Re: why did apple go mac?

[frankc <frankc@srv.net>]

> It simply indicates that there is a market for the closed box design.  To
> some, open hardware is simply not an issue.  They buy the machine and use it,
> and that they really care about is the machine working.  Today's hardware
> pretty much has everything that most people will need, so it is pretty much
> a matter of buying the software to use those features you want.  Upgrading
> components as you go.  What's the point?  There were at least three types of
> memory which were commonly used in PC's over the last decade; ISA, VESA and
> PCI were common expansion busses; the window for upgrading processors is
> narrow indeed; now even the power supplies have changed.  By the time you
> need to change, the rug is pulled from under you and you have to start all
> over again.

Not really, if you look at what is available for the PC then they have even
encouraged an upgrade.  You can still get AT motherboards that can use two
different types of memory.  You can get ATX cases that can accept both AT and
ATX motherboards.  Many new motherboards come with both AT and ATX power supply
connections.  Many come with on board sound, video, modem and network: so saving
those ISA cards is no longer needed.  Many motherboards can use the first
Pentium chip or you can install a brand new 500 MHz chip in it.  In fact I am
looking into upgrading my PC and the first item will be a case so that I am
ready for that more advanced motherboard.  The PC industry has gone out of its
way to develop backward compatible motherboards to ease the upgrade process.
The reason?  The industry realized that it is such a waste of resources to keep
rebuying the same equipment over and over again that they had to make them
upgradable.  When you take that supposedly old computer to the thrift shop
somebody IS buying it and making use of it.  If Apple had continued to lead the
industry they would be in the same boat.  "Upgradable" would be the only thing
you would hear.

Frank