1986: Macintosh Plus. No
updates required, runs systems up to 7.5.5.
1998: iMac. Requires "iMac
Firmware update 1.0" (required to run OSes beyond 8.5), and "iMac
CD Update." Runs systems Mac OS 8.1 (shipped w/ first version) to
9.0.4, expected to run OS X.
1999: iBook. Needs "Sleep memory
extension" if OS 9.0 or earlier, iBook Firmware update, OS 9.0.4
update, runs systems from 8.6 (early versions; later versions
shipped w/ 9.0) to Mac OS 9.0.4, expected to run OS X.
1993: Macintosh LC III. No
updates required, runs System 7.1 (enabler 003) to 7.6.1.
1995: Power Macintosh/Performa
6200 series. Requires hardware upgrade to fix crashing, and for
Mac OS 8.5 compatability - must run 52/62XX Compatibility tester,
runs System 7.5.1 to 9.0.4.
This is just a small sampling of what Apple has been doing for
the past 5 years or more. If I went out and picked up a Macintosh IIsi, new in 1990 (just say
if, I couldn't have even come close to affording it, let
alone know how to use it. I was 4.), I would not have expected any
hardware updates at all. I might update the system software, to add
features and to remove problems, but I wouldn't expect any model
specific updates or machine specific hardware problems. If I went
out now and bought one of those cool new G4 cubes, I am sure there
would be several updates available for it within 6 months.
I am not saying "model specific software updates" are bad. After
all, they update the computer to make it work better. The problem
is that the computer is not ready to work from the start. I
shouldn't have to buy an iMac, decide I want to upgrade the OS, and
be faced with, "You must update your firmware to version X.X before
you can proceed." I shouldn't have to load some software, restart,
go into open firmware, and push paper clips into the side of the
computer!
I should get "Your installation was successful," and not have to
update firmware or install extensions.
Computers that need such updates are being purchased by people
who are just learning the computer, as well as by people who know
what their doing. The average new computer user who wants to update
the computer, doesn't know how to download and apply "iMac Firmware
1.0"(iMac) or "sleep memory extension"(iBook/PowerBook Pismo).
Your computer is obviously not going to drop the "630 SCSI
Update" (LC 630) into its own
System Folder and restart, or download and install the "Colour
Classic Update" (Colour
Classic). You shouldn't have to do that either.
People who have to update their iBook should not have to hold
the power button down for X seconds and wait for a "long tone."
People who have to update their G3 should not have to worry about
which CD update works with which machine. People should not have to
update their computer; the computer should come with everything it
needs to work properly.
Perhaps all of the hardware and software updates required are
just "side effects" of the low prices that we take for granted
these days ($10,000 for a Macintosh
IIfx in 1990, $1,600 for a Power
Macintosh G4 in 2000).
When they design computers now, they seem to skip right over the
problem where your hard disk can crash if you have "save memory
contents on sleep" enabled (iBook/PB Pismo), not even think of
looking over at where the monitor starts going red, blue, or yellow
(MultiScan 15), not bother to try to update the iMac to see if it
will accept it (iMac/Firmware update), and try to pass off "gluing
it" as an acceptable repair for the broken PowerBook screen cables
(PowerBook G3 WallStreet 13.3"
screen).
I guess testing these products less lets us pay less, but you do
have to watch out. Although most people know about the "hot"
5300s, there were also some similar
stories about the PowerBook G3 series where some actually did catch
fire-or at least heat up quite a bit. See (http://www.pbzone.com/flaming.shtml)
"Flaming PowerBooks" for more information. (And for all those whom
that happened to, I hope Apple gave you a replacement.) I think
these types of incidents stress the importance of testing each unit
thouroughly for hardware problems.
This whole article about updates and bugs comes down to one
point: Always test the product thoroughly. This means that the
product should be working and not need machine specific updates or
have machine specific problems. Having many software/firmware
updates on one product makes me wonder, what "updates" could the
hardware itself need that Apple isn't telling us about?
We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.
We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.
We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.
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We believe in the long term value of Apple hardware. You should be able to use your Apple gear as long as it helps you remain productive and meets your needs, upgrading only as necessary. We want to help maximize the life of your Apple gear.
