Apple delineates its ecosystem: The Mac's new advantage vs. It's all about the Apple Ecosystem — as if elegant industrial design, an innovative operating system, and top-end hardware. Regardless of the Linux stride to gaming achievements, the software prowess of Mac OS makes it the better candidate. Text and Media Editors. If you are prone to using reputable business office suites, image editing applications, and other high-end media editors, then Mac OS is no doubt the operating system that you should choose.
Back when Ars Senior Products Editor Andrew Cunningham was forced to work in Mac OS 9 by his colleagues in September 2014, he quickly hit a productivity wall. He couldn't log in to his Ars e-mail or do much of anything online, which meant—as someone who writes about new technology for an online-only publication—he couldn't do his work. All Cunningham could do was play old games and marvel at the difference 15 years makes in operating system design.
But as hard as it may be to believe in light of yet another OS X macOS update, there are some who still use Apple's long-abandoned system. OS 9 diehards may hold on due to one important task they just can't replicate on a newer computer, or perhaps they simply prefer it as a daily driver. It only takes a quick trip to the world of subreddits and Facebook groups to verify these users exist.
Certain that they can't all be maniacs, I went searching for these people. I trawled forums and asked around, and I even spent more time with my own classic Macs. And to my surprise, I found that most of the people who cling staunchly to Mac OS 9 (or earlier) as a key component of their daily—or at least regular—workflow actually have good reason for doing so.
Why? Whhhhyyyyyy???
The reasons some Mac lovers stick with OS 9 are practically as numerous as Apple operating systems themselves. There are some OS 9 subscribers who hold out for cost reasons. Computers are prohibitively expensive where they live, and these people would also need to spend thousands on new software licenses and updated hardware (on top of the cost of a new Mac). But many more speak of a genuine preference for OS 9. These users stick around purely because they can and because they think classic Mac OS offers a more pleasant experience than OS X. Creatives in particular speak about some of OS 9's biggest technical shortcomings in favorable terms. They aren't in love with the way one app crashing would bring down an entire system, but rather the design elements that can unfortunately lead to that scenario often better suit creative work.
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I'm alluding here specifically to the way OS 9 handles multitasking. Starting at System 5, classic Mac OS used cooperative multitasking, which differs from the preemptive multitasking of modern Windows and OS X and Linux. With classic Mac OS multitasking, when you want to change apps it's up to the active program to relinquish control. This focuses the CPU on just one or two things, which means it's terrible for today's typical litany of active processes. As I write this sentence I have 16 apps open on my iMac, some of which are running multiple processes and threads, and that's in addition to background syncing on four cloud services.
By only allowing a couple of active programs, classic Mac OS streamlines your workflow to closer resemble the way people think (until endless notifications and frequent app switching cause our brains to rewire). In this sense, OS 9 is a kind of middle ground between modern distraction-heavy computing and going analog with pen and paper or typewriter.
These justifications represent just a few large Mac OS 9 user archetypes. What follows is the testimony of several classic Mac holdouts on how and why they—along with hundreds, perhaps thousands of people around the world—continue to burn the candle for the classic Macintosh operating system. And given some of the community-led developments this devotion has inspired, OS 9 might just tempt a few more would-be users back from the future.
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Programmatic hangers-on
Remembering how the comments on Cunningham's article were littered with stories of people who still make (or made, until only a short time beforehand) regular use of OS 9 for getting things done, I first posed the question on the Ars forums. Who regularly uses Mac OS 9 or earlier for work purposes? Reader Kefkafloyd said it's been rare among his customers over the past several years, but a few of them keep an OS 9 machine around because they need it for various bits of aging prepress software. Old versions of the better-known programs of this sort—Quark, PageMaker, FrameMaker—usually run in OS X's Classic mode (which itself was removed after 10.4 Tiger), though, so that slims down the pack of OS 9 holdouts in the publishing business even further.
Wudbaer's story of his workplace's dedication to an even older Mac OS version suggests there could be more classic Mac holdouts around the world than even the OS 9ers. These users are incentivized to stick with a preferred OS as long as possible so they can use an obscure but expensive program that's useful enough (to them) to justify the effort. In Wudbaer's case, it's the very specific needs of custom DNA synthesis standing in the way of an upgrade.
Advertisement'The geniuses who wrote the software we have to use to interface the machines with our lab management software used a network library that only supports 16-bit machines,' he wrote. This means Wudbaer and colleagues need to control certain DNA synthesizers in the lab with a 68k Mac via the 30-year-old LocalTalk technology. The last 68k Macintosh models, the Performa 580CD and the PowerBook 190, were introduced in mid-1995. (They ran System 7.5.)
This DNA synthesis lab has two LC III Macs and one Quadra 950 running continuously—24 hours a day, seven days a week—plus lots of spare parts and a few standby machines that are ready to go as and when needed. The synthesizers cost around 30,000-40,000 Euros each back in 2002 (equivalent to roughly $35-50k in 2015 terms), so they want to get their money's worth. The lab also has newer DNA synthesizers that interface with newer computers and can chemically generate many more oligonucleotides (short synthetic DNA molecules) at once. This higher throughput comes with a tradeoff, however. Whereas the old synthesizers can synthesize oligonucleotides independently of each other (thereby allowing easy modifications and additional couplings), the new ones do them all in one bulk parallel process, meaning the extra stuff has to wait until afterward. More work means more time, and as Wudbaer says, 'time is money.'
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On the Facebook group Mac OS 9 - it's still alive!, people trade more of these OS 9 endurance stories. Some prefer it for writing environment. Others keep it around for bits and pieces of work that require expensive software such as Adobe's creative suite or a CAD package or Pro Tools or specifically to open old files created with this software. Most use it for old Mac games, of which there are far more than the Mac's game-shy reputation would suggest—but that's a story for another day. A scant, brave few not only struggle through OS 9 for these sorts of offline tasks, but they also rely on it as a Web browsing platform.
Over my years as a systems developer, one of the most common questions I have gotten from colleagues and friends alike is my thoughts on the most suitable laptop for programming. Well, personally, I use a MacBook Pro and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. There are many different reasons for this and I have my own three favorite ones.
However, before I get to that, I think a more important factor to consider is your personal preference. For any programmer, the important thing is to work with a machine that you are comfortable with. For me, I started out with a windows laptop as it is the one that most of my instructors used. So obviously, I grew accustomed to it and I was more comfortable coding with it. I was able to follow what my instructors did and implement it on my laptop.
But that was a long time ago. I have since switched to a MacBook and having worked with both Mac OS X and Windows operating systems, I understand now why many developers prefer the MacBook. It is more than just a fashion statement for their line of work.
1. Consider UNIX and LINUX and the Mac
UNIX and LINUX are operating systems that are very important to programming. If you are new to the programming world, you are sure to have heard about them. UNIX came first, and then followed LINUX. The reasons why the two platforms are ideal for programmers are: UNIX offers a lot of stability, flexibility and it is also very secure. Most of the websites we use and access on a regular basis are built on UNIX and Linux platforms based on these factors.
LINUX is also another popular development operating system available today. It is very similar to UNIX regardless of it going by a different name. LINUX can be run on both MAC and Windows machines to enable programming. That is actually one of the reasons that I prefer a MAC to a Windows machine.
MACS run full time on a UNIX-based operating system and they are thus more developer-friendly. This explains why MACs are the way to go for many developers. With a UNIX based command line, programming is easier as you are able to run programs in almost any language.
UNIX is also more secure by default compared to Windows. This is the reason why Macs tend to be safer against the tools that hackers use such as malwares, Trojan horses and viruses. The last thing a developer wants is to have their machine attacked by malicious hackers and have their work interfered with especially since most of the time they are online which is a hacker's playground. To be on the safe side therefore, many developers prefer to work with Macs.
As a systems developer, you may want to get a job at a tech company where you are likely to put your skills to good use. MACs are best due to their UNIX-based command line since many tech companies make their employees work with UNIX-based systems. So, the more conversant you are with the environment the better for you.
2. Mac Build Quality
One aspect that we cannot deny with Apple devices is that they always deliver on quality. Having begun as a Windows user, I have experienced this truth first hand. Within a span of 4 years, I went through 2 Windows laptops, both of which eventually failed me. The second time was even worse as I tried to have the laptop repaired to no avail. Basically, it is easier to have a MAC repaired as it is easy to diagnose and find the issue using their built in software. You, however, do not have to worry much concerning technical issues with a MacBook and that is why developers prefer them in their work.
I have had a successful 5 year run with my MacBook without encountering any technical glitches and for this reason alone I think it is the most suitable laptop for programming.I recommend this machine, not only to developers like myself but to any other person out there that would like to invest in a stable machine.No one desires to have their machine crashing on them with no warning and losing their work progress and personal data.
Plus you get no interruptions while working:
Another cool fact with the MacBook is that you get fewer interruptions while working. Sometimes I spend 8 – 15 hours straight coding and I experience zero interruptions while at it. This is unlike with Windows where various computer operations occasionally interrupt work. Developers need their full concentration while coding and the MacBook offer this luxury.
3. Cross-Platform Compatibility
Working with MAC OS X, you are able to run all the major operating systems on your machine, which is a great advantage for programmers. It would be difficult to run OS X on a Windows laptop, and the only time that is possible is if you install hacked versions of OS X. MACs, on the other hand, can easily run Windows and even Linux on a virtual environment.
The advantage with this capability is that while programming, you'll find that there are tools only available on Windows, while others are only available on MAC OS X. This brings the need to be able to switch between the different operating systems and that is why the MacBook is the preferred machine of choice for programmers.
Another important thing to note is that it is impossible to create any programs for iOS or OS X using a Windows computer. Therefore, if you intend to develop for iOS or OS X at any point, then MAC is definitely the way to go.
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Conclusion
When it comes to programming, it is really not about the operating system you are using. Rather, your comfort and preference come first. Programming should be a fun experience and therefore and you should stick to a platform that you understand and that works well with the kind of work you are doing. If you are a full-time programmer, however, you need to consider the benefits the MAC OS offers and I would suggest you work with it. The experience is so much different and better than what you'll get working with a Windows operating system.
