Brief History of Apple Computers

Brief History of Apple Macintosh

The first Macintosh was the 128 K released first in 1984. Macintosh was first affordable computer to include a GUI (Graphical User Interface). It was built around the Motorola 6800 chip which was significantly faster than previous processors. It came in a small case with a black and white monitor built- in. It even came with a mouse and keyboard. Big progress from the Apple I which came out in 1976 which included only the circuit board, but here's the real kicker you had to build your own case. Wow!

Macintosh has made a lot of progress over the past two decades with updated releases in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 91, 92 etc.. And more current day 2003 with the iMac G4.

Brief History of Microsoft Windows

On November 10, 1983 Microsoft Windows, an extension of MS DOS was born and sold for $100.00. It is a graphical operating environment for PC users. The GUI era at Microsoft begins. The first widely popular version of Windows released in 1990 was 3.0 and also the first version that many home PC users have ever tried.

Just like Macintosh over the years they upgraded and graduated until closer to current day October 25, 2001. Windows XP.

Macintosh and Windows PC's

There is some difference between Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows but there is some things that are the same. The tasks on both systems are easy to use, whether it is e-mail, surfing the web, playing music or typing a paper. Even with different Operating Systems, Windows and Mac, both are fairly easy to learn how to use. Each uses a graphical interface that both look similar with folders with icons and arrows that are manipulated by a mouse.

The Difference

The big difference is in the way both are manufactured, besides from the Operating System. When you buy a Windows-PC, you're buying a system from a whole bunch of different manufacturers. Intel or some other company might provide the processor; others will provide the hard drive, memory or monitor, while just the operating system is provided by Microsoft. The whole package is then put together and sold by a company such as Dell. Apple uses a different method, instead of different companies piecing their equipment together to make a whole unit; Apple provides the whole package both the hardware and the software.

There are pros and cons to both sides in almost any situation and the same goes for Macintosh and Windows.

Pros for the Pc

o PC's are often less expensive to purchase and upgrade.

o PC systems with Windows NT/2000 have become the animator's system of choice.

o PC need less RAM

o PC systems provide more options for troubleshooting and fixing if something goes wrong

o PC systems offer more configurations options, add-ons and extras.

o Most multimedia is produced to run on the PC, but only because there are more PCs.

o PCs also do a great job in video. Video Editing software titles as well as 2 and 3D programs are now available for both.

o There are some terrific 3D programs like trueSpace, 3D Studio Max, Softimage, that are not available for the Mac. But almost everything else