From: mike_steiner@qm.claris.com (Mike Steiner)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: Re: Macs cost too much (NOT!)
Date: 23 Jul 92 21:10:52 GMT

In article <1992Jul23.143042.14243@nsisrv.gsfc.nasa.gov>, smoon@strfleet.gsfc.nasa.gov (Sang J. Moon) writes:

> I've been using System 7 with tuneup 1.1.1 for about 6 months now, and I've
> had to reinstall system 7 and/or rebuild the desktop file an average of
> twice a month.  With 75MB of stuff on my hard drive, this has been the
> biggest waste of my time.  If time is money, saying that the mac saves
> money this way is not totally true.  From my experience with both macs and
> PCs, it seems that no matter what machine I use, I am able to waste the
> same amount of time "fiddling" with either machine.  Installing software
> takes just about the same time.  Deinstalling software is just as agonizing
> for either machine.  Installing an interface board on a PC takes a little
> effort, but it's a one time effort usually and in the long run does not
> take any significant time.  Anyone can see that macs have their share of
> problems by browsing through the comp.sys.mac hierarchy.  I do like the mac
> better than the PC because of the little extras it gives, but macs cost
> 2 to 3 times more than corresponding PC systems regardless of the extra
> "fiddling" time needed for PCs.  At work I use a mac because I don't pay for
> it, but at home, I bought a 386-40 because it gives the best computing value
> for it's price.

There is a big difference between reinstalling the system and rebuilding the
desktop.  Combining them into one statement that you do either is meaningless.
Rebuilding the desktop takes a few minutes; reinstalling the system is a much
more time-consuming job and indicates a serious problem.  Personally, I haven't
needed to reinstall my system since I started using system 7--on any of the
five machines (both work and home) on which I use it.  I'd suggest that you
check the media of your hard disk if you have had to reinstall your system
as much as you imply.  So, out of dozen times, how many were system reinstalls,
and how many were rebuilding the desktop?

> The system I got was:
> 
> 386-40Mhz CPU w/64K cache
> 4 MB RAM
> 1.2MB & 1.44MB floppies
> 211MB IDE 15ms hard drive
> 1Kx768 VGA card with 1MB RAM
> 2400 baud internal modem
> 28dp non-interlaced SVGA monitor
> 101 enhanced keyboard
> high resolution mouse
> 2 serial/1 parallel/1 game ports
> DOS 5.0
> Windows 3.1
> printer cable (already had a printer)
> public domain software
> 
> for $1678.95 including tax.
> 
> If you respond to this post, please list the system you bought and
> how much you paid for it.  It shows what you actually have to back your
> views.  It may also show that you had much more money than I had to spend.
> In which case, there should be no need for everybody yelling their heads
> off because I too would buy a mac if I had that much money to spare.

I find it very interesting that DOS people continue to talk about their
hardware, whereas Mac people talk about what you can do with it.  Computers
are a tool--a means to an end; they are not an end in and of themselves.
Macs are better tools; they let you get your jobs done faster and with less
effort--and usually allow you to produce a better end result.  You can get
a Mac that looks less capable on paper than your DOS machine, but with that
Mac you will be able to do a better job, and do it faster and easier--which, 
in the end final analysis, is the only important thing
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc