🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <76000018@uiucdcsp> gillies@uiucdcsp.cs.uiuc.edu writes:
>
>I fell in love with the Mac and want to purchase one soon.  Our local
>dealer said Apple will have a sale (approx 10% off) october 1-3, and
>this will apply to university discounts.
>
>However, three things really bother me:
>
>(1) Using MacDraw and MacWrite, I was really frustrated by the small
>screen.  This makes me apprehensive about buying a Mac +/SE, especially
>since my mother may use it, and her eyesight is fading -- not good if
>you must frequently use "reduce screen" to see what you're doing.  All
>3rd-party displays base at $1500.  I don't want to spend much more
>than $3000 total.

There exists "FreeWare" type utilities that increase the size of the
of the fonts used for the menus and icons, as well as one that makes the
cursor larger.  Most user clubs will have these or you can get them off
of Compuserve.  You might also be able to get them from people on the
net.  Sorry but I don't remember the names.

>
>(2) I understand the worth of the Macintosh O/S, but I am worried
>about Apple's "closed system" approach arrogance.  There are no clone
>makers to drive down prices and keep Apple honest.  Example: The SE is
>configured to force people to buy hard disks from Apple (why can't I
>buy an SE with one disk and buy a third-party HD?  I must waste $$$ on
>a 2-disk system).

Unfortunate but true.  The cost in duplicating a Macintosh is not the
hardware, but rather the software.  This includes the Finder and the ROM
and consists of a large amount of code.  Add to this Apple's 
holding onto their "look and feel" and I doubt you'll see any clones for
awhile.  However some vendors are offering rebates for the second drive
so look around.

>
>(3) For many of the things I want to do, I don't think I can beat the
>price/performance of a taiwan AT.  < $2500 for an EGA color, 20Mb HD,
>Modem, Mouse, MS-Word system, with processor performance between a Mac
>SE and a Mac II.

Processor performance of a 8 Mhz AT is about that of an SE, wheras a
Mac II is 2 to three times that of an SE.  However I agree, the
price-performance ratio of an AT clone is hard to beat.  I don't know
what kind of things you want to do, but I suggest you find someone 
who owns a Mac that is doing the same kind of things and let them show
you how easy it is to do your tasks on the Mac.  Find a local user's
group and they can help you.  DON'T waste your time at the dealer,
most dealer's know little about the equipment they're trying to sell you.
I think you'll find the ease of use and the ease of integration worth
the extra price.  

>
>I'd appreciate it if someone could address these concerns, since I
>really want a Mac, but cannot buy one in good conscience right now.
>Do other people see these things as problems?  What are the solutions?
>
>Don Gillies {ihnp4!uiucdcs!gillies} University of Illinois


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