Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!sas From: sas@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu (Scott Sutherland) Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops Subject: Re: Macintosh Portable Summary: Buy one, you'll like it. Keywords: Apple, Macintosh, Portable, laptop Message-ID: <75725@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu> Date: 16 Jan 90 15:47:41 GMT References: <1394@milton.acs.washington.edu> Reply-To: Scott Sutherland Organization: Ohio State University Computer and Information Science Lines: 66 In article <1394@milton.acs.washington.edu> mrich@milton.acs.washington.edu (Michael Richardson) writes: >Has anyone out there had much experience yet with the new >Macintosh Portable? How does the reality compare with the >ad/media hype so far? I've had a Mac Portable for about a month now and I have been quite pleased with it. I would recommend it highly. Here are the main things I like and dislike about this machine. First the DISLIKES - Apple should not even bother selling it with just one meg of RAM. I say this for several reasons: they include a great built-in ram disk which is controlled from the control panel and the use of which extends battery life greatly, but with only one meg of RAM, who can spare some for a ram disk? Secondly, to be realistic, more and more of the available software just is not happy running in 1 meg and you can forget about running MultiFinder without at LEAST 2 meg. To compound matters, the 1 meg upgrade from Apple is expensive even at university prices, and mine is backordered until 'spring'. So I thought, 'OK I can probably get it cheaper from a 3rd party anyway, right?' WRONG. The only 3rd party vendor I've found so far sells a 2 meg upgrade for about $1,600 and $1,300 for each additional 2 meg (choke, gasp, wheeeze). I'm sure these prices will come down as more suppliers appear, but that leaves me with one meg of RAM for now. - My only other major complaint is that it is a bit on the heavy side. It certainly is 'portable,' but there's a GOOD reason why it's not called a 'lap-top.' Without the hard disk it would be a couple of pounds lighter, but I don't consider the HD an option. Now the things I really like: - It is very compatable. I figured that I would find alot of software that wouldn't run with the new machine, but I've had far fewer problems with the portable than I have with the IIci that's on my desk at work (and those problems have been few). - I am quite satisfied with the speed of the mac Portable. I was concerned when I heard that the Portable was to be a 68000-based machine - I didn't want an expensive Mac Plus in a new box. But at 15.7 MHz, it is quick enough that it does not seem slow even after I've spent the day using the IIci at work. - The screen refresh speed is amazing! No smudge as I move the cursor or scroll text. I have not yet found any animation that makes it look like a typical LCD screen. - I get a full 8 hours of use out of the battery and it charges fully in about 2 hours. If I need more than that, I swap the battery for a fresh one (without even having to quit my application) and I'm set for 8 more hours. It also gives me lots of warning before I'm out of power, and if I am wondering how much power is left, I can just fire up the battery desk accessory and check the guage. - I like the track ball in the keyboard. In fact, I've only used the mouse (that also comes with the machine) once, and that was to make sure it worked. - Finally, the thing I like most about this machine is that it is a Macintosh. :-) I say that partly in fun, but I really wouldn't like to go back to a command-line interface or to applications that bear little or no working resemblence to each other. I am also spending a tenth the time (or less) answering cries for help from my users, and that makes me very, very happy. --- *** The above opinions are all mine. I don't speak for OSU. *** Scott Sutherland sas@cis.ohio-state.edu Staff Software Developer The Ohio State University, Department of Dance