Software Speeds Up Macintosh Performance
About the only thing more boring than waiting for the Apple Macintosh to access a disk is reading one more complaint about the speed problem, which even the most enthusiastic supporters of the machine acknowledge.
So, rather than complain, I decided to do something. I stuffed my 512K Mac into its carrying case and headed for the stately Claremont Hotel in the foothills above Berkeley. Beck-Tech, located in the basement of the 75-year-old resort, has developed a way to upgrade a 128K or 512K Macintosh to a system with a full megabyte (1,024K) of RAM.
The extra memory enhances the machine in three ways. First, it can be used to create a high-speed “RAM disk drive”; second, it can be used to run several programs simultaneously, and, finally, it can make better use of programs designed to take advantage of as much as a megabyte of memory.
The upgrade comes with software that allows some of the Mac’s memory to simulate a disk drive. That “RAM disk” can be used to temporarily store programs, data and system files. With all your programs and data loaded into a RAM disk, there is no need for the machine to access the disks, a mechanical process that causes delays and makes noises. According to Beck-Tech, a RAM disk “delivers performance typically 10 times faster than floppy disk access.”
Has Its Limitations
A RAM disk does have its limitations. Any data in memory is lost when the machine is turned off or when there is a “system crash” from a momentary glitch in hardware or software. RAM disk users are advised to frequently “back up” the data onto a real disk.
The second advantage to the additional RAM is that the user can run several programs simultaneously with Apple Computer’s Switcher. Switcher hasn’t been officially released, but preliminary copies are being widely circulated at no charge by user groups and some dealers. The program allows you to divide the system’s available memory into segments so that it is possible to switch from program to program with a click of the mouse.
This makes it easy to change, for example, from MacPaint to MacWrite. The number of programs that Switcher can handle is limited by the size of the programs and the machine’s available memory. If all your programs require only 128K, as is the case with MacWrite and MacPaint, then a 512K Mac can access up to three programs in Switcher. But, with larger, more sophisticated programs such as Jazz or Excel, the Switcher becomes less useful. With a megabyte, you can have up to seven 128K programs.
I was recently working on some overhead transparencies for a class and had an opportunity to put all this memory to good use.
Saved Time
The project involved the use of three programs--MacPaint, MacWrite and MacDraw. I loaded all three programs into the RAM disk along with the Apple Switcher and the system files. I was able to do my initial drawings in MacDraw, enhance them in MacPaint and add text and print them out using MacWrite. Without all the extra memory, the process would have taken much longer.
The RAM disk and the Switcher enhance the speed and convenience, but there are other arguments for additional memory. A few programs can actually use the megabyte of RAM to handle more data. Apple recently discontinued the Lisa (later renamed the XL), which was designed to use up to a megabyte of RAM. Though Apple limits its current models to 512K, software has been developed to take advantage of the megabyte built into the earlier machines.
One such program is Jazz from Lotus Development. This integrated program can do spreadsheets, database, word processing and telecommunications. All of Jazz’s program code and data must reside in the Apple memory. Although Jazz performs in a 512K machine (Computer File, July 1, 1985), users with large spreadsheets, databases or documents will quickly run out of memory. Happily, Jazz recognizes the extra RAM in a one-megabyte system, allowing for much larger files.
Upgrading the memory requires that some chips soldered to the Mac’s printed circuit “mother” board be removed and replaced with gold-plated sockets so that the Beck-Tech “daughter” board can be inserted. Such an upgrade may violate the Apple warranty, but if your machine is more than 90 days old the warranty has expired anyway.
Another risk--although one that isn’t very likely--is that Apple might later decide to upgrade its system board and require users to swap the old board for the new one. Apple could decide not to accept boards that have been modified. Another likely scenario is that Apple will simply replace the read-only memory (ROM) chips that plug into sockets on the system board. The Beck-Tech modification probably would not interfere with such an upgrade.
Cost of qa Megabyte
A megabyte of power comes at a price. It costs $698 to upgrade from a 512K machine or $849 from a 128K machine. You can save $200 by buying the kit, but you had better be handy, and very careful, with a soldering iron. Beck-Tech has offices in Southern and Northern California. The product can be installed by qualified dealers throughout the country.
Beck-Tech is located at 414 Tunnel Rd., Berkeley, Calif. 94705 (415-548-4054). The Southern California affiliate, AEG Electronics, is at 19434 Londelius St., Northridge, Calif. 91324 (818-886-7677).
If a megabyte isn’t enough, San Diego-based Levco will upgrade a 512K Mac to two megabytes for $900, including installation. “Our system has added advantages,” said spokesman Duane Maxwell. “Ours is one of the only upgrades that is upgradable. It includes extra sockets for further expansion.” Levco is at 6160 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, Calif. 92121 (619-457-2011).
The Computer File welcomes readers’ comments but regrets that the authors cannot respond individually to letters. Write to Lawrence J. Magid, 4 Embarcadero Center, Suite 1970, San Francisco, 94111.
