- 2001.12.10
We are reaching a time when computers from two or three years
ago can do exactly what brand new computers can do, only a bit more
slowly. While an older G3 or a high-end 604e may not be quite as
fast, they can do what many people want to do on new iMacs and G4s.
What many people forget is that G4s
were out in 1999, and the G3 came out
in late 1997.
Most of the programs people use will run on an older Power Mac.
Microsoft Office, which is the most popular productivity suite,
doesn't need more than a PowerPC with 16 MB of RAM. AppleWorks 6
runs on any Power Mac with 24 MB of RAM and OS 8.1. AOL Instant
Messenger will run on any Power Mac. Photoshop 6 needs a PowerPC
with OS 8.6. (Even PC users are seeing this - a 400 MHz PC from
1999 will do what most users are doing with their 1.5 GHz Pentium
4s. The most common PC applications will run on the 400 MHz
PC.)
Is there no reason to buy a new computer? For many people, no.
Since we've already determined that you can run modern software on
your three-year-old Mac, what will get people to buy a new
computer?
Processor speed isn't as big a factor as it used to be. People
need a real reason to upgrade. If your 233 MHz G3 running OS
8.6 and Office 98 is fine, you have no complaints.
What people need is a demonstration of what a newer model will
do for them. They need helpful features that will save them time
and give them more satisfaction in what they do on their
computer.
Many people don't know about the new PowerPoint QuickTime movie
format in PowerPoint X. They also don't know about Excel X's
translucent charts.
Many people couldn't care less, especially if they are
comfortable with what they have. You've lived without all of these
things for as long as you can remember. Office X will require an
upgrade to OS X, but OS 8 works fine for you. However,
iTunes might be worth a free download....
Maybe the "reason" needs to be introduced. Time for higher
software requirements, perhaps....
- iTunes. Wonderful program. Requires OS 9.
- iTools. Perfectly compatible with OS 8, but Apple
decided to make it require 9. Excellent reason to upgrade.
- iPod. Incredibly cool device. Requires OS 9 and a
FireWire port.
There are hacks that let you use some of these with older
versions of the Mac OS, but by adding these artificial software
requirements, Apple has provided a reason for people to upgrade
their hardware, or at least their operating system. In order to run
OS 9 (so you can run iTunes), you may need to upgrade your RAM. I
am sure that there will be some users buying a new iMac or iBook
just so that they can take advantage of the iPod.
What might have happened if Apple had allowed iTunes to run on
any Mac with OS 8 or higher? Well, I would know a lot more people
still running 8.6, and Apple would have lost a lot of OS 9 sales.
But I would also know more people who complain less about their
systems, who can actually say that their three-year-old Mac feels
fast.
What's next in this list of reasons to upgrade? Perhaps setting
the system requirements for the next version of the Mac OS so that
it would only run on the newest Macs? Forcing users to buy a new
Mac if they want to use the latest version, even if they have a
reasonably current model of Mac already?
The fact is, Macs last for ages. A IIci is sitting next to me running software
from 1999; the IIci came out in 1989. I also have an 8100/80 upgraded to a G3 sitting next to me.
It runs very quickly, and someone with such a machine may decide
that it does the job and not even think of upgrading again. There
are plenty of Mac LC 580s still in
use at schools. Many people use 7300s
and 7600s for real work. A number
even use 6100s. People are hanging on
to their early beige G3s because of
their excellent case design for upgrading and perfect usability
with modern software.
The "reasons" for new hardware are being created by software.
Programs require newer OS versions. Newer OS versions require newer
processors and more RAM. Those require the user to spend money on
upgrades or a new computer. The upgrade cycle continues - leaving
behind, along with the Mac IIfx and
Quadra 840av, the real reasons
to upgrade.
