iPerforma
- 2001.04.01 -
Tip Jar
This is a review of iPerforma, the next generation of Macs to hit
the desktop and replace my vintage
Performa.
The more things change, the more they remain the same. For example,
no more Bondi blue, indigo, or blue Dalmatian cases, but back to basic
beige. However, the screen is finally bumped up to a 17" monitor. This
combination of retro color and current state of the art, such as the
17" monitor, makes the iPerforma a stunning machine - a first rate
consumer computer by another name, a balance between the past and the
future.
The Past and Future
68k and System 6. 25 MHz. Was it that long ago?
The iPerforma boasts a G4 processor running OS X at 533 MHz. It
screams.
Old apps? No problem. Taking a cue from the 640 DOS compatible
Quadra, iPerforma sports a 50 MHz 68040 processor to ensure that all my
old apps, like Mac Man or Spin Doctor, will run native.
Nothing like having it all
Serial and SCSI ports. A beige box. Analog audio and video
input.
They're all back!
Yes, the new iPerforma has a single serial port and a SCSI port, in
addition to FireWire and USB ports.
Finally a Mac that can use my old grayscale QuickCam out of the box
- and comfortably use my FireWire CD-RW drive.
In addition to iMovie and iTunes, iPerforma comes iTV, a blend
between the Apple TV/Video system and iTunes. iTV is a great
application to stream video from across the world on your Mac.
Need to work on Turbo Tax as April 15 approaches, but you don't want
to watch The Simpsons? No problem, just say "save movie" from speakable
items and the show will save itself on a 60 GB hard drive.
In brief, iPerforma is a Mac worthy of being everything to everyone
- all for under US$1,000!
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