Opinion: Apple -- Here to Stay

MacCentral ^ | March 08, 2005 | Don Tennant

[r5boston]

Nearly a decade ago, just a few months after Microsoft shipped Windows 95, I asked Bill Gates if it was a conscious decision in the development of that product to give Windows more of a Mac look and feel. Of course I knew he'd say it wasn't, but I couldn't resist asking. "There was no goal even to compete with Macintosh," Gates proclaimed. "We don't even think of Macintosh as a competitor."

That was a crock, so I pressed the issue a little. I asked him how he accounted for the widespread perception that Windows 95 looked a lot like Mac 88, and whether the similarity was just a coincidence. I didn't expect a sobbing confession of mimicry, but I thought it would be cool to see how he'd respond. Surprisingly enough, Gates shifted gears and became more forthcoming.

[antiRepublicrat]

You make it sound like it was Apple's idea to "throw out the trash".

It was for software.

Motorola saw no future in trying to expand its line of CISC processors, the 68xxx family and instead developed a new RISC processor, the "G" family.

I know I'm getting a bit anal here, but... The switch from 680x0 did not go straight to "G" machines, which is only a marketing term. It began in 1991 when Apple, Motorola and IBM made their agreement to make the PowerPC processors based on IBM's POWER architecture. Apple shipped their first Power Macs based on the PPC 601 in 1994 (the 6100/60, 7100/66, and 8100/80), starting the 680x0 drop. The "G" wasn't introduced until 1997 with the G3, based on the PPC 750.

BTW, I also had a 680x0 machine, and Atari 1040 STF with 1MB RAM and a 68000 processor.

[Bush2000]

It's a non-issue for experienced Windows users... but that does NOT describe a lot of users. A lot of people buy a computer expecting an appliance that will work out of the box. YOU tell that it's a "non-issue" to an elderly woman who got her computer so she could get pics of her g'kids and look up information about flowers for her garden.

So educate her. Life is filled with all kinds of threats. And the best way to deal with those threats is through education. We, as a society, offer education to drive a car, learn about sexuality, handle firearms, protect yourself, etc. But God help you if you suggest that it might be a good idea to take a basic class in using a computer before you expose all of your private/confidential data to the world and/or incur the wrath of hacker vandals.

[Bush2000]

Xerox did not file an appeal... if it was merely a technicality, why not?

It's simple. A copyright is only valid if you defend it. The court found that Xerox had not acted soon enough to protect its copyright. Like I said, it was a technicality. The court didn't say that Xerox's copyright was invalid -- it merely said that it couldn't use it to invalidate Apple's.

[Bush2000]

Yes it does. The Mac software is designed much better and is easier to use, resulting in improved personal productivity.

Says who? You? Puh-lease ... take a few moments to stop patting yourself on the back and provide proof.

Security is also a big factor in productivity, despite your denials. Just think about all the time Windows users spend farting around with anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Mac users can spend that time getting real work done - or pursuing leisure activities.

Sorry, Hal. Some people may do that. But there's no reason to do that, given the automated tools available today. I don't spend ANY time farting around with anti-virus and anti-spyware software.

[Bush2000]

You are such a Microsoftie you cannot even give Apple kudos where they have earned them. IF the iPod were overpriced, people would stop buying them and buy the competition's player. Apple is still having trouble meeting demand...

It is has only been recently that Apple realized that credible competitors have entered the market. History will repeat itself. Watch. Apple can't resist keeping its products priced too high.

[Swordmaker]

So educate her. Life is filled with all kinds of threats.

Why? She wanted a computer... not an education in computer management. She wanted an APPLIANCE that would get her email, the pictures of the kids... etc. She did not, and does not, need to know about viruses, worms, spyware, etc. She wants to USE her computer... not work on it just to make it work. It shoud work safely right out of the box without having to download all that third party stuff to make it safe to use... just like a Mac works safely right out of the box.

[Vermonter]

Two years ago we gave my wife's girlfriend an original iBook we no longer used. She just wanted to be able to browse the web and do email and get digital photos of her grandkids. She bought a cheap digital camera and all was well. Her only problems were AOL related as I just couldn't convince her to stay away from it. She wised up and got a DSL account and was doing fine.

Then, her camera broke. She insisted on buying one of those camera/printer packages and unfortunately the one she chose didn't have Mac drivers for OS 9.

She went out and bought herself one of the cheapest Dell desktop packages you can get, and after three months, her computer is all but useless with spyware, virii and who knows what else. I can't help her anymore as I have no PC background.

All SHE wanted was an appliance!

[SupplySider]

Why? She wanted a computer... not an education in computer management.,

For someone like this, I agree. I recently recommended a Mac to my eighty five year old uncle.

For the vast majority of people, though, including neophytes with no interest in computers, I'd recommend a PC. Simply install continuously running anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, turn on the Windows pop-up blocker, and use a hardware firewall. Total cost, maybe $150., still cheaper than a Mac and you have a faster, more versatile and more compatible machine.

[Swordmaker]

For the vast majority of people, though, including neophytes with no interest in computers,

Again why? Most computer users want to surf the web, get email, and do a few other things like word processing. Unless you are totally a game nerd, then a Mac can do those better and safer. More and more games are coming for the Mac as well.

As to cost, save the $150, apply it to a Mac Mini... and not worry about spyware, viruses, worms, pop-ups and other mal-ware.

[SupplySider]

Apple can't resist keeping its products priced too high.

I agree.

When they announced the Mac mini and the iPod shuffle, I thought, wow, finally Apple has some good value products. But after looking more closely, I think the Mac mini is overpriced by at least $100. It comes with only 256 MB of memory. The iPod shuffle has no LCD screen to see what song you're on, and it does not run on a simple AAA battery like many of its competitors.

I really think that in most cases all the Apple premium gets you an elitist sense of "cool".

[SupplySider]

Again why?

Even if a person only wants to do internet and word processing, a PC is cheaper, and protecting it is no big deal. A friend of mine just bought a Dell. He hooked it up to a router, and it had MacAfee security suite already installed. He's had zero problems.

[Bush2000]

Why? ... She wants to USE her computer... not work on it just to make it work.

It's funny. People don't think twice about taking their car to a mechanic when it needs a new feature or maintenance. Why? Because they can't do it themselves -- or they prefer not to. But, strangely, the same notion applied to a computer is anathema to many of you Mac bigots. There are minimal things that need to be done to a computer prior to plugging it into a router. Like a car, you want to make sure that it has the necessary ingredients -- gas, oil, tires -- before you take it onto the road. If you (or anybody else) is ignorant of what's required, that's fine ... but ignorance won't be much consolation when you try to run your car without oil and find out that the engine melted down...

[Swordmaker]

People don't think twice about taking their car to a mechanic when it needs a new feature or maintenance.

So, Bush, how many people who buy a new car immediately have to take it to a mechanic to make it safe to drive?

[Swordmaker]

If you (or anybody else) is ignorant of what's required, that's fine ... but ignorance won't be much consolation when you try to run your car without oil and find out that the engine melted down...

And how competent is a car manufacturer who sells their product without oil... or provides it, but it has to be taken out of the trunk and poured into the engine before the new owner can safely drive the product?

The Mac is ready to drive out of the box... and remains so... without an initial visit to a specialist to prepare it for safe operation.

[njmaugbill]

"Well when I go to PC stores like CompUSA and see a small section just for MAC's and the rest of the store for generic PC's you wonder; also the software section is a tenth of what is there for PC's. I also understand that MAC's are not backward compatible????? Like old software doesn't run on newer MAC's????"

I'm running a G5 duel 2 gigz running OSX 10.3.8 , and as we speak, I'm starting WordPerfect. That's pretty old software. It is running under Classic(OS9).

So old software does run on newer macs.

Bill from Nutley-

[Bush2000]

So, Bush, how many people who buy a new car immediately have to take it to a mechanic to make it safe to drive?

Practically every single one. Every dealer has a quality checklist that they go through before handing you the keys.

[Bush2000]

So old software does run on newer macs.

It's not "running" in the classic sense. It's being emulated. So your performance and mileage may vary.

[dennisw]

btttt

[frgoff]

If I had a 95% market share and the other guy had 5% and charged twice as much I wouldn't think of him as a competitor either.

When Windows 95 came out, MS didn't have 95% of the market; Apple was the number three computer seller in the nation after IBM and Compaq.

Apple could charge so much for their machines because of the GUI. Windows 95, through some severe bungling by Apple lawyers changed that.

[cookcounty]

So when I'm online and the dang rainbow swirley shows up, is Mr. Mac trying to tell me something? Is it some kind of a gay virus or what? Is Jesse Jackson transferring cash into his "rainbow Coalition? "Help" doesn't recognize "multi-colored swirly" as an identifiable anything.