Real Apple II Hardware

We Build Real Apple II Hardware

An Apple II expansion card is not complete simply because it performs the expected function.

Bus timing, signal processing, software compatibility, circuit design, and stability on real machines must all be carefully tested and verified. Ian Research Lab develops and manufactures hardware cards that operate directly within the Apple II system.

Recently, many low-cost emulator products have appeared, using general-purpose MCUs such as the Raspberry Pi Pico to imitate the behaviour of existing expansion cards through software.

An emulator is a substitute that reproduces the responses of the original device through programmed logic.

Even if AI can reproduce the voice and singing style of a famous singer, it does not become the real singer. In the same way, even if a Pico imitates the input and output behavior of an Apple II expansion card, it does not become the same kind of hardware as the original card.

The visible function may appear similar, but the internal operating principles, design methods, and product value are fundamentally different.

Low-cost MCU emulators offer the advantages of affordability and convenience. However, those who value hardware that operates directly on the Apple II bus, accurate compatibility, proven stability, long-term maintenance, and collectable value should use a different standard when choosing a product.

 

Apple II Products 

CP/M Turbo7
A high-speed CP/M SoftCard equipped with a 7 MHz Z80 CPU.

 

A2 Turbo
A 16 MHz 65C02 accelerator card designed for the Apple IIe.

 

Hypersion 512KB
A memory expansion card that combines four 128KB Saturn-compatible memory banks for a total capacity of 512KB. It also includes an integrated No-Slot Clock.

 

SD DISKII Plus
A disk emulator card that allows an SD memory card to operate as Apple II floppy-disk drives and hard-disk storage.

It is not merely a general-purpose development board placed on an adapter. It is dedicated hardware designed specifically for the Apple II disk environment, compatibility, and practical everyday use.

 

A2Z80
A modern reinterpretation of the PCPI Z80 card, designed as a 16 MHz Real Z80 system card.

With the optional expansion board installed, it can also operate as a versatile game system compatible with MSX, ColecoVision, and Sega SG-1000 software, using a standard joystick.

 

APMSX
An MSX-compatible system card operating at speeds of up to 7.16 MHz with 512KB of memory.

It includes a PS/2 keyboard port, joystick ports, stereo audio outputs, and NTSC video output.

The Apple II and MSX systems operate simultaneously. Through DMA, APMSX directly controls the SD DISKII Plus and boots MSX software through a virtual floppy-disk environment.

APMSX is not simply an emulator program. It is an independent MSX hardware system operating inside the Apple IIe.

 

Simple Joystick
A simple and practical joystick designed for direct use with the Apple IIe, Apple IIc, and Apple IIGS.

Its button layout is especially optimised for comfortable play in games such as Lode Runner.

 

SD Music Plus
A first-generation FM sound card equipped with a real YM2413 sound chip.

It supports Mockingboard emulation and allows music to be performed in a unique YM2413 Remix style through VGM Player and IMS Player.

 

SD Music Deluxe
A stereo FM sound card equipped with a real OPL3 YMF262 sound chip.

It supports Mockingboard emulation and allows Apple II users to play the OPL music once enjoyed through AdLib sound cards on the PC, using VGM Player and IMS Player.

 

 

 

Ian Lab does not merely imitate the output of existing products or copy their functions.

We design real hardware specifically for the Apple II and add original ideas, expanded capabilities, and new ways for users to enjoy their systems.

Do not choose a product simply because its functions appear similar.

Choose genuine Apple II hardware built with real engineering, original ideas, and a clear design philosophy.