From: d88-jwa@dront.nada.kth.se (Jon W{tte)
Subject: Re: Difference between different Macintosh machines
Originator: d88-jwa@dront.nada.kth.se
Organization: Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 10:21:46 GMT

> ufm2t@fulton.seas.Virginia.EDU (Usman Malik) writes:

   Hi, I recently started using Macs.  I own a PC-compatible and can probably
   answer a lot of questions about IBM-compatible machines but when it comes
   to Apple's Macintosh, I'm clueless.  First, can someone please explain to

You'll soon be a convert :-)

   me what are the primary differences between the Mac II, IIsi, IIci, LC, SE
   and others in that category (like what's SE? and SE/30?).  Furthermore,
   what is the most recent OS running on Macintosh computers?  How about use
   of SuperDrives?  IBM-Macintosh compatibility?  And maybe also if it would
   be a good idea to invest in a Macintosh machine and if so, how much should
   I expect to pay.

See below.

   Please email any responses since I have yet to read about 300 articles
   before I will be able to read your reply if posted on the Net.  Thanks.

SO, just read the 300 articles; if you're interested in macs, this
is a good way to start.

All macs can run the latest system software, system 7.0.1 (with
the Tune Up 1.1.1 bug-fix) and various extensions such as the
add-on software for reading/writing MS-DOS disks. There's a
program called Soft-PC that actually emulates a PC; but it's
NOT FAST...

Other system extensions are QuickTime (requires color) and
various communications tools (networking (LocalTalk) and file
sharing and -serving etc. are already built-in)

Looking at currently available macs:

Mac Classic	- basically the same as the plus from 1985. Cheap, but
		limited. A little hotter than a PC/XT...
		Max memory 4(!) MB No color capability ever.
Mac Classic II	- compare to a 386SX-25 or so. Comes with built-in 9"
		black&white screen. 16-bit data path, not terribly fast.
		One (special) slot. Max memory 10 MB. You'll have to
		buy an extra card and monitor for color.
Mac LC II	- a Classic II, but in modular design and with a built-in
		video card doing 8 bits graphics at 512x384 or 4 bit
		graphics at 640x480. Can be expanded to 16/8bpp.
		One (special) slot.
Mac IIsi	- built-in graohics, 8bpp at 640x480 @ 14", also handles
		other kinds of monitors (i.e. 15" page view)
		Speed about as 386-33 (note, no SX) 32-bit data bus,
		max memory 17 MB. One PDS slot compatible with SE/30,
		also adaptable to be a NuBus slot instead.
Mac IIci	- as IIsi, but faster, three NuBus slots, max memory
		32 MB (maybe even more with 16 MB SIMMs, but that remains
		to be seen) _FAST_ SCSI interface.
Quadra 700	- same case as IIci, 68040 CPU@25MHz, running like a
		486-DX2@25MHz. Three slots, 20 MB memory max. FAST SCSI
		and just about everything else. Built-in video that
		handles at full expansion 24bpp@17" or 8bpp@21"
Quadra 950	- "tower" model, 68040@33MHz, about the same as the 700
		but faster, five or six slots, 64 MB memory max (actually
		takes 16 SIMMs, so with 16MB SIMMs...) oversized power
		supply, plenty of room for internal devices.
		Video does 16bpp@21" and 24bpp@everything below.

PowerBook 100	- Mac Classic to go, basically.
PowerBook 140	- Classic II to go, but faster.
PowerBook 170	- Speed as IIci, b/w LCD display with the sharpest,
		clearest image EVER (Active Matrix)

Some recent models:
MacPlus, Mac SE - the same as Classic
Mac LC - as LC II, but with 68020 instead of 68030 (i.e. no
	virtual memory)
Mac IIx, IIcx, SE/30 - the same machine in different casings.
	a little slower than IIsi. (not much)
Mac IIfx - faster than a IIci, case as II and IIx (5 or 6 slots)
Mac II - 68020 instead of 68030 as in IIx.

Price varies between $900 and $9000 (well, more actually) for
complete, usable systems. A used IIfx is not a bad choice for
a high-end system, a PowerBook 100 is about the cheapest entry
you will find usable.

All now selling macs have SuperDrives; the plusses, SEs and II
may not have superdrives if bought used. All macs now selling
has built-in sound input; all macs have 4-channel sampled-sound
output. Most macs now has ADB ports for keyboards/mice, all macs
have SCSI ports, all macs have 2 serial ports (NuBus cards can
add more serial ports)

The color-capable macs (i.e. all but classic, plus, SE and PB 100)
all can programatically handle as many screens OF DIFFERENT SIZE
AND DEPTH as you throw at them. That's what's great about macs;
applications WILL WORK even when you expand your system; and
handling conflicting interrupt vectors and other hairy stuff is
a thing of the past (but there are other gotchas; though less
severe)

The thing about the macs is NOT the actual machine performance
(though that's OK too) but the experience of using one while
working - it's fun, painless and gives a tremendous effectivity
boost that no other computer system I've tried has given me.
You DO things instead of PREPARE for doing them :-)

Hope this helps; obviously I have only scratched the surface of
what's available and the differences.
-- 
         Jon W{tte, Svartmangatan 18, S-111 29 Stockholm, Sweden

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