The Apple Macintosh

The Apple II, introduced in 1977, is still in wide use in homes and schools. It was also the first personal computer to gain widespread use in business because VisiCalc®, the first spreadsheet program, was written for it. Apple Computer is also the company that created the Macintosh. Steven Jobs conceived the idea for the Mac while visiting the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, a think tank and laboratory for extending the frontiers of technology. There he saw the Xerox Star, a computer with color graphics and a mouse that moved the cursor around the screen, touching graphic symbols to issue commands. It was Jobs' inspiration for the Lisa^® (1982) and then the successful Macintosh (1984). The Macintosh was designed with a closed architecture, like the IBM PS/2 computers, allowing Apple to maintain a strict degree of quality control over software and accessories developed by other companies.

Using the Macintosh

The Macintosh is one of the popular personal computers with Westinghouse employees at the Savannah River nuclear power plant in Aiken, South Carolina. Engineers use them for engineering design and drafting; knowledge workers use them for traditional word processing and spreadsheet analysis. These knowledge workers found two other interesting uses for the Macintosh. Since it lends itself to high-quality graphics, they began designing their own slides and overhead drawings for speeches and presentations. And since it has a variety of type fonts (styles), they began designing new office forms and redesigning old ones that needed updating. Not only did they end up with better forms, they saved a great deal in graphic design charges and printing costs.

Although there are three different types of personal computers commonly in use, there is a strong drive in business for connectivity, the ability to share data between machines of different types. Computer makers prefer to have customers buy all one brand — theirs — but certain types of machines are better suited to different tasks. In addition, different people prefer different types of computers. When many types are used throughout an office, connectivity becomes essential.

Now you know how DOS works with the personal computer to carry out your commands, as well as the basic operations of your personal computer. You can see how the software and hardware, working under your direction, comprise a computer system. Regardless of their size, all computers use the basic principles you've learned here.

Tomorrow Tips for Buying a Personal Computer

1.Conventional wisdom suggests you choose the application(s) you like and then buy the appropriate computer system. In many cases, there are compromises you must make between software and hardware; just try to make as few as possible. If you're like most people, you'll probably have to live with your system for quite a while. Make sure the applications you want to use will run on the personal computer you intend to buy. One way to do this is to obtain demonstration disks, when available. They can be ordered from the software company, but software stores often have a large stock of demo disks you can obtain for free or for just a few dollars.

2. Fill in the gaps in your knowledge about computers. Read magazines, periodicals, and specialty books on computers. The newsstands are filled with good magazines on PC-compatibles and Macintoshes. In addition, many larger bookstores have an entire section devoted to computer books. Look for magazines like Computer Shopper, which features articles on purchasing as well as a huge assortment of advertisements.

3. Talk to friends who own computers and solicit their opinions. A word of caution: Most personal computer owners are proud of their decision and their computer system, so you probably won't get unbiased information. For that reason, you might want to prepare a list of questions in advance that help you get the answers you seek.

4. Shop around. Personal computers are sold in retail computer stores, specialty stores, and electronics and appliance stores as well as by direct mail. Unless you are proficient with electronics, it's a good idea to avoid the "clones" with names you've never heard of. They often contain the least expensive parts and components, or require some assembly, and may not prove as reliable or easy to use as name brand machines. Several magazines now evaluate computers and make recommendations; check these brands first. Several mail order companies, such as Dell and Zeos, make very high quality computers and stand behind their products; look for their advertisements in most major computer magazines. In addition, mail order generally means more computer for less money than you'd pay retail.

5. Select your configuration with the future in mind. It's highly likely that you'll want to upgrade the RAM or the hard disk, or add certain peripherals; all these things can be accomplished without problems or penalties. However, it makes sense to buy a computer with a CPU, or microprocessor, that will serve you today and tomorrow as well. For that reason, buy as much CPU as you can afford. There are few things more chafing than having to use an underperforming computer.

6. Spend some time working with the computer. Make sure that you like the monitor and the keyboard, and that the CPU is fast enough to suit you.

7. Take notes; make a comparison chart. Be sure to record your impressions along with the price, features, and performance.

8. Think about service. What is the manufacturer's warranty? Where can you take the machine for service? Some retail stores don't service what they sell. Overall, remember that if a computer breaks down, it is most likely to do so in the first 30 days or less. During this period, in most cases, you can return it for a full exchange. Therefore, don't allow service to be a dominant factor in choosing a particular retailer or computer.

9. Don't let a salesperson snow you with jargon. Every time you hear a term you don't understand, ask for an explanation. If it isn't forthcoming, shop elsewhere.

10. Ask about setup, training, and support. If you buy from a computer store or mail order, your computer should arrive with the software installed, ready to use. Some may try to charge for this service, but they should not; they make it back in their software profit margins..