computer science

Microprofessor III

Microprofessor III is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Microprofessor III rather than just read about it. In short: Microprofessor III (MPF III), introduced in 1983, was Multitech's (later renamed Acer) third branded computer product and also (arguably) one of the first Apple IIe clones. Unlike the two earlier computers, its design was influenced by the IBM personal computer.

Key takeaways

Microprofessor III belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Microprofessor III to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Microprofessor III from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Microprofessor III (MPF III), introduced in 1983, was Multitech's (later renamed Acer) third branded computer product and also (arguably) one of the first Apple IIe clones. Unlike the two earlier computers, its design was influenced by the IBM personal computer. Because of some additional functions in the ROM and different graphics routines, the MPF III was not totally compatible with the original Apple IIe computer. One key feature of the MPF III in some models was its Chinese BASIC, a version of Chinese-localized BASIC based on Applesoft BASIC. The MPF III included an optional Z80 CP/M emulator card. It permitted the computer to switch to the Z80 processor and run programs developed under the CP/M operating system. In 1984 the machine had a retail price of $699 in Australia. The different models in the MPF-III brand were the Multitech MPF-III/311 in NTSC countries (mainly in the United States and Canada) and the MPF-III/312 in PAL countries (mainly in Australia, Sweden, Spain, Finland, Italy and Singapore). It was also sold in Latin America as the Latindata MPF-III.

Technical specifications CPU: MOS Technology 6502, 1 MHz Memory (RAM): 64KB dynamic RAM and 2KB static RAM ROM: 24KB, including MBASIC (MPF-III BASIC), monitor, sound, display and printer programs and drivers Operating system: DOS 3.3 or ProDOS Input/Output: NTSC composite video jack (MPF-III/311), TV RF modulator port, cassette port, printer port, joystick 9-pin D-type port, earphone, and external speaker jacks Expandability: internal slots (6), optional Z80 CP/M emulator card, one external Apple II type card slot Screen display: Text modes: 40×24, 80x24 (with 80 columns card) Graphics modes: 40×48 (16 col), 280×192 (6 col) Sound: one channel Storage: 2 optional 5.25 inch 140 KB diskette drives Keyboard: 90 keys keyboard with numeric keypad

See also Microprofessor I — unrelated Z80 programming education device Microprofessor II

References

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Microprofessor III

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Microprofessor III claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Microprofessor III before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Microprofessor III ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Microprofessor III

In research: Microprofessor III appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Microprofessor III in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Microprofessor III is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Acer Inc. computers, Apple II clones, Computer-related introductions in 1983, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Microprofessor III outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Microprofessor III in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Microprofessor III means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Microprofessor III out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Microprofessor III in simple terms?

Why does Microprofessor III matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Microprofessor III?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Microprofessor III.