No, no, no. Christopher, you missed the point of Carolyn's argument. The truly remarkable thing about our old PCI Macs is that we've been able to hot rod them well enough to nearly keep up with the state of the art, not that we're a bunch of masochists willing to sacrifice practicality for nostalgia.
Running "Apple Writer" on my Apple II+ was so much better than typing I couldn't believe it; especially when I installed a pirate lower case ROM and wired the "shift key mod" so I could actually see lower case on the screen. I loved those days, but I wouldn't go back. Want to buy my Apple II+? Complete with printer and all the original software, guaranteed not DOA. Video, fast internet, and OSX are all going to impose new requirements. They already have. Besides, some of the new Macs have 33mhz PCI slots. I'll have to find out which ones. Then I'll be off writing the next episode of "The Computer That Never Died." I'll still be two years behind the state of the art and saving thousands of dollars in depreciation. I'll have to wait for all the nifty new bells and whistles to get cheap enough for me to afford. (like RAID) Likewise, I'll wait for video standards to become settled before I invest thousands. Herb >From: Christopher D Helmkamp <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> (PCI PowerMacs) >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> (PCI PowerMacs) >Subject: Re: a bus can only go so fast! Even in Pittsburgh! >Date: Fri, 24 May 2002 16:39:56 -0400 > > >That may be true, but if you are saying that most people will never > >need another computer, you are ignoring two things. > >I think you missed the nuance of my argument: that as long as older >hardware can do what you *need* to do, there is no reason to rush out >and buy a new computer. Certainly, should you one day need software >that is incompatible with your current setup, should you need >peripherals that require new hardware, or should your computer die, >it is time to buy something newer. > >My main point is that you should not be dragged too easily into speed >envy. For what most users do, a 50Mhz bus is more than sufficient if >coupled with fast enough hard drives, ample memory, and pretty much >any G3-era processor. It simply isn't worth worrying about a 50Mhz >bus limitation if that isn't going to be a real world constraint on >your productivity or level of entertainment. > >For example, I get the same amount of work done per hour on my 7500 >as on my Gigahertz Windows and Linux boxes, or any G4 tower I've >used. There was a time not too long ago that a computer would have >interfered with my ability to get things done. Remember "Thinking... >Printing... Thinking... Printing..." on the Apple II? Now, the >tables have turned and if anything I interfere with the computer's >ability to get things done. I anticipate that aside from portability >issues, the 7500 will fulfill my real world needs for at least >another five years. Then again, my main creative use is writing and >research. > >The second point is that there must at some time be a levelling of >computational speed requirements, particularly when it may be a >decade or more before a majority of computer users have true >"broadband" access to shared information. External factors, >including but not limited to our own human sensory limitations, are >beginning to seriously lag our increased need for speed. The fact >that computers are getting faster at a ridiculous rate is something >only Apple seems confident to change. > >That said, I am not a Luddite, and if I had a million dollars I would >probably go out and buy an whole rack of Xserves, a G4 tower, a >PowerBook, 23" cinema displays, and all the bells and whistles. But >this would be purely for entertainment, and not add to my level of >productivity in the slightest. > >OK... this is starting to go off topic, so I apologize. To bring it >back on topic: > >If you own a PCI PowerMac and are seriously considering upgrading it >with any current G3 or G4 processor (chances are that's a majority of >those who subscribe to this list), you probably have no need to worry >about bus speed. If you are worried about bus speed, you probably >need a newer Mac, and a newer list! >-- >--Chris > >PM 7500/604e 200Mhz >4 gig SCSI >256 megs >OS 8.6 >(This machine rocks!) > >-- >PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... > > Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | > -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | > > Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> > >PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> > --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; >Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> > >Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com > _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
