June 2023 – No Better Tech

IBM Compatible vs Mac Clones; The nostalgic era of legal Mac Clones Computers, the era without the Apple Computer monopoly; This has been just a few years before the turn of the century, between 1995-1999

It was, the magazine PC-KYPRIAKO a Cyprus 🇨🇾 magazine for computers in Greek I started to read at the age of 14 years old from 1989-1990… learned my first computer experience, but without a PC, only by reading this Journal. Later in 1992, I got my first PC, an IBM-compatible MS-DOS Computer, 80386/i386, I think without a mouse!!! (since MS-DOS OS and Not MS-Windows OS). Two years later I upgraded the RAM & the OS to Windows 3.1 and started on Windows Office and Draw Apps like Word, Excel, and CorelDraw. I got a ballpoint mouse too.

In the mid-1990s, the personal computer market was dominated by IBM-compatible machines, but there was also a small but thriving market for Macintosh clones. These were computers that were legally licensed to run Apple’s operating system, from 1995+ but were made by third-party manufacturers instead of Apple itself. This was a unique period in the history of personal computing, and it’s worth taking a closer look at how it all came about.

In the early days of personal computing, Apple was one of the most innovative and successful companies in the industry. The original Macintosh, released in 1984, was a groundbreaking machine that set the standard for user-friendly graphical user interfaces. However, despite its initial success, Apple soon found itself struggling to compete with the much larger IBM-compatible market. By the early 1990s, Macintosh sales had stagnated, and the company was in danger of being marginalized.

To boost sales and increase market share, Apple decided to license its operating system to third-party manufacturers. This was a bold move, as it meant giving up some control over the hardware and software ecosystem that had made Apple successful in the first place. However, the hope was that by expanding the market for Macintosh-compatible machines, Apple could regain its position as a major player in the personal computing world.

The first company to take advantage of Apple’s licensing program was a company called Power Computing, which released its first Macintosh clone in 1995. The Power Macintosh line of computers was a huge success, offering consumers a wider range of choices at lower prices than Apple’s machines. Other companies soon followed suit, including UMAX, Motorola, and DayStar Digital.

At the time, many people thought that the Mac clone market was the future of personal computing. Apple’s market share was still relatively small, and the clones seemed like a viable way to expand the Macintosh ecosystem. However, things didn’t quite work out that way. Although the clones were popular among consumers, they were not successful enough to bring Apple back to dominance. They may have hurt the company more than they helped it.

One of the biggest problems with the Mac clone market was that it created a fragmented hardware and software ecosystem. Because there were so many different manufacturers making different types of Macintosh-compatible machines, software developers had a hard time creating software that would work reliably across all of them. This meant that the Macintosh ecosystem became much less attractive to developers, who were already more focused on the larger IBM-compatible market.

Another problem was that the Mac clones were often seen as inferior to Apple’s machines. Although they were cheaper, they were also less reliable and less well-designed. This meant that even Mac users often preferred to stick with Apple’s machines, rather than switch to a clone.

In the end, the Mac clone market was short-lived. By the late 1990s, Apple had regained some of its momentum with the release of the iMac and other popular machines. At the same time, the market for IBM-compatible machines was starting to shrink, as consumers began to shift their focus to newer devices like smartphones and tablets.

Looking back on this era, it’s clear that the Mac clone market was an interesting experiment in the history of personal computing. Although it didn’t succeed, it showed that there was a demand for a wider range of hardware options in the Macintosh ecosystem. And who knows – if things had gone differently, we might be living in a world today where Mac clones are just as common as IBM-compatible machines.

MacOS Alternatives in History & Now:

Mac Clones Computers 🖥️ [1995 – 1999]

The hardware had Apple hardware Specifications and ran MacOS.

Mac Hackintosh Computers 🖥️ [200X – 2023]

Hardware has IBM/Windows Specifications (Not all hardware is compatible with this process*, you have e.g. built a PC in the case with compatible parts like Intel processor, etc. AMD usually does not work) but runs MacOS.

MacOS VMs on MacOS using VMware, VirtualBox, or Parallels** 🖥️ [200X – 2023]

Hardware Apple Mac, host MacOS, running Guest MacOS isolated OS.

MacOS VMs on Windows or Linux using VMware, or Virtual Box*** 🖥️ [2006 – 2023]

Hardware IBM/Windows, host Windows 10/11 OS, running Guest MacOS isolated OS.

————notes————

* You must do your research for hardware compatibility.

** You must get a good Mac, as VMs usually need additional hardware resources like RAM over +16GB and an Intel processor over +4 cores.

*** You must do your research again for hardware compatibility, and get a good PC, as VMs usually need additional hardware resources like RAM over +16GB and an Intel processor over +4 cores.

————links————

The Macintosh Clones

https://everymac.com/systems/mac-clones/index-mac-clones.html

https://hackintosh.com/

Virtualization on a Mac (Apple.com)

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/macos-windows-10-virtual-machine/

These Linux Distributions Come with the Most Preinstalled Apps and Tools

Best 4 Distros: Ubuntu Studio OS, Edubuntu OS, Zorin Education OS, Kali Linux OS

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Special 4 Linux Distributions

Surveying textbooks 4th part

https://www.edubuntu.org/#download

https://zorin.com/os/education/download/

https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-platforms

https://ubuntustudio.org/download/

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Introduction:

When it comes to choosing a Linux distribution, users often look for a system that suits their needs right out of the box. One of the key factors influencing this decision is the availability of preinstalled apps and tools that enhance productivity and cater to specific requirements. In this article, we will explore four Linux distributions known for offering a rich selection of preinstalled applications and tools: Ubuntu Studio, Edubuntu, Zorin Education, and Kali Linux. Let’s dive in and discover what these distributions have to offer.

Ubuntu Studio:

Ubuntu Studio is an official flavor of Ubuntu designed for multimedia content creation. It is tailored to meet the needs of audio, video, and graphics professionals. Ubuntu Studio comes with a plethora of preinstalled apps and tools that make it a go-to distribution for creative individuals. Some notable applications included are Ardour (digital audio workstation), GIMP (image editing), Inkscape (vector graphics editor), and Blender (3D animation). Additionally, it comes with a wide range of audio plugins, synthesizers, and effects to enhance the audio production capabilities of the system.

Edubuntu:

Edubuntu is an educational Linux distribution built on top of Ubuntu. It is specifically developed for educators and students, providing a rich assortment of educational applications and tools. With Edubuntu, you can transform your computer into an interactive learning environment. The distribution includes software like GCompris (educational activities suite), KGeography (geography learning tool), Tux Paint (drawing program for kids), and Stellarium (planetarium software). Edubuntu also features tools that facilitate classroom management and network administration, making it a comprehensive solution for educational institutions.

Zorin Education:

Zorin Education is a specialized edition of Zorin OS, which aims to provide a user-friendly computing experience, particularly for students and teachers. It comes with an extensive range of educational apps and tools suitable for different age groups and subjects. The preinstalled software includes applications like GCompris, Tux Math, Tux Typing, and Marble (educational geography software). Zorin Education also offers access to a wide variety of educational resources and online platforms to aid the learning process.

Kali Linux:

Kali Linux is a Debian-based distribution known for its focus on advanced penetration testing and cybersecurity. Security professionals, ethical hackers, and digital forensic analysts widely use it. Kali Linux comes with an impressive collection of preinstalled tools for penetration testing, network analysis, and vulnerability assessment. Tools such as Metasploit, Wireshark, Nmap, and Burp Suite are included, enabling users to conduct comprehensive security audits and tests. While Kali Linux is primarily targeted toward professionals in the field, it offers a valuable learning platform for anyone interested in cybersecurity.

Conclusion:

Choosing a Linux distribution with an extensive range of preinstalled apps and tools can save users time and effort, allowing them to dive right into their work or area of interest. Ubuntu Studio, Edubuntu, Zorin Education, and Kali Linux stand out among the many distributions available due to their focus on providing a comprehensive set of software tailored to specific needs. Whether you are a multimedia creator, an educator, a student, or a cybersecurity enthusiast, these distributions offer a solid foundation to support your endeavors. Explore these Linux distributions and unlock their potential to take your productivity to new heights.

The advantage of getting hardware & software from the same manufacturer

Like Apple Mac Computer & macOS or Microsoft PC & Microsoft Windows OS…

Note – This is a condensed version of https://leonidassavvides.com/blog/2023/06/28/the-advantage-of-getting-hardware-os-software-from-the-same-manufacturer/

In today’s world, technology has become an integral part of our lives. From smartphones to laptops, we rely on technology to perform our daily tasks. When it comes to purchasing a computer, there are two options available: buying hardware and software from the same manufacturer or buying them from diverse sources. While both options have their advantages, there are several benefits to getting hardware and software from the same manufacturer.

One of the most significant advantages of getting hardware and software from the same manufacturer is compatibility. When you purchase a computer from a manufacturer, you can be sure that the hardware and software are designed to work seamlessly together. This means that you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues or spend time troubleshooting problems. For example, Apple’s Mac computers and MacOS are designed to work together, providing a smooth and seamless user experience.

Another advantage of getting hardware and software from the same manufacturer is support. When you purchase a computer from a manufacturer, you can expect to receive support for both the hardware and software. This means that if you encounter any issues, you can contact the manufacturer’s support team for assistance. This can save you time and money, as you won’t have to hire a third-party technician to fix any problems.

Getting hardware and software from the same manufacturer can also provide better security. Manufacturers often release updates and patches to fix security vulnerabilities in their software. When you purchase hardware and software from the same manufacturer, you can be sure that you will receive these updates in a timely manner. This can help protect your computer from malware and other security threats.

Finally, getting hardware and software from the same manufacturer can provide a better user experience. Manufacturers often design their hardware and software to work together seamlessly, providing a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls. This can make it easier for you to perform your daily tasks and increase your productivity.

In conclusion, there are several advantages to getting hardware and software from the same manufacturer. From compatibility to support to security and user experience, purchasing a computer from a manufacturer can provide a seamless and hassle-free experience. Whether you choose Apple’s Mac computers/MacOS or Microsoft’s PC/Windows OS, getting hardware and software from the same manufacturer can provide a significant advantage.