Laser 128
| Industry | Computer hardware |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 |
| Products | Laser 128 series (Laser 128, Laser 128EX, Laser 128EX/2) |
The Laser 128 is an Apple II compatible computer launched by VTech in 1986, designed to rival the Apple IIe and Apple IIc models.
Description
Equipped with 128 KB of RAM, the VTech Laser 128 adopts a one-piece semi-portable form factor featuring a built-in carrying handle and an integrated 5¼-inch floppy disk drive. It operates on the WDC 65C02 microprocessor and supports the graphics capabilities of the Apple II series. Unlike the Apple IIc, it offers a numeric keypad, a Centronics printer port, and dedicated video memory of 128 KB. Its digital video output utilizes a 15-pin D-sub connector compatible with Apple's IIc flat panel display, and through an adapter, it can interface with the RGBI interface. The original version included a unique 560x384 resolution video mode, which was later discontinued.
The system contains one expansion slot for Apple II peripheral cards, providing greater expandability than the IIc despite leaving cards exposed. This slot was intended to connect to an $80 expansion chassis that added two additional slots compatible with the Apple IIe’s Slot 5 and Slot 7. Internally, there is a memory expansion slot capable of supporting up to 1 MB of extra RAM, which can be utilized as a RAM drive. The Laser 128EX and Laser 128EX/2 variants come equipped with this memory upgrade pre-installed.
Models
| Model | Release Date | CPU | Drive | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laser 128 | 1986 | 1 MHz | 5¼-inch | $479 |
| Laser 128EX | 1987 | 3.6 MHz | 5¼-inch | $499 |
| Laser 128EX/2 | 1988 | 3.6 MHz | 5¼-inch | $499 |
| Laser 128EX/2 | 1988 | 3.6 MHz | 3.5-inch | $549 |
History
In early 1986, VTech introduced the Laser 128 to the U.S. market with a suggested retail price of $479, significantly undercutting the Apple IIe’s $945 cost. Central Point Software offered it via mail order for $395, heavily promoting the clone with full-page advertisements that highlighted its expandability and targeted users seeking Apple software compatibility at prices comparable to the Commodore 128. Despite Apple’s ongoing legal actions against VTech concerning other models and efforts to block Laser 128 distribution, VTech obtained approval from U.S. Customs to import the system, maintaining strong consumer demand.
By late 1986, several mail-order companies and peripheral manufacturers had embraced the Laser 128 platform, broadening its market footprint. In 1988, VTech acquired a controlling interest in Central Point Software and created Laser Computer, Inc., transitioning sales from mail order to retail outlets such as Sears. That year saw the release of the Laser 128EX, featuring an upgraded 3.6 MHz processor, alongside the Laser 128EX/2 which added a 3.5-inch disk drive and MIDI port priced at $549, as well as a $499 model retaining the 5.25-inch drive. While its distribution network did not match Apple's scale, the Laser 128 series captured a significant portion of the Apple-compatible market and prompted Apple to respond with products like the Apple IIc Plus.
Compatibility
Following Apple's legal victory that ended Franklin clone production, VTech employed clean room design techniques to reverse-engineer the Apple Monitor ROM and licensed an Applesoft BASIC-compatible version from Microsoft BASIC. Although Apple examined the Laser 128 closely, it was unable to remove it from circulation.
Physically resembling the IIc but functioning as an enhanced IIe with 128 KB RAM and Extended 80-Column Text Card functionality, the Laser 128 offered broad software compatibility. Apple had estimated in 1984 that the IIc supported approximately 90% of Apple II software titles. Central Point’s testing in 1986 found only a handful of programs—such as Choplifter, David's Midnight Magic, and Serpentine—incompatible due to copy protection schemes. InfoWorld reported around 90% compatibility with contemporary software including major applications like AppleWorks, Quicken, Apple Writer, VisiCalc, Flight Simulator II, The Print Shop, and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, occasionally with minor color variations. Approximately 12% of the 129 tested titles were incompatible, primarily educational software or games. Despite some hardware differences causing incompatibilities, its expansion slot and parallel port enabled use of peripherals unsupported by the IIc. The magazine inCider estimated about 95% software compatibility, noting successful operation of titles such as F-15 Strike Eagle, Fantavision, WordPerfect, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Upgrading ROM chips at a cost of $25 further enhanced compatibility. The publication A+ found it compatible with 28 out of 30 popular Apple II programs, outperforming competing clones like the Franklin Ace. BYTE magazine reported mixed results on software but confirmed full functionality for expansion cards. The Laser 128’s presence encouraged most major software developers to test their products on this platform alongside official Apple hardware.
Licensing Applesoft BASIC significantly reduced development efforts since this component constitutes the largest and most complex segment of Apple II ROMs. Microsoft retained ownership of its BASIC versions allowing VTech to legally license Applesoft BASIC. Many Apple programs depend on machine code routines embedded within BASIC stored in ROM, making this licensing essential for achieving high compatibility levels.
Reception
In its May 1986 issue, InfoWorld highlighted that beyond the keyboard's tactile experience, the Laser 128's external attributes—such as the inclusion of an expansion slot, numeric keypad, and Centronics interface—offered enhancements over the Apple IIc. Praising its extensive compatibility and a price point less than half that of the IIc, the publication deemed the Laser 128 "an exceptional value." Similarly, inCider in December 1986 characterized it as "inexpensive and functional," recommending it to prospective buyers weighing options between a Commodore or an Apple IIc. Although the keyboard's feel and design received criticism, the magazine acknowledged the system’s strong compatibility and performance, emphasizing its appeal in a market typically lacking affordable hardware options.
In January 1987, BYTE expressed a preference for the Laser 128’s keyboard arrangement compared to that of the IIc and lauded the thoroughness of its accompanying documentation. The magazine observed some software incompatibility issues, labeling them "disappointing," but considered these drawbacks minor relative to the computer’s budget-friendly price. It concluded that the Laser 128 was well suited for users seeking an economical primary or secondary machine with access to a wide range of software.
By November 1988, inCider reported that the Laser 128EX/2 "includes every possible feature found in an 8-bit Apple II" and either matched or surpassed standard configurations when compared to the IIc Plus. Although the Apple IIc Plus operated at a higher clock speed (4 MHz versus 3.6 MHz) and had a narrower price gap (a US$126 difference rather than over US$300 for the IIc), the EX/2 provided greater memory expandability—a significant advantage for AppleWorks users. The review concluded that despite the fully equipped EX/2 being impressive, cost-conscious buyers might favor either the 5¼-inch drive model or the earlier EX version without a 3½-inch drive.