Missing From the Mac Pro

• SLI or Crossfire support -- High-end Windows PCs offer the ability to link to graphics cards to form a "dual processor" GPU -- too bad the Mac Pro doesn't support this capability
• At least one PCI-X slot -- We are thrilled to have high speed PCI-Express slots, but instead of making all four slots PCIe, why not go with one PCI-X and three PCI-Express slots? That way, consumers with a significant investment in PCI-X cards don't have to toss them in the trash and start over with PCI Express versions.
• Full 32 lane PCI-Express bus -- The bus controller chosen only supports a total of 26 lanes. And though you can install up to four graphics cards, only one will be running at 16 lane speed.
• Dual channel FireWire 800 -- Though there are now two FW800 ports, they both share the same data channel along with the USB 2.0 and FW400 ports. That puts a crimp in transfer speeds attainable by those slick FireWire 800 RAID boxes.
• More advanced graphics card choices like the GeForce 8800 Ultra or the Radeon HD 2900 XT
• An external SATA port

Missing From MacBook Pro 17" and 15"

• An advanced model like the AlienWare laptops that feature dual boot drives, upgradeable GPU, and SLI mode for dual GPUs.

Missing From MacBook 13"

• "Real" GPU -- The Intel GMA950 lacks its own VRAM and runs Core Image effects and OpenGL 3D much slower than the MacBook Pros.
• FireWire 800 port -- -- external storage has to use FW400 or USB2 ports, neither of which achieves the full potential speed of 7200 rpm drives.

Missing From Intel iMac

• External SATA port

Missing From Mac mini

• "Real" GPU -- The Intel GMA950 lacks its own VRAM and runs Core Image effects and OpenGL 3D much slower the Intel iMac.
• FireWire 800 port -- would be nice to have for booting from an external, fast 7200rpm 3.5" drive enclosure; or how about an external SATA port?

Missing From the iPhone

• 3G data support -- EDGE is too slow and finding WiFi isn't convenient when most hotspots are password protected
• See our article entitled "Nine Ways Apple Can Improve The iPhone" for more.

Missing From OS X

• True WYSIWYG for Apple displays -- higher dots per inch is good but it makes everything look smaller than reality -- this can be fixed if Apple will implement the Core Image code that allows users to scale the resolution -- see the OS X Tiger Quartz Debug tool's resolution palette for a demonstration of this. This should become the norm when OS X Leopard is released, according to Apple's developer overview (see paragraph on Resolution Indepenence). Apple is so serious, they have patented the technology.

Missing From The Lineup

• Backlit Keyboard for Desktops

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For refurbished, reconditioned, open box (as well as new) G5 Power Macs, check with Small Dog and Power Max. Check also at the Apple HOT DEALS section for factory refurbs and other specials.

Some of you have asked which "older" G5 Power Mac models are most desirable. Whether you buy a refurbished or used G5 Power Mac, I recommend getting a model with 8 memory slots, 100/133MHz PCI-X slots, and 600W Power Supply. The table below gives the model number, etc., of these most desirable G5s.

Model Number	clock speed	processors	intro date
M9031LL/A	1.8GHz	single	June 2003
M9032LL/A	2.0GHz	dual	June 2003
M9393LL/A	1.8GHz	dual	November 2003
M9455LL/A	2.0GHz	dual	June 2004
M9457LL/A	2.5GHz	dual	June 2004
M9748LL/A	2.3GHz	dual	April 2005
M9749LL/A	2.7GHz	dual	April 2005

All other models have only 4 memory slots, 33MHz PCI slots, 450W Power Supply, and slower frontside bus speeds. If you can't find the model you want at Apple's Special Deals page, Small Dog's site, or Power Max's site, go to Froogle.com and search on the model number.