Computer Wars: Macs vs Wintel

For most of the twentieth century the three topics not to discuss in an informal setting were religion, politics and sex. Now we can add one more area to this list, namely the operating system that runs our computers. (For the uninitiated: the set of instructions that is the foundation of how your computer thinks, looks and what hardware or software runs with it.)


ÁViva La Difference!
This column was created using a Macintosh computer. I could have done the same thing on a PC, or Windows machine, but there would have been subtle differences about the way the frame surrounding the text looks. Different commands would be given to alter the styles, but the output would look basically the same on the printout.


No Secret
It should be no secret that I favor the system I use. I even feature the famous Apple in the first screen on my web site. I get no kickbacks from the company for displaying their logo, but I feel that this is such a superior system that highlighting the fact that this was created with a Macintosh computer is a source of pride.


Fine Points
Yes, I am a MacDude. I use the system at home and at work. My first computer was an old Apple Plus, and I've never strayed to the other dominant platform. I don't plan to. And here's the thing: When you use a product that you know is superior, you don't even think of going to another. I'm aware of how the Windows platform is pushing to be the only system out there. Bill Gates, with untold riches, would like to see his system be the only choice. Several years ago there was a court case that, to this day, confuses me by the outcome. Apple sued Gates for copyright violation. Apple said that Windows was a copy of the Macintosh operating system. It looks and behaves essentially the way the Macintosh system does, only clunkier. It operates with a graphical user interface (gooey) where files have images, and intricate commands aren't necessary to operate various functions of the programs. At the top of the screen is a menu that is activated by selecting an area and dragging the cursor to the appropriate place, just like the Mac. To the bottom right is a "Recycle Bin" where the Mac has a "Trash Can" for deleting files. With this system, which is only a shell over the real operating system DOS, Windows users can do their work the same basic way the Mac users do. Even so, it's still only a pale imitation of the original Macintosh system. But the judge ruled in favor of Windows. He said that basically this wasn't an imitation. People on the PC side loved this easier to use platform and Gates continues to prosper. Not like a Mac? This judgment gives literal meaning to the phrase "blind justice"


The Mistake
Here's where Apple blew it. In the great wars between personal (or home) computer manufacturers there were two main camps. Apple and IBM. Both machines did basically the same thing, but with different styles and with different software and equipment. Both manufactured and sold computers and system software. IBM decided, for a fee, to allow other companies to make machines that could run their software. They got richer, but lost hardware sales to companies able to sell computers for considerably less than they did. These machines were known as "clones." Apple didn't go that route. Apple wanted full control over its operating system and sold and distributed it exclusively. This worked well for a while, but shortly the clones became a big problem. While Apple maintained quality products at a higher price, clone makers sold inferior products at a lesser price.


Finally
With no big company overseeing the whole picture, the cheaper machines were more difficult to set up and operate. But they were cheaper. More and more people bought these computers and the prices kept falling. Microsoft, the company Gates founded, took advantage of this glut by offering an operating system that made it easier to use these machines and dubbed it Windows. Apple finally saw the light and allowed other companies to make their machine and use the operating system. This drove the price down comparable to the PCs, but by the time this happened the majority of users were already using the competing system.


You Bet It's Easier!
Run by Intel processors and driven by Windows operating system, these computers are still plagued with problems. It is difficult to attach external devices to these machines. They still have major software problems and users of this system are frustrated and, from several friend's reports, have to call technical support frequently. One close friend, Dennis, was so frustrated that he was more than ready to throw his machine out the window (pun intended) .



The Heart of the Apple
This brings me to the heart of this column, namely will Apple survive the beating its taking in the press and with the stock market? Will the company exist at all? My answer is an unqualified yes. Here's why. With an extremely loyal user base of over sixty million people and a company that still has the most innovative and original staff, why should there be a question? Apple will not only survive, but will prosper in the coming years. The computers run at the fastest speeds, are still the most "user friendly" and have the most visually pleasing display. The machine is favored by artists in both the visual and aural areas. It is also the most popular in the education market, a niche that others would love to take over. Educators love the machine for the quick and intuitive way it operates and the speed students are able to learn on them.



Future Systems
We are getting into the realm where operating systems will be a moot point. With the success of the internet and such languages as HTML and Java, all programs will run on any machine. For the time being, though, we still ask ourselves, what would we prefer? Quality or quantity. I trust the former will prevail. How could it not?

Hugh's Other Views

---

Return to Hugh's "Original" Web Site