Mac

COMP1260 > System Software

Introduction Macintosh (Mac) is the brand name of laptop and desktop computers produced by Apple Inc. Since its inception in 1984, the Mac has been positioned as a high-end alternative to PCs running Microsoft Windows. Though capable of running Windows since their switch to Intel processors in 2006, Macs are distinguished as the only computers capable of running Apple's operating system, MacOSX.

...by students If Computers Were Cars "If a Mac was likened to a car, it would most certainly be a Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes produces some of the fastest, sleekest, most desirable cars available. But they break down. A lot. My Macbook is no different. Since my hands first graced its sparkling white keyboard, I have been proud to associate myself with its glowing fruit silhouette, a symbol of hope in a wasteland of spyware-infected garbage. Seemingly minutes after its warranty expired, however, I began to question my reverence. Now, two years after its purchase, there are few components in my laptop that have not been replaced. But at least I'm hip. Thanks, Steve Jobs."

History

Two Macintosh Computers.

In January 1984, Apple introduced the Macintosh 128k, it's first use of the Mac moniker and the first commercially successful implementation of a graphical user interface. In spite of Apple's technological pioneering, Microsoft remained a formidable competitor. In 1990, Microsoft began selling Windows 3.0, an operating system that rivaled the features and performance of Apple's pricier offerings. Upon the release of Windows 95, Microsoft had established itself as the dominant vendor of operating system software, with Apple's Macintosh lagging far behind.

In 1998, Apple reached a turning point with the introduction of the iMac. An instant success, the translucent all-in-one computer won popularity among critics and consumers alike. Subsequent Macintosh offerings propagated the iMac's focus on aesthetic hardware design, a defining feature of Mac computers today.

In 2001, Mac OS X was released. A complete re-write of its predecessor, the UNIX-based operating system was widely considered to be far ahead of the contemporary Microsoft competition. As of late 2008, a derivative of Mac OS X is still shipped with new Macs.

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

Mac OS X is the Apple-produced operating system that is included with all Macintosh computers. The current iteration, OS X 10.5 "Leopard", is the fifth version of the OS since its introduction in 2001. OS X is Unix-based, a significant contributing factor to it's high system stability. Because of its historically small market share, Mac OS X has long been considered safe from the viruses that plague Windows machines. Security experts contend that this sense of security is unwarranted and OS X is in fact susceptible to many forms of attack.

The graphical user interface (GUI) of OS X is what most clearly differentiates it from Windows. In spite of using a windowing system similar to that of its Microsoft counterpart, OS X includes several design elements that are markedly different:

• Instead of a taskbar, OS X utilizes a dock to hold application icons and minimized programs.
• An application is treated independently of its various windows. Even when all windows are closed, the application continues to run until the user asks it to quit.
• The menu bar is fixed at the top of the display, and changes according to the application window that is currently in focus.
• The behaviour of the maximize button varies by application, and does not always cause the window to fill the entire screen.

Proponents of Mac OS X contend that it is more aesthetically pleasing, more usable, and more complete than Microsoft Windows. It includes several key features that are absent from its Microsoft counterpart:

• Spotlight - an indexed desktop search engine that is able to find results nearly instantly
• Expose - a function that automatically moves and scales windows to provide better access
• Time Machine - a backup system that allows users to revert to "snapshots" of their computer taken at timed intervals
• VNC and SSH - built-in services that allow remote file transfers and screen sharing without additional software.
• Front Row - a full-screen media browser that can be controlled by an Apple remote.
• Quick Look - a file viewer that displays audio, video, image, and text files without having to open their parent applications.

In spite of its broad feature set, the practicality of using OS X in the real world is often questioned. The ubiquity of Microsoft Windows can prove challenging for Mac users, as software development and file standards are targeted at a Windows environment. These compatibility issues have been significantly reduced in recent years through updates to OS X, and many Mac users also run Windows for use when a better solution isn't available.

Mac Hardware and Apple's Design Philosophy

Apple currently sells six product lines as part of its Macintosh brand. These consist of three desktop and three laptops: The Mac Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, Macbook Pro, Macbook, and Macbook Air.

Macintosh computers have long been known for their superior hardware designs and tight integration between hardware and software. Because Apple produces all computers that run its software, it is able to control every aspect of the Macintosh user experience. The designers of OS X can perfectly predict which hardware combinations the operating system will encounter. Similarly, computer hardware can be selected to complement the features and demands of the software it will run. As a result, Macintosh systems can implement features that require increased cooperation between hardware and software designers, such as the recently introduced multi-touch trackpad gestures in Macbook laptops.

In spite of its small market share, Apple has maintained its competitiveness by establishing itself as a luxury brand. Spec-for-spec, Macintosh computers are more expensive than the competition, a cost that is happily paid by the many consumers who appreciate the beautiful designs of their overpriced status symbols.

Apple Subculture: The Cool Factor

A Mac in its natural environment.

For years, the Mac vs PC debate has been the source of much contention. Mac enthusiasts scoff at the buggy software and bulky designs used by their PC-toting counterparts, while Windows users roll their eyes with the knowledge that they have saved hundreds of dollars on a faster, more compatible machine.

Traditionally, Macintosh dogmatism has been the exclusive domain of pretentious graphic designers. More recently, Macs have come to be associated with pretentious (pretension being a hallmark of the Apple brand) university students, namely so-called "hipsters". The trademark glow of partially eaten fruit is now an all-too-familiar sight at trendy coffee shops across metropolitan centres everywhere.

The perception of the Mac as a hipster's computer of choice has been propagated by Apple's own marketing efforts, as Justin Long's personification of Mac in a TV ad series contrasts Mac's cool intelligence with a lamesauce PC. Lately, Apple has been preaching the eco-friendliness of their products, a sure-fire way to get even more hipsters on board.

Previous Page: Windows

Next Page: Unix and Linux