From 4WL.
Other Computers #1
******************
The Macintosh Classic 2
***********************
The Classic 2 was the last of Apple's all in one monochrome Macintosh's. Their
last real all in one Mac was the Colour Classic which basically was the
Classic 2 with an internal colour tube and a few updated hardware features.
They both had full 68030s running at 16mhz. There is a Performa model
available all in one, but it has a larger tube and lacks the mobility of
the Classics light weight design.
Many people consider the Macs underpowered, overpriced and simplistic. The
underpowered bit is wrong when you think of current PowerMacs but it was
true of the Classic 2. Overpriced is probably fair criticism even today.
The Mac market is not as fiercely competitive as the PC world. Simplistic is
actually a compliment of sorts. They do treat users in a friendly and
respectful way. Most programs share a similar look and it takes a minimal
amount of time to get familiar with even quite complicated applications.
The Mac is productivity compared to the PCs hassle. Take a few scenarios.
Connect a printer.
PC=Buy a printer, sort out a driver, configure it, loads of possible
problems with different applications.
Mac=Buy printer, insert disk, install, print stuff.
Ok it's an Apple printer and sundrys might be a bit higher plus of course the
slightly higher price of the printer in the first place.
For example two printers.
Canon BJ200 standard monochrome auto sheetfeed bubblejet printer, two
compatibility modes, dipswitches for setting up. Various buttons on top.
Apple Stylewriter 2(a Apple customised clone of BJ200) one button on/off.
The computer controls everything else.
Format a floppy.
PC=Insert disk. Type format command and parameters or use Windows options.
If it's duff, maps out bad sectors. Mind you a disk with bad sectors could
lead to problems later.
Mac=Insert disk. Mac recognises it's unformatted straight away. Brings up
format option. If it's a HD disk will give option of Mac or PC format at
about 1.4meg or DD gives 800k or 720k PC option. While formatting if error
occurs disk is automatically ejected. Unformatted disks cannot remain in
the drive.
The Mac shares fonts, printer driver, screen information and system
resources between different applications. So much so that software from the
past before many new graphics cards were released is fully compatible. Can
you imagine a 1985 CGA PC program operating in SVGA mode when used on todays
PCs without modification?
My Classic 2 has 4meg built in and a 80meg SCSI hard drive. Hardly a state
of the art system. The ram is doubled using Ram doubler and the hard drive
is compressed using stacker. It's no Pentium basher and people will look down
on its monochrome display. However the screen has a good refresh rate and
so is flicker free. You can use it for hours and hours without any migraine.
It never prints out garbage, all printouts are spot on. It makes nice little
noises when you make a mistake. You can sample your voice using the supplied
microphone and this can be played back as an error message or a startup
voice. It ejects disks when it needs to so you won't make mistakes and knows
disks by name. Applications have plenty of help provided. The finder built
in means applications rarely lose track of files they need. Programs don't
need special startup disks or bootup configurations.
The Mac is alive now in the UK, there's quite a few support magazines.
Although most Macs are sold into the business/industrial community there is
a strong domestic userbase of machines like the Classic 2 and LC. Plus many
people are buying PowerMacs instead of Pentiums.
The PC is still the safe bet and offers better value for money but for those
who want a more stable platform and greater levels of productivity the Mac
is the best choice.
This may strike a chord with PC users struggling to get Windows 95 to run
properly or those with hardware glitches and soundcard problems.
PRESS RELEASE
*************
Apple Introduces Advanced Macintosh Classic II
COMDEX, Las Vegas, Nevada--October 21, 1991--Building on the success
of the fastest selling computer in its history, Apple Computer, Inc.
today announced the new Apple Macintosh Classic II computer. The
Classic II extends the capabilities of the original Macintosh Classic
by incorporating more advanced features--greater performance, virtual
memory support under System 7, more memory expansion, and sound input
capabilities--while still maintaining affordability.
The announcement took place on the opening day of COMDEX, the
world's largest personal computer exposition. The week-long show
draws 100,000 attendees from all over the world with diverse
computing interests. In keeping with its goal to reach more people
with Macintosh, Apple introduced the Classic II here to attract new
customers who have not historically purchased Macintosh. Apple
believes the combination of more powerful capabilities in the
traditional Macintosh design will expand the popularity of the
Macintosh among customers in all markets.
"We've taken the best features of the original Classic and added
the capabilities customers want most," said John Sculley, Apple's
chairman and chief executive officer. "This advanced Mac Classic
gives customers a high performance option in the all-in-one Macintosh
design that will help Apple reach an ever growing number of people
who want a computer that's powerful, yet highly affordable and still
easy to use."
The Classic II has the same all-in-one design as the original
Classic, yet features a number of higher performance features. Most
notably, it is based on a 16MHz Motorola 68030 microprocessor. This
provides double the performance of the Classic and gives users the
power to run the most sophisticated applications. Additionally, the
030 chip supports System 7's virtual memory feature so users can run
more powerful applications without buying more memory. For users who
need more RAM (random access memory), the Classic II is expandable
up to 10MB. The Classic II also incorporates an internal, on-board
connector to support a floating point math coprocessor for users who
need more number crunching power. And finally, Apple has added a
microphone and sound input capability to the Classic II, allowing
users to easily add sound or voice comments to documents.
As with every Macintosh, the Classic II has numerous built-in
capabilities. These include AppleTalk networking, which allows
customers to easily connect their systems to other computers,
printers, and file servers; a SuperDrive high density floppy disk
drive that is capable of reading, writing, and formatting Macintosh,
MS-DOS, OS/2, and ProDOS disks; Small Computer Systems Interface
(SCSI), which lets customers easily add peripherals to their systems
such as printers, scanners, CD-ROM drives, and external hard disks;
Apple Desktop Bus (ADB), which gives customers a standard way to
connect keyboards, mice, trackballs, modems, and graphics tablets;
and sound output, which lets customers play back voice messages and
sounds.
Apple is also making it easy and affordable for the hundreds of
thousands of current Classic customers to upgrade to the Classic II.
The company will offer a dealer installed logic board upgrade that
includes a logic board with 2MB of RAM, microphone, system software
and complete documentation. The Macintosh Classic will remain in the
product line as the most affordable member of the Macintosh family.
Pricing and Availability
The Macintosh Classic II will be available immediately through
all authorized Apple resellers worldwide. In the United States, the
Classic II comes equipped with Macintosh System 7.0.1 software,
HyperCard 2.1 software, mouse, keyboard, microphone, complete
documentation, training software, and a one-year limited warranty.
Manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) and availability in the
United States are as follows:
Product/Configuration MSRP Availability
Classic II 2MB RAM/40MB Hard Disk $1,899 Immediate
Classic II 4MB RAM/80MB Hard Disk $2,399 Immediate
Classic II Logic Board Upgrade $699 November
(Prices, configurations and availability may vary outside the United
States.)
-30-
Apple, the Apple logo, Macintosh, and AppleTalk are registered
trademarks; and SuperDrive and Apple Desktop Bus are trademarks of
Apple Computer, Inc. Classic is a registered trademark used under
license by Apple Computer, Inc. HyperCard is a registered trademark
of Apple Computer, Inc. licensed to Claris Corp.
END
Apple Press Releases
PR Express
10/21/91
Speedometer Report for . Tests Run April 2, 1996.
Report generated April 2, 1996.
Machine Record Version: 9
User Comment:
Record Version 9: , Mac Classic II, CPU: MC68030, System 7.1.0, RAM: 4Mb,
Drive Tested: Macintosh HD
System Information:
Computer: Mac Classic II
Native CPU: MC68030
Nominal CPU: MC68030
FPU: No FPU
MMU: MC68030 MMU
Addressing Mode: 24 bit
Physical RAM: 4096K
Logical RAM: 4061K
ROM Version: $067C
ROM Size: 512
AudioVisual Information
Color Quickdraw: 2.30 (32 Bit QD)
Display Manager: Not Present
Bit Depth: 1
Maximum Depth: 1
Primary Screen Size: 512 x 342
Screen Resolution: 72 X 72
Outline Fonts Support: Present
Stereo Output: Not Present
Stereo Input: Not Present
Sixteen Bit Sound I/O: Not Present
Speech ManagerNot Present
Version Information
System Version: 7.1.0
Finder Version: B1-7.1
A/UX Version: Not Present
QuickTime Version: Not Loaded
AppleTalk Version: Not Loaded
Time Manager: Version 3 (Extended)
Text Edit: Version 5
Comm. Toolbox: 7.1.0
Script Manager: 7.1.0
Miscellaneous Information
Alias Manager: Present
Apple Events: Present
Scripting Support: Not Present
Scriptable Finder: Not Scriptable
Help Manager: Present
Easy Access: Not Present
CloseView: Not Present
Power Manager: Not Present
CPU: 0.253
Graphics: 0.151
Disk: 1.218 Name of Hard Disk tested: Macintosh HD
Math: 0.798
Performance Rating:
KWhetstones: 48.722 0.165
Dhrystones: 2037.330 0.117
Towers: 0.121
QuickSort: 0.224
Bubble Sort: 0.250
Queens: 0.223
Puzzle: 0.244
Permutations: 0.209
Integer Matrix Multiply: 0.225
Sieve: 0.280
Benchmark Average: 0.206
No FPU present. No tests were run.
Black & White: 0.174
4 Colors: 0.000
16 Colors: 0.000
256 Colors: 0.000
32,767 Colors: 0.000
Color Test Average: 0.174
4 MIPS
Martin Wilson 4WL