Real Reasons to Upgrade

- 2001.12.10

We are reaching a time when computers from two or three years ago can do exactly what brand new computers can do, only a bit more slowly. While an older G3 or a high-end 604e may not be quite as fast, they can do what many people want to do on new iMacs and G4s. What many people forget is that G4s were out in 1999, and the G3 came out in late 1997.

Most of the programs people use will run on an older Power Mac. Microsoft Office, which is the most popular productivity suite, doesn't need more than a PowerPC with 16 MB of RAM. AppleWorks 6 runs on any Power Mac with 24 MB of RAM and OS 8.1. AOL Instant Messenger will run on any Power Mac. Photoshop 6 needs a PowerPC with OS 8.6. (Even PC users are seeing this - a 400 MHz PC from 1999 will do what most users are doing with their 1.5 GHz Pentium 4s. The most common PC applications will run on the 400 MHz PC.)

Is there no reason to buy a new computer? For many people, no. Since we've already determined that you can run modern software on your three-year-old Mac, what will get people to buy a new computer?

Processor speed isn't as big a factor as it used to be. People need a real reason to upgrade. If your 233 MHz G3 running OS 8.6 and Office 98 is fine, you have no complaints.

What people need is a demonstration of what a newer model will do for them. They need helpful features that will save them time and give them more satisfaction in what they do on their computer.

Many people don't know about the new PowerPoint QuickTime movie format in PowerPoint X. They also don't know about Excel X's translucent charts.

Many people couldn't care less, especially if they are comfortable with what they have. You've lived without all of these things for as long as you can remember. Office X will require an upgrade to OS X, but OS 8 works fine for you. However, iTunes might be worth a free download....

Maybe the "reason" needs to be introduced. Time for higher software requirements, perhaps....

• iTunes. Wonderful program. Requires OS 9.
• iTools. Perfectly compatible with OS 8, but Apple decided to make it require 9. Excellent reason to upgrade.
• iPod. Incredibly cool device. Requires OS 9 and a FireWire port.

There are hacks that let you use some of these with older versions of the Mac OS, but by adding these artificial software requirements, Apple has provided a reason for people to upgrade their hardware, or at least their operating system. In order to run OS 9 (so you can run iTunes), you may need to upgrade your RAM. I am sure that there will be some users buying a new iMac or iBook just so that they can take advantage of the iPod.

What might have happened if Apple had allowed iTunes to run on any Mac with OS 8 or higher? Well, I would know a lot more people still running 8.6, and Apple would have lost a lot of OS 9 sales. But I would also know more people who complain less about their systems, who can actually say that their three-year-old Mac feels fast.

What's next in this list of reasons to upgrade? Perhaps setting the system requirements for the next version of the Mac OS so that it would only run on the newest Macs? Forcing users to buy a new Mac if they want to use the latest version, even if they have a reasonably current model of Mac already?

The fact is, Macs last for ages. A IIci is sitting next to me running software from 1999; the IIci came out in 1989. I also have an 8100/80 upgraded to a G3 sitting next to me. It runs very quickly, and someone with such a machine may decide that it does the job and not even think of upgrading again. There are plenty of Mac LC 580s still in use at schools. Many people use 7300s and 7600s for real work. A number even use 6100s. People are hanging on to their early beige G3s because of their excellent case design for upgrading and perfect usability with modern software.

The "reasons" for new hardware are being created by software. Programs require newer OS versions. Newer OS versions require newer processors and more RAM. Those require the user to spend money on upgrades or a new computer. The upgrade cycle continues - leaving behind, along with the Mac IIfx and Quadra 840av, the real reasons to upgrade.