Introduction
General Operation, Description, and Purpose
Macintosh computers were developed by another company apart from apple inc. Apple Inc is the widest computer manufacturer in the world and has made several computers in the recent past. However, a Mac was not made by apple inc. it was developed by other people but had to buy other software from Apple inc. this software was purchased together with rams as a whole computer. This whole computer provided the needed materials and the Mac computer was developed by a Brazilian company known as Unitron. The company used 512 MB of ram to make the clone. However, Apple Inc pressed the united states government to restrict the sale of the computer on grounds that it had merely copied from it and was not an original idea from the company (Hertzfeld, 78).
A parallel desktop was the first with software to bring virtual visualization to better operability and function ability of the Mac computers. It was developed by power Pac Macs in the late 1990s. It was first known as a parallels workstation but was later renamed to the parallel desktop for Mac. This was after the company and other stakeholders realized that it was been associated with Windows operating systems and other software that made it possible for the company to rule t that name. Over time different versions of the parallel desktop have been released to upgrade and make it more receptive to the market needs. Some of the versions include:
- Version 2.5: this supported several USB disks and was to accept even larger support of most of the features that were in line with the operating systems that were installed in the main computer. It enabled users of windows x abroad to upgrade to windows vista in line with other computer upgrades that were made (Hertzfeld, 89).
- Version 3.0: this was an improvement of the previous version and was made in the same year (2007) as the other version although it was better suited with several new features. Smart select was one of the features that came with this version. It enabled the user to open Mac OS X programs using windows files and also to do the reverse. Without opening windows a user would open windows operating files using a new feature that was called parallels explorer (Apple, 56).
- Version 4.0: this version released in the middle of 2008 was more efficient and effective than the rest. It increased the speeds associated with the previous version by over a half and 1/3 saving power more than the other version. It also came with other new features such as clips modality feature and sound capture item (Knight, 49).
- Version 5 and 6: these two came almost at the same time and greatly revolutionized the Mac and the desktop. It had greater support for greater mass storage in USB. It also had Linux features and it would be used for 3d video and viewing and also the more important shortcuts at the keyboard which were instrumental with windows operating systems.
After that initial process, apple Inc was able to develop its own Mac computer and was used with an Intel processor. The processor was developed in 2006 by Intel. This could now be used together with a parallel desktop which had high virtualization features. To enable its functionality to the highest level, the features of the parallel desktop were improved to make its reliability more improved and work correctly with the computer (Pogue and Joseph, 12).
Parts of Macintosh Computer
A Mac has several parts that make its operation possible. These parts include hardware and software parts. The hardware is the physically visible parts and includes:
Cpu- this is the main central processing unit of a computer. It is the computer. It is the main holder of the other software that makes operations possible.
Graphic user interface. This is the monitor which makes it possible for users to be a reality. The first Mac computer had a graphic user interface and the central processing unit (CPU) in the same compartment. It was commercially made possible by apple inc. in 1984 (Knight, 47).
The modern Mac computers are made with a virtual integration that makes it possible to have an operating system inbuilt by the manufacturer. Therefore all Mac computers are ready to be operated once released by a manufacturer. This is different from the other computers that are to be made and then operating systems bought to make them usable in the market. The problem with a Mac computer in the initial stages was the fact that it had very little memory space and even inputting memory was a disaster. That is, adding extra hardware such as the hard disk was hard. However, with time, there was an improvement in that department and it became apparent even when compared with other computers then. Therefore the company made every effort to have it improved and that was how other brands of the Mac were made. These bards include Mac classic and Mac lc 2.
The computer was later divided into parts that were different in the 1990s after the release of other competing brands that were relatively cheap. The brand of a Mac introduced then was called Mac lc and was relatively cheaper and had more distinct and able features than the other one. It had a separate central processing unit, separate monitor (visual interface) that was capable of relaying messages of the user on a screen. The memory of that brand was also quite improved and had better reserve and speeds were greatly improved (Knight, 45).
The brand could also accept other features such as printers, digital cameras, and flash disks. This enabled the exchange of information and was greatly instrumental in the internet development through information exchanges. The company further improved the brand by introducing the Mac power book in the early 1990s. This particular one was greatly portable as it compressed all the features into a single portable and small computer popularly known as the laptop. Its color combination was greatly improved and was of high quality in comparison with others. An improved version had internal stereos and music storage devices that brought a cooler side to the brand (Levy, 28).
Around that time, that is the middle of the 1990s, Microsoft had introduced the operating system Windows 95 and Intel processors. These two had the effect of radically reducing the market share of apple inc. this is because they were way cheap and more technological than apple products: PowerBooks and Mac lc. Its internal operating system was subject to review and the return of its CEO Steve jobs marked that phase in 1997. This was the time they introduced the ever-trendy hallmark of the 1990s: the I Mac. It was dark blue though later it was made into different colors. It was industrial since it did not even have an internal floppy disk drive. It only had a CD Rom drive to enable the installation of software. It was highly useful in the revolutionizing of industry success. Around that time also the company introduced the first-ever Mac laptop called PowerBooks G4 which had other subsequent brands similar to the first one.
Operating Description
A Mac computer has the hardware parts that make it easier to work using the software installation that has been installed. The initial Mac computer had an internal operating system that was installed by the manufacturer. However, with time the company had to embrace operating systems that were installed later to offer the customer value in the market that was quite competitive. The. An internal processor was also internally installed by the manufacturer (Levy, 28).
The hardware components include a mouse, which was to enable the user interface to be a success. The keyboard enables the input of data to the computer and also data output. Others included printers and flash disks among others. All the hardware components were very useful to the subsequent brands that followed the initial Mac computer which was without much of them. Printers were able to bring out very quality data in hard copy as opposed to the then typing machines that were rendered out of date. Other hardware and software items could be installed depending on the need of the user. For instance, it is unlikely that a company would need computer software completely similar to that of a personal computer (Kelby, 25).
The software was the main component of the computer. The original Mac was the first computer to successfully use the graphic user interface virtualization effect. It showed everything as icons and was devoid of a command line. With subsequent improvement came Mac OS X. this operating system was very strong and was in the market around the same time as windows operating systems. However, it was a bit stronger in that it was not affected by spyware and viruses common with the rest of the operating systems especially Windows operating systems. Initially, the booting process with a different operating system was quite taxing. With several improvements, the booting process was greatly improved. Usage of Intel processor which is manufactured by Microsoft is commonplace and the company has made it possible to internally make the computer less and less spacious by creating smaller and portable computers (Kelby, 23).
Summary
The operation of Macintosh computers with parallel desktops revolutionized the world of discovery of laptops and the parent company apple inc. made relatively significant steps towards the growth of the Macintosh computers brand. Over the years since it was first released in the 1980s, it has grown to an unrivaled position in the market that has seen its market seen its market share change from point to point. Its operation ability has improved over the years and now it has the best speeds ever and Macintosh was the first computer before been toppled by others in the market (Levy, 28).
Works Cited
Apple, Raskin. Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines. New York: Addison-Wesley Guidelines, 1992.
Hertzfeld, Andy. Revolution in the Valley. New York: Riley Books, 2004.
Kelby, Scott. Macintosh: The Naked Truth. New York: New Riders Press, 2002.
Knight, Dan. Macintosh History. Oxford: Oxford Press, 2005.
Levy, Steven. Insanely Great: The Life and Times of Macintosh, the Computer That Changed Everything. London: Penguin books, 2000.
Pogue, David and Joseph Schorr. Macworld Macintosh Secrets. San Mateo: IDG Books Worldwide, 1993.