[Ham-Mac] Time for a change?

[Cleeve]

Please forgive this submission, if is considered "off topic" but I am
sure that many of you have been down the same road, and I would be
grateful for advice. 

	I think the time has come for a change....my reasons, although in all
other respects, my current computer works as is should, I am concerned
by the very low rate of downloading information from the Internet. My
present computer, a PowerBook 3400c, using a 56kb modem, often downloads
at as little as 1byte per second, even very late at night, when all self
respecting people should be asleep, and it has never acheived the 56kbs
that the modem is capable of. However, for just e-mail exchanges, my
3400c computer, and the free ISP connection are enough.

	But now, in the UK, British Telecom have a special deal for domestic
users, offering their new 24 hour broadband ADSL connection, with a half
price modem, and the first month free. BT tests on my telephone line
show that information would download at 2Mbs if I were to subscribe.  

	Great, I thought, I will subscribe, however, there is a snag for Mac
users, this ADSL system will only work, if you have a G4, or later,
running system 9, or later, which rules out my current Mac equipment.
But, if you use a Microsoft PC, the British Telecom ADSL system will
work with Windows 98 and later, using Pentium 2, and later  equipment. 

	So, it seems I have a choice, either stay as I am, and ignore the mass
of data now being transferred to the internet, such as literature from
manufacturers etc. or bite the bullet, and buy another computer, which
will take advantage of the broadband connection. If I buy another
computer, then which ? I love my Macs, but, do I remain faithful to the
marque. The contents of my wallet is shrinking, as I grow older, and I
think the choice will have to be a PC, which will then eliminate all the
frustration I have experienced over the years, when trying to use PC
software on a Mac.

	I would appreciate any thoughts that the group might have, I sure that
many of you have been there, and done that, but I think that I will have
to go with the masses, just like the domestic video recorder,
VHS-V-Betamax situation , and go for the cheaper, and most likely,
inferior system.

	Sincerely, John Cleeve.G3JVC.