MacWorks XL
Encyclopedia
MacWorks XL was an Apple Lisa
software program that shipped with the Macintosh XL
. It allowed 64K Apple Macintosh ROM emulation so the Macintosh XL could run Mac OS
programs.
, which sold over 50,000 units in the first 100 days compared to only a few thousand Lisas during its entire first year, it became clear to Apple that the Lisa (then Lisa 2/10) would benefit from the ability to run the Macintosh system software as well as reduce the development platform resources required to maintain two separate operating systems. In April 1984, Apple introduced MacWorks v1.0 for the Lisa. Essentially it allowed the Lisa to run a Macintosh environment off of a floppy disk, but did not support a hard disk environment. By the fall, Apple had introduced versions 2.0 & 3.0 which allowed MacWorks to run off the Lisa's internal Widget
or attached ProFile
hard disk. With the introduction of the re-branded Macintosh XL in January 1985, MacWorks was likewise re-named for the release.
When the Lisa was discontinued, Sun Remarketing
continued development of the MacWorks environment under license up to the release of MacWorks Plus
1.1 (which supports System Software 6). Dafax Processing Corp. with the assistance of Query Engineering, Inc. then further developed the environment to MacWorks Plus II which will support up to System 7.5
along with all other late model Motorola 68000
-based Macs.
Apple Lisa
The Apple Lisa—also known as the Lisa—is a :personal computer designed by Apple Computer, Inc. during the early 1980s....
software program that shipped with the Macintosh XL
Macintosh XL
Macintosh XL was a modified version of the Apple Lisa personal computer made by Apple Computer, Inc. In the Macintosh XL configuration, the computer shipped with MacWorks XL, a Lisa program that allowed 64 K Macintosh ROM emulation...
. It allowed 64K Apple Macintosh ROM emulation so the Macintosh XL could run Mac OS
Mac OS
Mac OS is a series of graphical user interface-based operating systems developed by Apple Inc. for their Macintosh line of computer systems. The Macintosh user experience is credited with popularizing the graphical user interface...
programs.
History
Soon after the debut of the MacintoshMacintosh 128K
The Macintosh 128K machine, released as the "Apple Macintosh", was the original Apple Macintosh personal computer. Its beige case contained a monitor and came with a keyboard and mouse. An indentation in the top of the case made it easier for the computer to be lifted and carried. It had a selling...
, which sold over 50,000 units in the first 100 days compared to only a few thousand Lisas during its entire first year, it became clear to Apple that the Lisa (then Lisa 2/10) would benefit from the ability to run the Macintosh system software as well as reduce the development platform resources required to maintain two separate operating systems. In April 1984, Apple introduced MacWorks v1.0 for the Lisa. Essentially it allowed the Lisa to run a Macintosh environment off of a floppy disk, but did not support a hard disk environment. By the fall, Apple had introduced versions 2.0 & 3.0 which allowed MacWorks to run off the Lisa's internal Widget
Apple Lisa
The Apple Lisa—also known as the Lisa—is a :personal computer designed by Apple Computer, Inc. during the early 1980s....
or attached ProFile
Apple ProFile
The ProFile was the first hard drive produced by Apple Computer, initially for use with the Apple III personal computer. The original model had a formatted capacity of 5 MB and connected to a special interface card that plugged into an Apple III slot...
hard disk. With the introduction of the re-branded Macintosh XL in January 1985, MacWorks was likewise re-named for the release.
Features
MacWorks XL shipped on two diskettes. The first booted the Lisa into the Mac OS bootloader. When that process completed, the system displayed an entire white screen, ejected the first disk, and displayed the usual blinking question mark (but with a Macintosh XL graphic below) to indicate that a boot volume (the other disk) was needed. Upon insertion of the second disk, titled "MacWorks XL System Disk", the Lisa would boot Macintosh System 5 (Mac OS 5 in modern nomenclature).When the Lisa was discontinued, Sun Remarketing
Sun Remarketing
Sun Remarketing was a retail company, located in Cache Valley, Utah, that specialized in reselling old Apple Computer software and hardware, including Apple II and Apple Macintosh parts such as motherboards and peripherals...
continued development of the MacWorks environment under license up to the release of MacWorks Plus
MacWorks Plus
MacWorks Plus was a complete implementation of the Macintosh Plus 128K ROM on the Apple Lisa and Macintosh XL computer systems, and introduced in August 1988...
1.1 (which supports System Software 6). Dafax Processing Corp. with the assistance of Query Engineering, Inc. then further developed the environment to MacWorks Plus II which will support up to System 7.5
System 7
System 7 is the name of a Macintosh operating system introduced in 1991.System 7 may also refer to:* System 7 , a British dance/ambient band* System 7 , 1991 album* IBM System/7, a 1970s computer system...
along with all other late model Motorola 68000
Motorola 68000
The Motorola 68000 is a 16/32-bit CISC microprocessor core designed and marketed by Freescale Semiconductor...
-based Macs.