stores, where it eroded its niche rival's sales, the Commodore 128.

This Laser unit's case was also used to make a Turbo XT PC clone. The PC clone and the Laser 128EX/2 shared the same case. They looked identical except for the label. Instead of "Laser 128EX/2," the XT had "Laser XT10"

Later, Video Technology also had a line of PC machines ranging from an XT 10 MHz, three 80286 versions, a failed 386 and a very robust but expensive 486 before they stopped making them and went back to electronic toys.