I read with great interest the article by your special writer, Carlene Smart (“Computers are popular home equipment,” BDN, Aug. 24). While I am not a computer consultant, I am an avid computer user, and take offense to Smart’s biased opinion on computers. She states that “most people will … need a 386 or 486 computer, especially to connect to the Internet and other services.” How about a nice little MacIntosh Performa with a 68030 or 68040 Motorola processor (or for the Caddy of the Macs, how about a PowerMac)? Most Macs come standard with four megs of RAM and around 200 MB hard drives and some with built-in CD-ROMs. Also, no sound-blaster card is needed with Macs for games.

In reference to the Internet and America Online, the article states, “The Internet can be accessed on an IBM or … compatible computer.” Interestingly enough, when America Online was created, it was created MacIntosh specific.

Microsoft Windows? If you are running a Mac, you already have the system that Microsoft Windows is attempting to copy (specifically the MacIntosh operating system).

As for modems, 14.4 is nice to have, but as far as accessing the Internet and/or online services, the current available access speed in this area is only 2,400 bytes per second, and some areas it is an even slower 1,200 bps.

Finally, in reference to Internet and online software, the article’s list goes on and on, again in reference to what you need for an IBM-compatible machine. If you are running a MacIntosh with America Online’s newest version for the Mac (v2.6) you already have Internet access, a World Wide Web Browser, File Transfer Protocol, and e-mail access (both online locally with AOL, and also Internet access to e-mail).

I hope this information reinstates for the Mac users of this area that you don’t need an IBM-compatible computer to do what the Mac can already do. Mark E. Foley Winterport