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and whether you can summarize the advantages
>and disadvantages of both. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that:
>1) PC hardware is cheaper
>2) Mac has more built-in graphical stuff so may be more stable
>3) PC version 3 is much more bug-ridden than Mac version 3
>4) In general, a Pentium will run LabView faster than a top-line Quadra
>5) It may be easier to print graphical data on the PC version
>
>Any comments or additions before I decide which platform to stick with?
>

1) The price differrence is marginal in absolute terms and also if one
considers that old PCs (286) litter the lab blinking DOS, while old Macs
are stilled used. Yes it is true we have a SE running LabView 2.2.1. So
with Macs you keep your investment.
2) I cannot comment on stability difference bu the Mac GUI is more
mature. Different applications work together much better and I find the GUI
itself more pleasurable, and the mouse runs smoother on the Mac. To setup
Windows one must become familar with DOS which means reading the manual!!
3)
4) There are some zippy PC about.
5) Macs and printers for Macs are state of the art for text and
graphics. I don't know how well the PC prints and I cannot connect to a
printer...see below
6) Networking. I don't why, PC gurus have tried, but to run TCP/IP
based programs such as telnet, ftp, NFS or even have access to a TCP/IP
net, uses too much low memory in DOS that not much else works. Solution.
Turn it off. When installing Windows I specified MSNet protocals to work
through my ethernet card. This I thought would allow me to print easily to
all those postscript printers... It can be done but one needs a printer
server on a UNIX, Mac or VaX... Needless to say the Mac is transparently
networked plus filesharing among other Macs is simple.
7) Configuring the Mac usually means going to one place. The Control
panel. The PC under DOS one must chase after config.bat files all over the
place and then do the same in Windows...Maybe WinNT is better but it is 3
to 4 times bigger in RAM and disk space then a typical Sys 7.1 config.
8) Hardware. PC have a much wider and cheaper selection of interfacing
and data acquisition cards. There are good NuBus cards but I wish there
was an AT-bussed Mac.

Finally I with vendors of hardware systems such as spectrometors
would stop interfacing them to the PC using Quick Basic but use a
easy-to-modify platform independent software...that hopefully keeps getting
cheaper...

Hope this helps
Michael


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Dr. Michael Proctor email proctor@eldp.epfl.ch
EPFL, DP-IMO Tel (41 21) 693 45 46
CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzeland Fax (41 21) 693 45 25
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