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Mac Musings
Dream Machine
Dan Knight - 25 July 1997 - Tip Jar
I've been using Macs since 1986, when I designed a 54-page booklet on a friend's newly upgraded Macintosh (upgraded to a Plus with 1 MB RAM!) with PageMaker 1.0 and a LaserWriter. I sold Macs from 1987 to 1991, seeing the introduction of the first expandable Macs (SE and II in 1987), the first consumer Mac (LC), the first totable (Portable), and the first PowerBooks.
Since 1992, I've been working with Macs, first as a book designer (using Quark and FrameMaker) and assistant troubleshooter, now as an information systems manager. I've known Macs from all sides: as salesman, owner, user, support person, and evangelist.
The Macintosh began with a great idea that was slightly ahead of its time and technology. It has grown into the best personal computing platform on the planet and remains a hop, skip, and jump ahead of the Wintel world.
Apple makes a great operating system. They and the Macloners make great hardware. But Apple keeps losing its focus, making too many models and tying too much in dated inventory.
If I ran Apple computer, at least the hardware division....
Apple would have four desktop cases: a compact case with room for hard drive, floppy, CD-ROM, and one more drive (Zip, Jaz, optical, whatever); two midrange cases (desktop and minitower) with two accessible drive bays and 2-3 PCI slots; and a power tower with room for 5-6 PCI cards and 6 or more drives.
Each case would remain the same for several years, allowing Apple to recoup the investment in design and production - and allowing Apple to have three standard motherboards, making complete motherboard upgrades possible. (This strategy worked well with most Apple case designs. This strategy was not employed with the IIsi, one of Apple's few orphan cases.)
Every motherboard would have a removable, user replaceable CPU, preferably in a ZIF socket. Standard on all models: 10Base-T ethernet, 2 ADB ports, 2 GeoPorts, external SCSI connector, at least one expansion slot. Design of case and motherboard would make provision for FireWire in the future.
The power supply could be external. There would be provision for a battery, giving each user the option of a very inexpensive UPS. Actually, better than a UPS since power for the internal components wouldn't have to be converted to AC, then back to DC. (You'd still need to convert output to AC for the monitor.)
Every model would power up from the keyboard.
Each and every computer would be available stripped. The stripped computer would include the case, the motherboard, the power supply, and the Mac OS. No CPU. No RAM. No floppy drive. No CD-ROM. No mouse. No keyboard. Reasons for this:
- Users of older Macs could transfer drives (but probably not RAM) to new computer.
- New buyers could add components as needed. (After all, the Macintosh really is plug-n-play.)
- Power users could customize to their needs: larger, faster hard drives; one or more CPUs, etc.
- Businesses could install only needed components.
- This gives the security conscious an option for a Mac without a floppy drive.
- Apple doesn't have to project what combination of RAM, hard drive size, CD-ROM speed, VRAM, etc. the end user wants.
- This would make it easier for Apple to run a fire sale on 4x CD-ROMs, 1.2 GB hard drives, and other items that don't seem competitive this year.
- This makes room for third party components, probably increasing the hardware market by promoting the idea of upgrades.
- This gives dealers more potential profit, keeping them in business to continue selling the Macintosh way.
Power Macintosh V-series
- The V-series (V for victory, vintage, VIC-20) would be reminiscent of the Commodore VIC-20 and 64, an integrated computer/keyboard. (Remember when the computer contained a keyboard?) Size would be as close to an extended keyboard as practical. Would use eraser-head pointer like IBM ThinkPad. Includes ADB port for mouse, two GeoPorts, and a Comm II slot. Built in hard drive. Possible bay on one end for floppy, Zip, PC Card cage, etc. This would be targeted as the cheapest Mac made, even if that means using a lowly 200 MHz CPU.
- With ethernet and a fast modem option, this could be the NC (network computer) everyone wants. Also perfect for computer labs.
Power Macintosh C-series
- The C-series (C for compact, convenient, consumer) would have a case much like the 6300 or Umax C500, but with room for an internal Zip drive. I like the "works in a drawer" concept of the 6300, but price is a consideration. Should have a built-in comm slot for an internal modem. No PCI slots.
Power Macintosh M-series
- The M-series (M for middle) would be based on a modified 7300. The current case comfortably holds a hard drive, floppy, CD-ROM, and one additional 3.5" device (Zip, internal drive, etc.). Room for another device would be nice, especially if it could be a 5.25" bay. Possible devices to fill this slot include DVD, CD-R, SyQuest, Jaz, SyJet, DAT, and optical drives. Basic case could be same size as current case, rearranged with second 5.25" bay above CD-ROM and floppy drive moved over current 3.5" bay.
Power Macintosh E-series
- Okay, you can't forget the education market. If they don't want the separate CPU and monitor of the V-series, this replaces the 5000-series using the same motherboard as the C- and M-series with a 15" multisync monitor.
Power Macintosh T-series
- The T-series (T for tower) would accept the same motherboard as the M-series. The only significant difference is the tower case, perhaps similar to the G3 minitower.
Power Macintosh X-series
- The X-series (X for experimental, extreme, exceptional, just plain fast) would be based on the 8600/9600 case. Room for 6 PCI cards and several internal and front-accessible drives. Why mess with a good thing?
Apple has shown incredible foresight with the Power Mac G3 and the G3 motherboard. Cases are about what I propose for the C- and M-series, with the motherboard identical in each. The motherboard will support a 466 MHz PPC 750 on a 66 MHz bus - and more bus speed in the future.
Design things right and Apple could offer several options: one or two chassis per motherboard, several CPU options. Chic or geek, platinum or black, desktop or tower.
Dan Knight has been using Macs since 1986, sold Macs for several years, supported them for many more years, and has been publishing Low End Mac since April 1997. If you find Dan's articles helpful, please consider making a donation to his tip jar.
Recent Mac Musings
- IDE Is Dead; Long Live SATA!, 11.04. SATA has displaced parallel ATA. While IDE hard drives haven't disappeared, the best deals are in SATA hard drives.
- The Future of Personal Computing: Personal Servers and Low Cost Portables, 11.02. With WiFi everywhere, virtual network computing, and remote access, your iPhone, iTouch, iTablet, or MacBook Air becomes a gateway to your home or office computer.
- The Late 2009 Mac mini Value Equation, 10.21. We called the Mac mini 'the best value in desktop Macs' two months ago, and the refreshed Mac mini only improves that value.
- The Late 2009 MacBook Value Equation, 10.21. The redesigned consumer MacBook uses unibody construction, gains LED backlighting and battery life, but loses FireWire.
- More in the Mac Musings index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: 17" iMac G4/800 MHz, July 2002 - The iMac 'grows up' with a 17" 1440 x 900 display.
- Group of the Day: LisaList supports Lisa users.
- November 8 in LEM history: 99: OS 9: I think I like it - 01: The simplified Mac life - Soured on Windows - Flea market Mac - 02: Little room for improvement in new 'Books - Combo drive upgrade for iceBooks - 04: Re-Porter - 05: Fix the old iMac or buy a Mac mini? - Apple's Copland project - 06: MacBook Core 2 - MacBook value equation - Cheap is as cheap does - 07: Problems with Classic mode in Tiger - The G4 Power Mac that won't run Leopard
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Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Quad-Core CPU Makes Sense in MacBook Pro, OS X 10.6 Causing Overheating, Overseas Power, and More, The 'Book Review, 11.06. Also Late 2009 MacBook reviewed, how to add RAM to new MacBook, 18.4in Acer notebook used Intel i7, and SanDisk SSD chosen for Sony VAIO X.
- Dumping Macs for Google Apps, SSD in iMac, Late 2009 iMac Performance Problems, and More, Mac News Review, 11.06. /newsrev/09mnr/1106.html
- WiFi Paranoia, iMac-O-Lantern, Magic Mouse Does Click, Free Clipboard Managers, and More, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.05. Also strange time stamps, problem with ColorIt on Intel Mac, and the story behind OS X 10.5.4 install discs.
- QuickTime X in Snow Leopard Imports, Trims, and Publishes Video Quickly and Easily, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 11.04. The long, slow process of importing video into iMovie to edit it, then render it to another format, is history as QuickTime X does that much more quickly.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best Mac Pro Deals, 11.03. Used 2.66 GHz 4-core, $1,300; 3.0 8-core. $2,299; refurb 2.66 4-core Nehalem, $2,149; 2.93, $2,549; 2.26 8-core, $2,799; 2.93, $4,999.
- Best iPhone Deals, 11.03. New 8 GB iPhone 3G, $$99; refurb 16 GB 3GS, $149; new, $199; 32 GB, $299.
- Best 12" PowerBook G4 Deals, 11.03. Used 867 MHz SperDrive, $348; 1 GHz, $499; 1.33 Combo, $298; SD, $559; 1.5 Combo, $448; SuperDrive, $589.
- Best Power Mac G3 and PCI Video Card Deals, 11.02. Used beige 300 MHz, $25; G4/366, $49; blue & white 350, $80; 400, $90; 450, $105; PCI video cards from $15; shipping additional.
- Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, 11.02. Used 400 MHz, $50; 733 MHz, $69; 933 MHz, $209; 1.25 GHz dual, $299.
- Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, 11.02. Used 2.0 GHz, $800; 2.2, $900; 2.4, $1,000; refurb 2.53, $1,449; 2.66, $1,699; 2.8, $1,949; 3.06, $2,169; new 2.53, $1,579; 2.66, $1,799; more.
- Best Mac mini Deals, 10.30. Used 1.33 GHz G4 mini, $379; 1.42, $389; 1.5, $419; 1.83 GHz Core Duo, $350; Core 2, $439; new 2.26 GHz nVidia, $580; 2.53 GHz, $770; Server, $990.
- Best G4 iBook Deals, 10.30. Used 12" 1.07 GHz Combo, $225; 1.33 GHz, $298; 14" 1 GHz, $349; 1.33 GHz, $398; 1.42 GHz SuperDrive, $498.
- Best Classic Mac OS Deals, 10.30. System 6.0.8 floppies, $10; 7.1, $12; 7.5, $20; 7.5 CD, $4; 7.6 $13; 8.1, $11; 8.5, $20; 8.6, $90; 9.0, $20; 9.2.2, $30.
- More deals in our archive.
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