Macintosh Computers
A Revolutionary Trajectory

 

Paquetes Interactivos S.A. of C.V.

Ing. Pedro Baram K.
General Manager

With the presentation of new products such as Newton, Apple Computer's continues with its concern to develop a more intuitive interface for the user. The company that started the computer revolution that we are experiencing today and that simplified the way we use the computer, continues to be at the technological forefront, ensuring that the revolution continues.

The revolutionary trajectory began in the mid-1970s, when two young Californians decided to realize their golden dream in the garage of one of their homes: to build a computer for themselves. Previously, the cost of computers was so high that only educational institutions, the government or large private companies had access to them. Furthermore, the computers existing at that time were difficult to learn to use. The dream of Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs was to build a computer that was accessible to many people and that was, as they defined it, user-friendly.

In Santa Clara County in California, where they lived, large semiconductor and other electronic parts factories were installed where they began to obtain parts to manufacture a prototype. While Steve Jobs was putting together the elements, Steve Wozniak was writing the operating system for the computer based on an 8-bit processor. The prototype, despite its limitations, 8K of memory, connectable to a monitor that barely displayed 40 columns of characters (only capital letters), that only allowed the processing of integers and whose operating system was loaded from a connected tape deck. to the computer, it was presented to groups of users where it was given an extraordinary reception.

The two Steves quickly recognized the possibility of doing business and formed a company called Apple Computer's to mass manufacture these computers and market them. The first model that was manufactured was called Apple ][ and unlike the original prototype, they included more memory and a plastic box to cover the electronics and serve as a base for the monitor. The computer revolution had begun.

The market reacted and began to buy thousands of these computers. Apple Computer's began to grow rapidly and evolve its computer, leading it to have floating point processing, 128 K of RAM, a video card to display 80 columns of characters (upper and lower case) and 140 K floppy disks to load the operating system, the applications and user files.

The large computer companies existing in those days began to see the rapid growth of the micro computing market. They, having the technology to produce large volumes of microcomputers, had preferred not to do so because it did not suit their economic interests. It was much easier to sell and service a few computers that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars than to sell and service hundreds of thousands of computers that cost a few dollars. However, Apple had already started the computer revolution, and if they did not enter this market, Apple could take over it completely.

IBM launches a computer based on a 16-bit processor on the market, and in an effort to stop the rapid growth of Apple Computer's, it decides to allow other companies to copy its design to become a standard in the world of micro computing. IBM's design is more powerful than the Apple ][ and the latter is beginning to lose market share.

People at Apple are beginning to resent the entry of a giant like IBM into the market. Taking on IBM directly is like trying to repeat the biblical story of David against Goliath. It is at this moment when Steve Jobs remembers the foundations of his golden dream: a computer within the reach of many people and that was user-friendly. The first base had already been met; Apple, IBM and other manufacturers were bringing microcomputers to many people. The second, the concept of a friendly computer was barely being touched upon, since computer programs other than asking the user what their name is and greeting them using it, require the memorization of commands and their syntax, so that the computer can execute them.

In 1984 Apple Computers launched a new product on the market. He calls it Macintosh, which is one of the most prized types of apples in the United States. This computer, based on a 32-bit processor, commercially uses the first graphical interface in the history of microcomputing. The graphical interface simplifies communication between the user and the computer, transforming the concept of a user-friendly computer into a true ease of learning and operation. The second revolution in the universe of microcomputing begins.

Apple has significantly evolved its Macintosh computer. Today, there are various models that allow up to 16.7 million different colors to be displayed on the 21-inch high-resolution screen. The maximum installable memory is 64 MB, the disk capacity is practically unlimited and there is connectivity between them and other brands of micro computers as well as the vast majority of mini computers and main frames. The software allows the inclusion of different sources such as texts, graphics, sounds and now moving images.

IBM and Apple Computer's recently signed, among others, an agreement through which Apple will write the next operating system that will be used by both platforms. The operating system will use a graphical interface that is now recognized by everyone as the most effective way to use a computer.

With the presentation of new products such as Newton, Apple Computer's takes a step forward to develop a more intuitive interface for the user, and enters a new world that is the manufacturing of consumer products with a high degree of intelligence. Newton is able to recognize handwritten texts and commands, interpret parallelisms and symmetries in drawings made with a simple electronic pen. Communication between the user and the computer is further simplified. The functions available are very abundant, allowing the user to carry out complex tasks such as writing, drawing and sending faxes by selecting recipients from a database, all from a device that fits in the palm of the hand.

Perhaps the technology presented by Newton is a third revolution in the world of micro computing. Knowing the way Apple evolves its products, perhaps Newton will be able to evolve in the future to a more spatial mentality like Einstein's. Apple Computer's, the company that started the computer revolution that we are experiencing today and that simplified the way we use the computer, continues to be at the technological forefront, ensuring that the revolution continues.
 

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