Competition Between Mac And PC
Due to the competition between Mac and PC, inventions of computers has
been more rapid than at any other period of time. Microsoft’s Windows has
monopolized the entire personal computer industry with their operating system
and that goes same for the Mac OS 8.5. Since Mac couldn’t attract customers to
buy their computer systems through their optimum operating system they just put
out another computer named iMac to help improve their sales performance in the
computer industry.
"Let's state the obvious: the iMac looks incredibly
cool, is mindlessly easy to set up, and at $1,299 doesn't cost an arm and leg.
But what's not obvious about Apple's futuristic design is that it leaves the
past behind," said my friend Illysa. You get no floppy drive, no parallel port,
no serial port, and no internal card slots (older types of connections used to
connect external peripherals). What you do get is a built-in K56flex modem, two
USB (universal serial bus) ports, a 10/100BaseT network connection, and an
infrared port. A universal serial bus is a new input connection that is trying
to get rid off all the other older connections. A 10/100BaseT network connection
is a type of modem capable of downloading up to 100 times faster then a regular
modem.
So for all the hype about the iMac being the next big thing for
home PC users, people are left wondering how in the heck is someone going to
print a page or swap a file with another computer. You'll have to take your
files to the Net, or else build a home-based network to share data with other
Macs and PCs--unless you have a PowerBook, since most models can interact with
the iMac via its infrared port. As for peripherals, such as printers, it's USB
or nothing, which keeps your options to a minimum, although there will probably
be adapters for certain traditional peripheral devices soon. And since there are
no internal slots, you can forget about adding anything like a video capture
card
or an internal ISDN modem. Apple isn't kidding when it pronounces its
mantra (slogan), "Think different."
On the upside, the all-in-one iMac
can design grab most of the customers attention, drawing curiosity seekers from
all over world who wanted to see something--anything--different than a beige
tower or desktop box. The smooth, triangular shape and translucent, aqua-colored
top made everyone say oohs and aahs, while the simplicity of the iMac's built-in
15-inch display (13.8-inch viewable area) and carrying handle drew fond memories
of the old Mac SE and Classic boxes. The included hockey puck-like mouse also
demands a double-take. However, you'll need time to get accustomed to using it
because of the new operating system and the mouse.
Everyone is impressed
with Apple's flawless setup. Novices can consult the fold-out card illustrating
the six steps to get up and running (put on desk; plug in power, keyboard,
mouse, and modem; and turn it on). If only setup for all PCs could be this
easy.
On the other hand, the iMac boasts a G3 pedigree, but it's the runt
of an award-winning performance litter. Although the iMac runs with a PowerPC
750 233-MHz CPU (computer processing unit), 512K of secondary cache, and 32MB of
SDRAM, it finished behind all other G3 desktops and PowerBooks, and it was even
slower than the discontinued 604e-based 9600/350 Power Macintosh (slowest
Macintosh every built). One culprit is the iMac's 4GB IDE Quantum Fireball SE
hard drive, which spins at 5,400 revolutions per minute and contributes to the
sluggish results.
The built-in speakers deliver somewhat tinny sound akin
to an old AM transistor radio. To get the maximum sound level, an owner has to
set two different volume levels in the software. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't
provide an external thumbwheel for volume.
Someone might experience
uncommon twitches with the display settings, as well: to get usable brightness
and contrast levels, to get the best results both sliders has to be pushed to
the maximum. When the sliders are in the middle settings, the screen was
somewhat dark.
Is the iMac attractive? Looks-wise, without question. Is
it a good machine? That depends on what you need. If you want an affordable,
somewhat slow, space-conscious Internet and network terminal with a
revolutionary eye towards style and future connectivity options, the iMac's your
machine. But for $1,299, someone would prefer to get a floppy drive, room to add
other drives (such as DVD or Zip), more memory, and a machine that works with
the peripherals a person already own. iMac is an excellent computer for mid
class family who can’t afford the newest and fastest computer in the world.