Complexity of current hardware vs. older machines?

[mrzeigler]

The thread about the AppleCare extended warranty got me thinking, esp. when a poster commented that PowerPC-era hardware seemed more reliable than contemporary computers.

Of course, I realize that more complex systems provide more opportunities for something to go wrong. But since I know next to nothing about the guts of a computer, let alone the recent evolution of hardware designs, I figured I'd throw this question out to the rest of you:

Can someone give me a sense of how complex today's iMac hardware is when compared to, say, the PowerPC-era machines? Has there been any fundamental changes or is it simply a case of faster/smaller components? And can someone knowledgeable speak about any known tradeoff for faster and smaller components?

 

[zap2]

I don't think there are any huge changes....Apple designs things so its easier to upgrade what they want you to be able to(RAM on iMac/Mac mini) But now its much harder to upgrade things they don't want you to(HDD on iMac/Mac mini)

So thats one big trade off in my mind.

 

[leman]

I don't thinks there is any substantial difference in "complexity" of the old and new system. Sure, the nowadays macs are more sophisticated (as in "technologically advanced") they use advanced materials and production processes, better batteries, smaller transistors. But there is no added complexity that could result in overall lower expected reliability.

 

[ShiftyGray]

I don't thinks there is any substantial difference in "complexity" of the old and new system. Sure, the nowadays macs are more sophisticated (as in "technologically advanced") they use advanced materials and production processes, better batteries, smaller transistors. But there is no added complexity that could result in overall lower expected reliability.

So you don't think the improvements in technology are associated with increased complexity?

 

[hamean]

So you don't think the improvements in technology are associated with increased complexity?

I think the heat issue for laptops and iMacs will always be an issue that effects hardware. That's where the future of computers, like MBA, should in theory help reliability.