lyle@netcom.UUCP (Lyle Fong) (05/05/90)
There has been so much criticism over the IIgs. People say it is a crappy computer, some say it is the best. I have a hard time to believe, however, that most people say the IIgs is not good just because their peers think it sucks, and the reason they think it sucks is because they've never used it before. There is no way one can directly compare the IIgs with a Mac or IBM, as they are for entirely different purposes. BUT, the IIgs does stand up and above the others in many ways. The IIgs is not the fastest computer in the world, but it is fast enough for most applications. Since Mhz is not a viable way to compare two computer's speeds, it is not an issue. But a IIgs with it's stock 2.8 mhz, is faster than most TURBO XT's, and the same as many Stock ATs. It is also faster than a Mac Plus, and in ways, comparable to a Mac SE. -- That is WITHOUT a Transwarp, which has become more of a standard now in the past year. The graphics on the IIgs are also not exactly the BEST, but it is very good, and good enough for most people in this computing world. (4096 colors, up to 640 x 200 resolution) Though VGA, and many Mac II's with color are better, most people can't really tell the difference, nor NEED the extra resolution or colors. The sound on the IIgs is among the BEST in the PC industry, capable of playing 15 sounds simultaneously with Orchestraic quality. It is better than most stock Macs, and better than IBM's even with AdLib sound cards on them. And most importantly, the IIgs's usage. The IIgs is a FUN computer, has an excellent user-interface, and has many features that is not on the other 2 computers. It has a SHELL built in, (Similar to MS-DOS) so it has the best of the MS-DOS world. It has a built-in NATIVE toolbox for GUI (Graphics User Interface), having the best of the Mac world. Macs don't have a native shell, and PCs (referring to IBM PCs in this case) don't have a native mode GUI. Having the best of the computer worlds, why, then, is there so much criticism on this potentially good computer? That question and problem could partly be blamed on Apple, whom does not fully support their Apple II line, which brought them to their existence in the first place! They pay most of their attention to their beloved Macs, and once in a while, throw a few minor things out for the Apple IIs to ease up the tension from Apple II fans. It could also be blamed partially on software pirates, who are continuously giving out free copies of commercial software. The IIgs has a small enough software base as it is, and the pirates discouraging these companies to continue producing IIgs programs is not helping. Lastly, the IIgs is up against 2 very large worlds of computing. There is not much room left for new computers. Macs and IBMs are virtually dominating the industry. A small computer like the IIgs has no room to fit in. It doesn't help one bit that the IIgs has it's own completely different operating system, isolating it from the rest of the Apple IIs. The hardware is very outdated, and could use a lot of improvement on Apple's part. All these factors contribute to the IIgs's current reputation. But considering all that, the IIgs has the potential to be the best computer around. It is the most fun to use, is very friendly, yet easily modifiable, and is very powerful. I own a 386 with VGA and the works, and a lower-end Mac. But in my point of view, my IIgs is better than both of them. Not necessarily more POWERFUL, but more fun AND at the same time, productive, user-friendly, AND having the power to do things that I need done. I really hope that one day, Apple will wake up and start vigorously supporting the Apple II.. but as we all know.. it is, and probably always will be.. a dream. Lyle @ netcom.UUCP If you have any comments, etc.. please feel free to leave me e-mail.