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This article focuses on the developments of computers. A few months ago, Apple Computer Inc. introduced a new computer built around its G5 64-bit processor, and a brash new marketing campaign for it. In tests, the G5 fared very well against a Dell Precision 650 system with a dual 3.06-GHz Xeon processor and a Dell Dimension 8300 with a single 3-GHz Pentium 4. But almost immediately, people started crying foul. While most software is optimized for 32-bit processors, 64-bit software can run much faster. The problem is that these tests do not run on Windows XR. Since the controversy over the SPEC tests erupted, and Apple began using new tests, the computer maker no longer uses the "fastest computer" claim in its advertising.

The article presents information on the position of different software companies in the computer market. With a personal computer (PC) operating system market share over 90 percent, Microsoft Corp.'s Windows dominates the world's home computers. Apple computer Inc.'s operating system comes in a distant but respectable second place in the home PC market. And yet, despite the dominance of those two systems, almost any computer geek will tell that Linux--the free operating system built by a global army of skillful and passionate programmers — is far and away a better way to power the PC.

This article presents information about the iMac G5 desktop computer designed by Apple Computer Inc. When the Apple iMac G5 was introduced in late August 2004, it was hailed as a triumph of compact design. The entire computer, including the screen, drives and power supply, is contained within a sleek chassis with a 2-inch profile. Knowing that its powerful G5 processors ran hot, Apple integrated three fans. The company found a number of complaints about overheating power supplies and "bloated," apparently heat-damaged, capacitors on the midplane circuit board.