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Recycled Computing
The Mac Future: Snow Leopard, MobileMe, and the iPhone/iPod touch
- 2008.07.01
It's not like we didn't see this coming, but it was clear when Apple switched to Intel chips that PowerPC Macs would end up left behind by future software development. Perhaps it came a little sooner than we might have thought, but here it is.
If you use a Mac with a G3 processor, "Tiger" (Mac OS X 10.4) is the highest version of OS X that you can use, and not all G3 Macs support Tiger. If you use a G4 or G5 processor, "Leopard" (OS X 10.5) will be the highest version of OS X that you can use, and not all G4 Macs support Leopard.
And if the rumors are true, "Snow Leopard" (OS X 10.6) will only run on Intel Macs.
This isn't to say that somebody couldn't hack something somehow, but the end is nigh for PowerPC Macs. The handwriting is on the wall. The fortune cookies are crumbled and stale.
The Mac Advantage
Seriously, the biggest advantage of the Mac system is the matching of Mac hardware and software. The reason that Windows has compatibility issues is the huge number of software and hardware configurations that have to be taken into consideration. It is perfectly normal for Apple to want to maintain its competitive advantage in this area. Time moves forward despite our nostalgia for the past.
However, Apple has left us two presents. My eight-and-a-half-year-old Pismo can run Tiger just fine (what Windows laptop can boast that?), and Tiger is not chopped liver. It has a good choice of browsers, Mail, iTunes support (so far), iPhoto, etc. If I'm "stuck" with an operating system, Tiger is not too shabby - and Leopard is not a bad consolation prize for G4 owners.
MobileMe
But if you watched the keynote address, Apple has something else in the works.
I don't know if you noticed, but Apple kept mentioning how MobileMe's software offers features that are not available in "online applications". For older PowerBooks and iBooks - and Windows and Linux laptops - this means that you can use Apple's online software for your email, address book, and calendar. Of course, it will cost you a sawbuck every 12 months.
But wait a minute, what if Apple starts offering other applications online? Online versions of iWork or iLife? You could own a Windows PC, Linux, or whatever system and still have access to Apple software.
OS X To Go
Another tidbit is Apple's entry into portable gaming. Using the iPhone and iPod touch's accelerometer, Apple is turning these units into portable gaming machines.
I have no experience with Nintendo's DS, but both of my sons own Sony's PSP. I don't play games, but I have used the PSP's browser - it's not so good. Compared to the built-in Safari on the iPod touch and iPhone, it bites.
Think about how Apple already has a built-in distribution system through the iTunes Store, and watch how game interaction is handled by moving the iPhone or iPod touch (a la the Wii). Apple can certainly make inroads into the gaming industry as well as providing a feature that it's competitors in the smart phone market cannot.
Cell phone? WiFi browser? Handheld computer? Portable game player? Portable music and video player?
Apple is set to not only create this market, but dominate it as well. Just another reason to buy Apple stock.
And, at some point, an Intel-powered Mac.
Recent Recycled Computing Columns
- Google Calendar with iPhone or iTouch Is Great for Scheduling, 11.24. Web-based Google Calendar allows access and updates from any computing platform, including Mac, Windows, Linux, and iPhone OS.
- Replacing the Hard Drive in a Clamshell iBook, 11.19. Yes, it is one of the most difficult Apple notebooks to disassemble and reassemble, but a 10 GB hard drive just will not do.
- Macintosh Remote Control with Chicken of the VNC, 10.06. Sometimes you want to or need to control another Mac remotely. The free Chicken of the VNC program is a great tool for doing exactly that.
- Upgrading a Pismo PowerBook with a Slot-load Drive Salvaged from an iBook, 10.01. Starting with a spare DVD-ROM module and the SuperDrive from a G4 iBook, the author ended up with a SuperDrive in his Pismo PowerBook.
- More in the Recycled Computing index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: 17" MacBook Pro Core Duo, Apr. 2006 - The top-end MacBook Pro includes a 1680 x 1050, 2.16 GHz Core Duo CPU, and supports Apple 30" Cinema Display.
- Group of the Day: G4 List is for those using Power Mac G4s or G4 upgrades.
- November 24 in LEM history: 98: Microsoft's heavy hand - 00: Looking at the iMac - 04: The best Mac for the holidays - Picking the right replacement for a dead mouse - Better battery for 15" AlBook
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Pismo WiFi Networking Issue Finally Solved?, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.24. It turns out the problems wasn't the Pismo, the Buffalo WiFi card, or Mac OS X 10.4. It was the Wireless G router - Linksys to the rescue!
- Mini VGA to S-video Adapter a No Go for eMacs, Dan Bashur, Apple, Tech, and Gaming, 11.24. You might think that Apple's Mini VGA S-video adapter is a cheap way to connect your eMac or G4 iMac to your TV. You would be wrong.
- Why Spaces is My Favorite Leopard (and Snow Leopard) Feature, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.23. Spaces, a feature introduced with OS X 10.5, is like having several monitors on your Mac without the cost and space of using multiple displays.
- i5 iMac Benchmarked, Mac mini 'Shouldn't Be Overlooked', Twitter Client for Classic Mac OS, and More, Mac News Review, 11.20. Also why Apple leaves the low end to others, 10.6.2 fixes video playback problem in 27" iMac, 3D Leopard and Snow Leopard performance, and more.
- Apple's Tablet an End Run Beyond Netbooks, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.20. Whatever Apple has planned will leverage existing technologies while going beyond what its competitors can offer.
- Apple #4 in Reliability, Apple Tablet a Gadget for All?, HP's i7 Notebook Outdoes Mac Rivals, and More, The 'Book Review, 11.20. Also Flash 10.1 improves video on Hackintosh netbooks, thin-and-light notebooks impress, Windows XP finally on the way out, and more.
- NASA Chemical Sensor for iPhone, Smartphone Death Match, iPhone Earrings, and More, Ian R Campbell, 11.20. Also mobile phone dangers, new apps, GPS solution for iPod touch, new iPod and iPhone cases, and more.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best G4 iMac Deals, 11.24. Used 15" 700 MHz CD-RW, $150; 800 MHz Combo, $229; 1 GHz, $289; 17" 1.25 GHz, $200; 20" 1.25 GHz, $509.
- Best MacBook Air Deals, 11.24. Used from $899; refurb from $1,099; new 1.6 GHz/120 HD, $1,150 after rebate; 1.8/64 SSD, $1,150 a/r; 1.86/128 SSD, $1,350 a/r; 2.13/128 SSD, $1,694 a/r.
- Best PowerBook G3 Deals, 11.24. Used 233 MHz WallStreet, $75; 266 MHz, $160; 400 MHz Lombard, $199; 400 MHz Pismo, $289; 500 MHz, $350.
- Best 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, 11.23. Used 867 MHz SuperDrive, $348; 1 GHz Combo, $379; SD, $519; 1.33 GHz, $529; 1.5 GHz Combo, $549; SuperDrive, $609.
- Best Mac Pro Deals, 11.23. Used 2.66 GHz 4-core, $1,300; 3.0 4-core. $1,919; refurb 2.66 4-core Nehalem, $2,149; 2.93, $2,549; 2.93 8-core, $4,999; new 2.26 8-core, $2,290.
- Best Time Capsule and AirPort Deals, 11.23. Used 802.11g AirPort Extreme, $49; 500 GB Time Capsule, $150; new, $190; 1 TB dual-band, $280; 2 TB, $469; 802.11n AirPort Extreme, $170.
- Best eMac Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz Combo, $100; SuperDrive, $269; 1.25 GHz Combo, $119; SD, $319; 1.42 GHz Combo, $289; SD, $498.
- Best Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac Box Set Deals, 11.18. "Snow Leopard", single user, $25; 5 users, $45; Mac Box Set, single user, $139; 5 users, $180; Server, $414. Shipping included.
- Best Xserve Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz dual G4, $649; 2.3 dual G5, $795; 3.0 4-core Xeon, $1,899; refurb 2.26 4-core, $2,499; new, $2,888; refurb 8-core, $2,999; new, $3,449; more.
- More deals in our archive.
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