Is a MAC really a PC?

David Risley over at PCMECH brought up an excellent point. The MAC despite all of the marketing hype by Apple a MAC is really a PC.  I have to agree with him on this argument. Let’s see what makes up a personal computer:

• Hard Drive
• Processor
• Memory(aka: RAM)
• Motherboard(aka:system board)
• Operating system software
• Input devices(aka: keyboard and mouse)
• Video display(aka: monitor)
• Optical drives
• Internet capability
• Designed for personal home use

Now one can argue the finer points of architecture designed into Apple machines and how the are different from Windows or Linux machines. This is no different than saying a certain auto part is only designed and built for a Porsche. That’s fine but, it’s still an automobile just like a Ford.

Please don’t get me wrong I believe Apple machines are well built and are priced accordingly. If you’d like one and can afford one by all means go for it. I do disagree with the perception that a computer made by Apple is not a PC(Personal Computer).

Technorati Tags: mac,mac vs pc,david risley,apple,PC

Laptop Hunters saga

I have to admit I’m a bit behind on the latest round of MAC versus PC(Windows). I find much of it silly and funny. I do know many MAC users can be very defensive about their choice of computers. I once posted a short post about their Safari browser and was soon barraged by hate mail/comments from MAC users. Maybe this post will also incite some of them too.

I’m not to sure what makes MAC users so rabid. I’m a PC but, I don’t hate Apple owners. To be honest they make high quality computers but, along with that goes the high price. It’s like comparing Porsche to Ford. One builds high performance sports cars which are pricey but other markets to the masses with vehicles ranging from trucks to small cars. Both will get you from point A to B.

The ad points out a simple thing which points to one thing I don’t understand. Why pay for high priced computer when something of a lower price will do what you want it to. Is it the image? I agree in many circles as video and graphical artist and such prefer MAC’s and that’s fine. Does everyone need that capability? No.

Most people just need a computer to surf the Internet, check email, play games, and some small office/school stuff. All the stuff a relatively inexpensive Windows based computer will do. Well I just thought I’d add some fuel to the fire of the debate.

Technorati Tags: apple,mac,versus,vs,pc,microsoft,laptop,hunters,windows

History: 40 years computer mouse

The mouse is almost as old as I am. Ughh! Anyway I found this story of the history of the mouse interesting in this article by SolarLife at NowPublic .  What made it more interesting is that Rod Holt has commented on the story. You might say who is Rod Holt. He was Chief Engineer and Vice President of Engineering of Apple during the Apple II era.  An actual tech celebrity! Anyway what makes this particularly amazing is the stunning photograph’s they used in the story(like the one to the right). Yep that’s my mouse from my Macintosh Classic. Ok it a shameless act of self promotion but what the heck.  Well have a great weekend and I’ll talk to you later.

Technorati Tags: history,mouse,40,apple,macintosh,classic,rod holt,apple II,computer

I got a MAC!

I got a Macintosh Classic that is. A friend of mine had this and let me have a go at it. At first it didn't work and all I got was the "sad mac" face with some error numbers. After playing with it I got it booted.

It's alive!

It is a Macintosh Classic model no. 0420 manufactured in March 1991. It has 9 inch monochrome CRT display. A Motorola 68000, 8 Mhz processor and it has at least 1 MB of RAM(I've been unable determine exact amount as of writing this). It is capable of holding 4mb of RAM. It does have the 40 mb hard drive.

It'll be interesting pulling this apart. A lot different from dissecting your typical PC. Unfortunately as far as software it doesn't have a lot installed. Ironicly it does have Microsoft Word and Excel installed along with some miscellaneous software. The software does work but tells me I don't have enough memory to use. It will open the program though.

One button mouse. Hard to believe these people now make the iPhone now.


It's an interesting computer to say the least. Hard to believe these were going for $1000 a piece back in the day. It's kind of a neat computer though I'm not sure what to do with it just yet. I could try and upgrade the memory a bit. From what I read these were popular for schools back when they came out. It's certainly different trying to use this with tiny 9 inch monitor. Boy has technology come a long way since then. Thanks for coming by. If your interested in more information on these here are some links I found:

Macintosh Classic - Wikipedia

History of Computer design: Macintosh Classic

Cracking open a Macintosh Classic - Tech Republic

Macintosh Classic - EveryMac.com

Macintosh Classic - Apple

Apple Parody

I know this clips been around for awhile but. I still find it funny. Be aware that it does contain some adult language so it may not be safe for work or around your kids.