Re: The Joy of Retro Computing

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

Kevin Ridolfi <kridolfi@renaissancemag.com> wrote:

>The following look at "the joys of a computer with 4MB of RAM and a
>9-inch screen" (Mac)

Apple IIGS with 8MB of memory and an SVGA screen
in a PC tower case, thank you.

>The little guy came loaded with four megabytes of RAM, two internal hard
>drives (both 250 megabytes), the optional internal SuperDrive 1.44
>floppy drive (which is today's standard for the dying floppy disk
>formats), Ethernet, and a tilt-swivel stand that literally rocks the
>entire computer back and forth for your viewing preference. It's like a
>Mac Lay-Z-Boy. I love it.

1GB hard drive, CD-ROM, Zip drive and 8MB of RAM
for my IIGS.  ;-)

>The SE doesn't delude you into thinking it will outperform today's
>machines. In my home office, it literally faces a 450 MHz Pentium II on
>the opposite wall. My SE seems to stand and operate in defiance of
>today's technology. With the tilt-swivel stand adding 3-4", the SE
>approaches the height of the HP Pavilion tower. The 9" black and white
>SE screen is nearly half that of the 17" color PC model across the room.
>
>Ironically, I find the SE forcing me to be more productive. For example,
>if I type my column for Renaissance Magazine on my HP Pentium II,
>there's the Internet, a DVD-ROM drive, and several multimedia games to
>distract me. On the SE, Microsoft Word is really pushing the 16 MHz
>processor and available RAM. It forces a singular focus for the user.

Very IIGS like.  ;-)  But I've used SEs before and I can
tell you, my 12.5Mhz equipped IIGS feels snappier
than a 16Mhz SE.  Even with AppleWorks GS.
IIGS software is optimized.  Mac software, even older
Mac software, is bloated.

Besides, the IIGS can play MIDI and MOD music in
the background with its 32-channel Ensoniq sound
chip to distract you.  The SE can't do that.

>The SE supposedly has engraved signatures of Steve Jobs and Steve
>Wozniak (Apple Computer founders) inside the chassis. After researching
>it on www.lowendmac.com, I learned the 9" screen stores enough static
>electricity to shock or kill the uninitiated Bob Villa's of computer
>repair. I'm sure it looks cool, but I will leave it alone.

I do not know about the SE, but some IIGSes do in
fact have Woz's signature and in the ROM of the
ROM 3 unit is a digitized sound file containing the
voices of the IIGS design team (of which Woz was
one) shouting "Apple II" all together.

>So, if collecting 1966 Ford Mustangs is out of your budget, consider the
>pioneers of desktop computing. My SE will function as a print server,
>networked floppy, and SCSI interface for my Jaz drive.

The IIGS is more of a Mustang.  The SE lacks the
flair.  It is more like an old truck.