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Low End Mac User - Forever

I bought my first computer in 1989. It was a Mac SE with 2 megs RAM and a 40MB hard drive and an Imagewriter LQ printer. I thought I was on top of the world compared to the PC system my employer, at the time, was using. I used my SE primarily for word processing and personal finances. I started doing my own taxes with MacInTax and using Quicken to gain control of my budget.

Keep in mind, I had absolutely no prior experience with personal computers other than the one my employer used. Of course, they were calling their consultants once or twice a day to discuss problems with their system, which was basically being used to maintain a database. When I decided to take the plunge, I wanted a system that was easy to setup, use, and trouble free.

How experienced was I at the time? The store where I bought the machine advertised a sale price for a Mac SE30 which I promptly decided to buy. To make a long story short, the store (which went bankrupt soon after) pulled a switch on me and I ended up with an SE. Not knowing any better, I went merrily along doing my thing with my little grey box. If I had experienced any problems that required a trip back to a service shop, I may have found out about the switch. However, from the day I plugged in the power cord, I had absolutely no problems with the little guy. It was only when I started checking into my upgrade options about three years ago that I realized what had happened.

In February, 1995, I bought a Performa 6205CD, 8MB RAM, 1gig hard drive. MacInTax required more RAM to operate and I had no choice. I chose the 6205 because it came with an external 28.8 modem instead of the internal 14.4 that was standard on the 6200 series (I believe very strongly in plug and play). Again, other than the logic board problem the 5200/6200 series experienced and the usual software conflicts, I have not had any problems that required standing in line at the local service center.

Regarding that logic board problem--I called Apple support about two months ago after running the 5200/6200 Tester program and being advised by the program it had found a problem. This was the first time I had a need to call Apple Support. Although getting through takes some patience, once there I was advised my machine was still under warranty for the board problem and that Apple would send a service person to my HOME to replace it. The service person called me later the same day and made an appointment to come the next day and replace the board. Talk about service!

The story doesn't end. A couple of days later, I hit the power key and nothing happened. After doing the usual troubleshooting routines, I called Apple support again (twice in one week! A record!). After advising the customer rep about my problem, I was told they would send a service person back to my home. Turns out the power supply had died. Although I was prepared to pay for the parts and service call, the service rep said there was no cost to me.

Today, my Performa has 40MB of RAM, a ZIP drive, Visioneer VX scanner, speakers, and two printers (my original Imagewriter LQ and a Stylewriter) and an array of software. Everything has been plug and play or install and go including installing the RAM, which takes about five minutes.

I smile when I visit the local computer superstore to buy an extra ink cartridge and walk past the line of people at the repair service desk (some of whom have been there more times than they would like to admit).

Come to think of it-- I have a suggestion for Apple. Why not set up their new CompUSA boutiques right next to the service desk and that line of people? While they're waiting, let them install and launch applications or plug in peripherals, install the software and use the device. Let them find out for themselves what makes the Macintosh better.

It's not hard to guess where I stand in the debate about MAC versus . Need I say more?

And the little grey box with the 68000 processor and 2MB RAM? My 14 year old daughter uses it to do school reports using the original applications that came preinstalled when I bought the machine.

Sincerely,

Phil Corpus

As many people have said before, imagine a PC user relating a story like this about their first PC. Macintosh... gotta love it!

Reviewing Standards

My Mac Guru,

With Christmas just a few days gone, I have been taking in the "after Xmas sales" and looking for a few Mac related bargains. To help me in looking for a great all around piece (hardware, software, whatever) I have been goofing off reading all sorts and kinds of reviews. The reviews I have come across all have great things to say about every product. So what is the deal and why is this guy writing?

Well, it's this, we all have an older Mac, right? We can never have the newest, the best, the finest nor the fastest. We seem to be stuck with what the recreational budget will allow. What I am getting at is do you have any plans or have you seen any planned site, column, et cetera that has done some research by either actual use or rumour how a particular product performs on a variety of Mac machines?

I have here at the house 3 Macs and all have different versions of several software products. There is NO one product that seems to run on a variety of machines, other than screen savers and simple games which do help you through the day but do nothing to get the job done. And then there is the problem of, let's say, the new games like Riven. Do I now have to trade in my 2 year old PPC 5200 to get this baby to run? I might get by with my 2X CD drive but they say you need the 4X model. Well, does a guy run out and drop 50 bucks to find out I now need a drive as well? Same goes for the average calendar application; nope, color not supported, or it needs 5MB to run... maybe if I tweak the Vmemory just a bit more.... These are just a couple of things I have been trying to decide on buying recently for the best of the 3 Macs here (Classic, IIcx, 5200CD).

Have your reviewers come across this time honoured problem as well? Many times it would be handy to consult a simple chart and see the bare minimum machine that would keep a product running from a Mac Classic all the way up to the most current model available to the reviewer.

Be honest, am I dreaming?

Hope Santa was good, have a safe and prosperous New Year!

Don

Don, sad to say, but no, we don't have any plans for a test facility for our reviewers to come together to put items under the My Mac torture test to find out how they hold up to the wear and tear of normal everyday use. The best that we can do when we review an item is to give the "system requirements" and let you know how it worked on particular models, to wit, our staff members home computers.

Sometimes the only way to get info regarding items is to contact the manufacturers themselves by phone (preferably an 800 number) or online, inquiring as to what models/system setups the item will work or not work with, or to check with other Mac users as to problems or concerns on a particular item.

Betcha Can't Do That With Your PC

Hello Tim,

I guess I've been in a fog lately. I would very much like to be a subscriber to My Mac Magazine. I just don't know where I've been for the last 31 updates. Thanks for adding me to the list.

I'll relate a little Mac story for you... Just for kicks I took an old, unused IIcx at a hospital where I'm working and converted it into a digital picture slide show machine for operative cases we perform each week. I use a Sony Mavica camera and run JPEG view in slide-show mode. With the 16MHz and 4 RAM and II Nubus display card, all doing their very best, I get a slow, but very functional presentation out of it.

What the real hoot is... is I got all the PC drone heads to admit that Mac has it and they are just acceptors of mediocrity. I still won't show them how to do this on their PC machines. I tell them that it's not possible (I know, I know, I shouldn't lie, but it would take me too long to work out the kinks to make it work on their junk... plus I get a rash when I have to work on a PC).

Take it easy,
Mike Banks

Oh yeah, please don't sell my name to spammers. I hate them.

Mike, we're glad to see that even older Macs continue to serve a vital role out in the real world. And regarding selling names of subscribers, that is one thing that does not occur here at My Mac. We do not sell our subscriber list to anyone, period.

Be sure to drop us a note with any thoughts, corrections, or problems you may have. We all love to hear from you, and we do need to fill this page every month! (Remember to let us know if you'd prefer to not have your e-mail address printed.) So write in!

Tim Robertson is the Publisher of My Mac, and unless otherwise noted answers all the e-mail on this page.

e-mail:
Tim Robertson - publisher@mymac.com
Russ Walkowich - editor@mymac.com

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