On Dec 7, 2003, at 02:42 am, Charles Martin wrote:
Secondly, I remind the readers of this list that we are missing the POINT by obsessing on whether the G5 is faster in every single possible test or not -- really we're getting to be no better than those shallow, GHz-obsessed PC losers we make fun of!
I wouldn't use such general terms. I seem to remember back a few days a few of us stated we simply don't care about benchmarks, but, like you, about the quality of the overall user experience. The fact that a lot of others simply haven't contributed to this conference suggests the topic provides little interest for them also perhaps?
It doesn't make a WHIT of difference if the Athlon can do SOME tasks a MITE faster than the G5. It still can't run Mac OS X, thus making me more productive and satisfied
Quite. I feel just the same. I also felt the same about the G4 (hence why I bothered to buy an iMac that was <GASP> only 800MHz less than 6 months ago despite owning a 2.2GHz PC). The only reason I bought it was that my G3/400 was getting a bit long in the tooth for running OSX. The iMac gave me the speed boost I needed to stay productive.
and it's still vulnerable to viruses and security problems galore, which means Mac users are still WAY more efficient.
Vulnerability to security is in no way a function of what CPU you run. If the Mac ran Windows (GOD forbid) then it also would have the same issues, indeed I would urge anyone running Virtual PC linked to the internet on a Mac to remember that very fact. Similarly running a Linux/BSD based OS (which OS X is, remember) on an Athlon64 will result in greatly increased security (as long as the user can set it up and it's much easier these days), even if it's still far from the productivity of the Mac.
Also vulnerability to virus infection is partly a function of user ignorance/naivety. I know even with Firewalls and AV programs and Pop-Up Stoppers and the rest it's still less secure, and really the blame lies firmly with the nut-cases who designed Windows, but hey. I also know in 14 years I've never had a virus on my PC (touch wood) and have also never been plagued by stupid ad-ware and scum-ware (which my people manage to snag rather a lot of at work).
Along with the Mac's natural advantages, this puts ANY pc on the planet completely out of contention for everything but gaming and the most basic services IMHO. As I always say, "a $2,000 PC with a virus is a $2,000 doorstop."
A $2000 PC with an Anti-Virus program and Firewall might not be such a dead weight. Come to think of it a $2000 G5 with a virus is a $2000 doorstep too. It's just statistically unlikely to happen, but it *could*.
The point of the G5 is that it puts us right up shoulder-to-shoulder with the fastest PCs out there PLUS we enjoy the many benefits of our superior OS without all the DISadvantages that PC users must suffer.
What the G5 actually gives us is a CPU that offers 64-bit technology for the future of the Mac, complete backwards compatibility with existing 32-bit applications (anyone know if they still run 68k stuff??) at twice the speed, and with the best and most advanced consumer or light server OS in the world toady. Did that or dod that not sound like something from an Apple publicity speech? Yes. And that's because it's All True. Notice I nowhere compared it to a PC?
Ever been on hold for PC tech support during the holiday season? Now THAT'S a hell I can live without -- and have ever since I switched 15 years ago.
One of the disadvantages of owning a Mac is, in some people's experience (not mine I have to add) the support hasn't quite been up to scratch.
What's more, the G5 plans to ramp up it's speed some 50% in the next 6-9 months, with further speed increases beyond that. I've heard nothing from the PC camp that indicates that they will be able to keep up with that pace.
That's presuming the PC market is going to stand still land let it get it's ass whipped by Apple. That's never happened up until today and I doubt it will happen anytime soon either. The PC has always moved forward with great pace.
No I believe what will truly be the test of PC metal is that AMD and Intel's competing 64-bit CPUs are not longer cross compatible (at least not at a 64-bit level). The PC Compatible is gonna die a pretty short death in other words. As soon as PC users go 64-bit and start to pick up 64-bit software there is gonna be a rip the size of the Grand Canyon up the middle of the PC market. Why? Because although both will run Windows, programmers from some other companies will not bother to go to the extensive efforts to re-write stuff for the 'other side', just like they don't for the Mac. Where that division takes them, and wether it has a major or minor impact will all 'come out in the wash' as the saying goes. I have a feeling the wrangling that this division causes will give the G5 a critical advantage when the time comes. Lets hope Apple realised too...
-- Mark Benson
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