512k to Mac Plus upgrade...

[macman142]

So we all know that a LOT of 512k Macs were upgraded to Mac Plus during the mid to late 80's, via "upgrade kits" that Apple released...

That means, you still find an odd hybrid Mac that consists of a 512k front bezel (+CRT and analogue board) with a Mac Plus rear bucket and logic board. I have seen and owned these in both Beige and Platinum.

Anyway, does anyone know of Apple doing the same "upgrade" kits for 128k to 512k?

Reason I ask is that I have a Mac 512k that looks legit BUT has a 128k (M0001) front bezel/serial...

I wonder, did Apple do an earlier upgrade kit for 128k to 512k or is this more likely a "bitsa" someones done?

I know there were 3rd party memory upgrades to change the logic board memory from 128k to 512k but was there an Apple kit that included a read bucket and complete replacement logic board?

I'll have a lot more respect for this 512k if its a genuine Apple upgrade rather than a bitsa...

 

[Brett B.]

It's very possible that the original owner took it to the local Mac place and had them do an upgrade on it.

Hard to say, though, it's also very likely that someone found the upgrade parts and did it themselves to squeeze a little bit more usefulness out of their 128k.

Who knows!

 

[nvdeynde]

Yes I can confirm that Apple sold an upgrade kit from 128K to 512K which contained only a 512K logic board.

I have one of these upgrade boxes, I will post of picture of it when I comes through my hands.

These upgrades were not sold directly to end users but were delivered to Apple Dealers.

 

[macman142]

Interesting, thanks guys. Intriguing.

 

[Macdrone]

Also there were third party upgrades that used the 128 boards and installed more ram and an eprom to allow it. both my 128's have this with no markings on who did it.

 

[trag]

It is my understanding that there were three 128K to 512K upgrades done by dealers.

The first simply replaced the 128K logic board with the 512K board and moved the ROMs from the 128K to the 512K.

The second is as above, but it included replacing the 128K ROMs with the new 512KE ROMs.

The third is like the second but included replacing the 400K floppy drive with the 800K floppy drive.