Evolution and Intelligent Design in Computing

There is a definitive difference between the design paradigms of Apple Computers and Microsoft Window devices, and it affects everything you do with computers.

“The first wave of miniature computers from Microsoft Corp.’s Origami project will be available (soon) at prices from $600 to $1,000 — offering advanced features but initially falling short of some long-term goals that Bill Gates has established for such devices, called “Ultra Mobile PCs,” or “UMPCs.”

In some respects, the initial Origami devices do reflect Gates’ stated vision. The company says the touch screens on the small PCs will be about 7 inches across, and the devices will run standard Windows programs.

Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg, who has been testing one of the devices, said that adaptation for the small screen appears to differentiate them from other miniature PCs. And he said he expects them to improve.

But Microsoft’s announcement answered many of the remaining questions — making it clear, for example, that Microsoft will stick with its traditional business model of providing software and general design guidelines to hardware makers, which then make and sell the devices under their own brands.” – quote from Todd Bishop, Seattle PI

Do you see the evolution here? Let the market drive the improvements. Let’s keep our hands off the suppliers of these devices. Let them follow whatever pattern works. (Maybe they will get lucky…)

But it is the customer who suffers, right? People buy the newest things running Windows. What do they get? Beta devices. Buggy. Feature poor. Scant battery life. Rotten interface (What? No keyboard?!). Such a great way to build a world-class device that everyone desires, isn’t it?

Now look at Intelligent Design in consumer computing. Look at most anything made by Apple.

You will find that any product made by Apple is of excellent design right out of the box (and even the box is of noteworthy design). There is no throwing of the standards out to the market and hoping something intelligent immerges. Apple takes complete control of the hardware design themselves, and it is not released to the consumer until it is perfect, with an intuitive human interface that works flawlessly. And what the consumer gets are jewel-like Nanos, glittering iPods, and awesome, elegant iMacs, MacBook Pros and Towers. Things anyone would be pleased to have in their home or office.

Besides this, there is no hopeful evolution of Apple’s software either. Instead, the software adds real value to the excellent hardware, and most of it is absolutely free. And if it is not free, it is well worth investing in, for the small amount that it costs. Nobody has software like Apple’s software – Tiger OS X, iLife, .Mac, iPhoto, iDVD, iTunes, GarageBand, iWeb, iDisk, etc., etc.

Apple computers and iPods reflect intelligence in their design of both the hardware and software.

(Burning question: Will next month’s new iPod VP with a touch screen be the UMPC everyone wanted?)

Let’s just say, that in comparison to all the Windows devices out there, an Apple device is like the difference between a monkey and a man.

So, why choose chancy evolution in your computing over intelligent design? Don’t monkey around. Get an Apple Mac or iPod. It is the intelligent choice.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Regards,
Roger Born
“Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.”

.