Vision Pro II under OS 8.1 Well, I installed OS 8.1 on the PTP 180 and reran the tests with the Vision Pro II's latest drivers (the fastest ones I saw during the review). I also installed Speed doubler 8.1, and even turned off the keyboard macros to give as much time to the CPU as possible. Tests in MacBench at 1024x768, thousands colors, (Graphics and Lo-Res Pub tests) showed speed the same , in fact a hair slower and ditto for the hi-res tests at 1152x870, millions colors (3 to 4% slower in both tests). Walker and RaveBench tests were also run and showed showed zero improvement, in fact one test in RaveBench showed a very tiny decrease, within the variation of the tests though (I ran the test twice and graphed the best of the two runs).

So the claim of "major 2d Quickdraw changes" in OS 8.1 were proven false. I ensured that the same extensions were active (I turned off appletalk, ethernet, speech, etc.). I want to thank the person that posted the message for getting me to do this, as it made me stop putting off the upgrade!

I'll be posting graphs of the results in the review tomorrow. Bottom line is that OS 7.6.1 was actually very slightly faster with the card and drivers in the same machine as OS 8.1 was. I actually expected a little increase, but performance was practically identical. [ 7:30 pm update ]

ATI drivers boost G3 Scores! Rob Lauer wrote that he tried the new drivers and saw a boost in his G3. I was told by ATI they were not for the G3's - but maybe that's a licensing issue - as Rob shows a boost here using them:

" Mike,
I just wanted to forward you my results before and after installing the new version 3.1 ATI drivers on my G3/266 minitower:

MacBench 4.0 Scores:
Graphics Score (MacOS 8.1 ATI Drivers): 591
Graphics Score (ATI Drivers v. 3.1): 620

I can't say that I notice too much of a difference with graphics applications such as Photoshop or games such as Quake. But hey...at least I think it feels faster!"

Thanks Rob for letting us know! [ 6:30 pm update ]

Validity defined: A MacTell Vision 3D Pro II owner posted a forum message "questioning the validity" of my review. He said he understood why I used OS 7.6.1, ( I ran the identical OS and Mac with other cards used for comparion - so the comparisons would be valid) but went on to cite major OS 8 changes, Quicktime 3.0 (which was beta until today), etc. as reasons why the review was not accurate or "valid". I fully agree that different OS versions, systems, etc. will return different results - that's common sense. But to say the review is not "valid" because it used the identical system, CPU, OS and Extensions as was used with the comparison cards is pure nonsense.

I'm sorry if the results are different than he wanted to see, or that his system (type, speed, etc. were not specified) and card delivers under a different OS, but the tests are valid, as valid as humanly possible. I worked very hard on that review, and it's 100% honest. I even spent another day retesting 4 different drivers to make sure I was using the latest and overall fastest version available. I didn't have access to his 5.10 version however (it's not on MacTell's or Formac's site). I did test every version I was sent - and even went to Formac's site to get the latest they had available (dated just a day or so before the test). As stated in the review, I tested ver. 5.0.2, 5.1.1, 5.1.2, and 5.1.2.1. I even went so far as to show the 2d scores on three of them to show how much better 5.1.2 was than previous versions.

I did everything humanly possible to make the test conditions as level as possible. Based on feedback that's been pretty obvious to everyone else. Since his setup is different his results cannot be compared to mine - that would invalidate the comparison. I'm installing OS 8.1 now to see if that makes the "huge differences" (with the same extension version?) in Quickdraw that he mentions. I'm well aware of the major improvements in memory speed, etc. in OS 8.1. I was putting it off for a few more video card reviews, but now I'll retest all the cards (Nexus GA, Ultimate Rez, etc.) and report the findings. Maybe the Vision Pro II will suddenly become twice as fast as the Nexus GA or Ultimate Rez, but I doubt it.

The uncompressed video results were odd, and were better with a different CDrom drive/extension (much better) but to be fair I used the same CDrom drive and extension used for the other tests. I ran that test 3 times with the same driver and again got the very low score - but I did not penalize the card for this as that format is not common in the real world. And for the common movie tests - the Vision outscored the other cards, so I'm not sure what the complaint is.

If I had run a different system and OS version for each card in the comparison, then viewers would be saying the tests were not fair - and you'd be right.

Just to set the record straight, the issue of scaling factors in Quicktime movies is that a exact 2X scale up will bypass hardware acceleration according to ATI and others, however the review tests used various scaling factors - in real world tests and Macbench. I know the scaling issue very well, as I ran into it with my ATI VR card almost a year ago. The custom Macbench test used a full screen (1152x870) upscale of a 320x240 movie, not a 2X scale.

Thanks for letting me vent here. This one really got my goat. [ 5:30 PM update ]

Apple Info Updates: The latest InfoAlley has a lot of new and updated info including:

• Apple Studio Display: Technical Specifications
• Apple Studio Display: Description
• Claris Software Updates posted to Apple Web Site
• Mac OS 8: System File Damage
• LaserWriter Driver 4.2.2 for Windows 95
• ColorSync 2.5: Read Me
• US Apple SW Updates: Available Online

Quicktime Pro 3.0 Apple has an upgrade called Quicktime 3.0 Pro, but it costs $29.99, with a 30 day money-back guarantee. For a list of features and to order online, see the Quicktime 3.0 Pro Upgrade page. The standard version of Quicktime 3.0 is available free of charge at: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/index.html [ 1:00 PM update]

The site broke the million hit mark early this morning, and with the forum traffic the totals are closer to 1.3 million. Glad to see all the pages here are getting used, not just the news page. Now if the trackers only counted *all* page hits on the site instead of just the ones on the main (www.xlr8yourmac.com) page - I might break well into the top ten! [12:00 PM update]

Upgrades Pay Off: ZD/NET has a article on benefits of upgrading RAM and CPU on a PC, showing almost quick returns on investment (ROI). They also have a page on how to calculate ROI.

As I've stated here before, adding RAM is the first step in improving performance on your Mac as well. Before considering expensive upgrades, read my Performance Basics article (a copy of the feature article that I wrote for the Feb. issue of Apple Wizards' Ezine). Sometimes there is no substitute for a CPU upgrade, but do the basics first. The article has been added to the site contents page as well. [ 10:15 AM update ]

In response to an earlier post today, Greg Sims reported he is running a PowerCenter Pro with Speed Doubler 8.1 with no problems. He is using the stock Adaptec 2930 SCSI controller however, not the Initio Miles SCSI card. Not sure if that's a factor or if there is some other extension conflict in the other users system that is the cause of the problem. [9:30 AM update]

For 3D gaming news - check out http://www.tikkabik.com/3d/ - now if I could just get more time for these great Mac games. [9:30 AM update]

MacGurus has lowered pricing on EDO and FPM 64MB dimms to $119.99 each. [ 8:50 AM update]

Low Cost 9600/200 base: Chris Illes wrote that he'd found a Apple authorized dealer selling stripped (no ram or disk) 9600/200's at the lowest price I've seen:

Power Mac 9600/200 12xCD $1299 (Cash price - add 3% for credit card)- New
Power Mac 9600/200 0/0 12xCD w/Kb (N)

Use It Again MACS (SM)
The online division of:
Elite Computers & Software (SM)
10601 South De Anza Blvd., Suite 305
Cupertino, CA 95014
Phone: 408/257-8000 (M-F 9AM-7PM, SAT 11AM-6PM PST)
FAX: 408/257-8001 (24 Hours)
Pager: 408/699-4660 (7 Days A Week, 9AM-9PM PST)
E-mail: Sales@EliteComputers.com

Sounds like a great base system. Just wish they had a similar deal on a 9600/300.

Site Converts PC owner: It seems this site has convertered another PC user:

" I just wanted to tell you how much I love your site! I'm a PC owner who after years of should I/shouldn't I - am finally going to take the plunge over to the other side. You're g3 forum has been such a great resource in helping me decide what to buy. With the new g3 zone - it just gets better.

What ever motivates you to do what you do - THANX! And keep up the great work!
-nancy"

Now that made me feel really good.

266mhz Pentium II notebooks arrive: But performance seems underwhelming, only a 15-30% boost over the fastest 266mhz Pentium notebooks? Read about the loaded Gateway Solo in this ZD/NET review (a 14.1" screen and DVD drive would be nice). Loaded price was $4399.

Why I prefer MacOS to Win95: Here is what I wrote in response to a student asking for reasons why:

Karen Phillips wrote

>Mike,
> I am doing a report in college on the difference between
>Macintosh and IBM. I have used Mac for at least 5 years and love it, but
>if you have anything on the differences or why Mac is better I woould
>appreciate it if you would E-Mail me the information. I have to go by
>facts not opinions which is all that I have now Thanks for any help
>
>
>Karen Phillips

Karen,

I wish I had more time for this, but 6 hours a day of mail, site news, reviews, tests and a full time job result in 22 hour workdays and no personal life just to keep the site running.

Here are some things off the top of my head:

1) Simpler and more consistent user interface and shell.

2) Less hardware system component variations, and therefore less dependence on multi-vendor driver support. These mix and match drivers (video card, audio, scsi, etc.) are often the cause of problems in Windows 95.

3) Much easier installs of the OS and hardware/software upgrades in most cases. For instance, I can swap video cards (and often do for reviews) between several different cards in minutes, whereas in Windows 95 it would be far more difficult, with each card having specific DirectX drivers etc. To go back and forth on Win95 I'd spend much more time getting rid of old drivers and installing new ones (and the registry seems to never forget).

The MacOS video cards generally install a few extensions and a control panel, far less baggage than the many drivers, dll files, modifications to the win.ini and system.ini files, etc. I can easily make multiple extensions sets for each card on the mac. Win95's hardware configurations seem to offer that on the surface, but trying that for a video card for instance would not be nearly as clean and easy as the MacOS.

4) Easier troubleshooting. In part due to #2, the MacOS is generally easier to troubleshooot, as the OS uses far less individual files than Windows 95.

5) Applicaiton uninstalls are much easier on the Mac. They don't litter your entire drive with support files as do most Win95 apps which often put files in the windows, windowns/system and other directories. Often a new program will install a older/newer version of a support file that is common to other apps and the result is that a previous app no longer runs properly.

Hope this helps. there are more but I'm pressed for time.

Doug Godfrey has asked what Dual Channel SCSI cards work with the PowerForce G3 cards. The only dual channel card I have is the Adpatec 3940UW, which like all Adaptec cards does not work. I suspect the HammerStorage or ATTO dual channel cards might, but would appreciate any feedback from PowerForce owners who have run a dual channel SCSI card. Thanks!

One viewer reported having problems with Speed Doubler 8.1 on a PowerCenter Pro with a Initio Miles SCSI card installed. If there are any PowerCenter Pro owners out there that are running Speed Doubler 8.1 on a PCP, please contact me.

SiteLink Top 50 Web Site Poster: The winners are announced, and I'm surprised this site was 10th in the voting of all the Mac sites on the Web. For more information or to pre-order the poster and get $5 off, visit: http://www.sitelink.net/PosterContest.shtml. Thanks to those that voted for this site!

Office 98 Removal Util Updated: Somehow this post was deleted from yesterdays news, but Microsoft has an updated version at: http://www.microsoft.com/macoffice/productinfo/98dl/o98u.htm

Bill Fox of MacsOnly also has some comments on initial observations on installing and using Office 98 and a few bugs to report.

HDT Feedback: Guy Kuo wrote that he'd found out why he was having problems with disk corruptions using Hard Disk ToolKit 2.5:

" Mike, a little tidbit about how I finally got HDT 2.5 to work without constantly corrupting my hard drive.

After upgrading to HDT 2.5, my main hard drive (Quantum Fireball SE8.4S on internal SCSI chain of a PM 7600) began suffering frequent corruption of its B-tree and extents. The problem became so bad that I lost my main volume and had to reformat and restore from backup. The corruption kept happening again and again. Finally, I enabled the "Synchronize cache on system shutdown" in the Configure SCSI Driver dialog. The default setting for this drive is with it disabled, but enabling the synch on shutdown option has completely stopped my drive corruption problem. No corruption events have happened over the last three weeks as opposed to a corrupted b-tree after every three or so days of use."

Speaking of mode pages, ATTO has a good Tech Note on mode page settings for video capture.

Based on feedback the HDT 2.5.2 upgrade does not offer variable HFS+ block sizes.

I've updated the G3-ZONE with notes on compatibility problems with the Miro DC-20 Video capture cards and a solution to the startup audio clicking problem.

ZD/NET has a story on how Windows 98 will be the last appearance of DOS, at least from Microsoft's perspective. There are lots of users that think otherwise and have avoided the bloated replacements.

The linked article for details of the death of DOS seemed to only have info on NT5 and MS's coming "Chrome" Multimedia standard - which requires a 350 Mhz Pentium II and AGP video. Ready for another hardware upgrade?

Mail of the Weekend: After some horrible experiences with someone complaining about my using the "video cards" instead of "Graphics Cards", the following mail was a nice change of pace:

" No one has a site like yours anywhere on the Web -- except some of the gaming sites, maybe, but I don't go there (I'm not too much of a game addict)

No one seems to be having fun with the technology like you do -- no one seems to really appreciate everything the way you do. Everything you write exudes enthuasiasm and joy in life.
-Lorin Roche"

"Once again, thank you for your help. You are very receptive to the needs of all who frequent your site. You take excellent care of the site, and provide excellent support for the mac community. I appreciate the time you've taken to ALWAYS answer any question I've had... I'm sure there are many people who share these thoughts.
-David Diokno"

"Thanks for an excellent and informative website. Until I found your site I was combing back issues in the library and on the net to find 3d video board reviews, and the rare times I did find them they were mostly dedicated to wintel machines. Your site and links have really helped narrow the field.

You should do a special column for Macworld, Mike - they could sure use your expertise. We in the graphics community are grateful for your reviews.
-Scott Tucker"

"Your site has quickly become a daily visit for me. You should get PAID for this site! It makes any others look amateurish! (Hasn't Macworld offered you a job yet???)
-Devin Comiskey"

I'm still waiting on the call (I'll take a CUT in pay! ;-)

If you didn't get to check the site over the weekend, do so now. Saturday's news had info on my new RealPC Tips page, , VPC finder shutdown script, Quake II demo links, Apple 24x SCSI cdroms for $189, Mach 5 overclocking, and ATI Xpert@work PC cards in a Mac. Sunday's news had stories on AGP for PowerPCs, updates to the Vision 3D Pro II graphics card review, PC's without Windows, Windows 95 Gamers tips (for all you VPC2.0/RealPC users, Overclockers weather warnings, and a Adaptec converter hack.

More news at noon.

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