Minimal Mac

Mark Pilgrim on The Setup →

But hey, you asked for my dream setup. That’s it: one computer for 20 years.

Gosh, I love The Setup. Though, once again, Mark is not a Mac guy, I love the conviction he holds in the things he believes in. I really, really admire it.

20 Years, huh? I don’t think this is an unreasonable expectation. I am currently typing this post using Word 5.1 on a Powerbook 1400c. Though I am not sure when this particular model was made (and yes, I am too lazy to look it up by the serial number) the model line was introduced in 1997. That means it is currently 13 years old. It does not show any signs of stopping either. Here is proof:

I mainly keep it in the basement on a shelf. I pull it out for those rare times someone will come to me with an old floppy disk that contains the sole copy of their college thesis and they wonder if I can rescue it. That said, I still enjoy it a great deal when I do. It has one of my favorite keyboards of all time. It makes a pleasant clickity-clak that reminds a writer of his industry and craft. I still think Word 5.1 was the best word processor ever made and it is these times I prove myself correct. Oh, how I miss using this machine daily. What is there to say I could not?

To be fair, I have given the machine a few upgrades, without which I am not sure I really could use it in my modern world without some deep compromises. For the purposes I use it for, I have installed a NewerTech G3/233 processor as well as maxed out the RAM at 48MB but with RAM Doubler (I am sure I am bringing back some memories for the old timers here) I am pushing it to 96MB. I also have a Lucent WaveLAN Silver WiFi PC card to connect to the wireless. Works like a charm.

That said, I have the machines and the software I use today because I really do need them. I need them for my job to support my clients. That said, if my life were different – if writing were my main gig for instance – I could easily do so with this setup. I mean, seriously, set me up with a Laserwriter 300 to be able to print off a manuscript and I would be in business. Cormack McCarthy uses a typewriter. Neal Stephenson writes 1800 page trilogies in long hand. They are no less industrious or prolific in their craft because of these “outdated” tools. My PB1400 setup is worlds away from (and some may argue ahead of) both.

This is really just a reason to remind myself of the purpose behind this little project I have here. It is to explore the idea of what really is “enough” for me, for you, for most. I am sure that, with proper care and feeding, I will be able to take out my current Mac, an almost 3 year old Macbook, from the basement 10 years from now and reminisce in the same way. I am sure it’s utility may be no less – despite the fact the world may have changed around it. It will likely be enough for me for a long time to come.

Posted February 3, 2010 at 4:33pm || home