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iBook Gets Ringing Endorsement In Government Computer News
by , 8:00 AM EDT, May 25th, 2004
Apple's iBook product line got a ringing endorsement from one of the main publications aimed at government purchasers in the US, Government Computer News. In a review titled "iBook is a lean, clean machine," Thomas R. Temin praises the iBook's styling, performance, the integrated AirPort card, and Mac OS X. His two biggest criticisms are a bug he says causes his iBook to crash when sleeping, and the fact that the iBook comes with so much software, it might be considered a perk for government workers. From the review:
The important advantage I find with Apple computers versus PCs could be a mixed blessing if you buy them off-the-shelf for agency users. That is the complete software bundle that comes with them. In my opinion, the included software negates the common notion that Apple hardware is overpriced.
You get a full office suite, AppleWorks, that is file-compatible with Microsoft Office, as well as fairly robust photography, music, DVD, movie-making, antivirus and e-mail applications, plus numerous other goodies. All this leaves a solid 30G of free disk space, but it also might make an agency-supplied computer seem too much like a personal perk.
All in all, the iBook confirmed my personal choice to switch from Windows to Mac OS. But there is a learning curve for new users. As a replacement unit for users of System 9, you won't get many complaints
There is much more information in the full article at Government Computer News.
The Mac Observer Spin:
Government Computer News carries a lot of weight in government purchasing circles, and that's a market that Apple is quietly working on growing. In that context, this review brings Apple a lot of exposure to a highly targeted audience, and that's always a Good Thing™.We particularly love the notion that there is so much software on the iBook it could be considered a personal perk. That's a real issue for many agencies, where there needs to not be the perception that employees are using their government-owned computers for personal use.
That said, though, it's a terrific message for anyone to make that the Mac comes with lots of software, so we shan't complain.
Observer Comments
Most Windoze laptops sold to the government end up with a bunch of "personal productivity" apps on them as well. The only whining about this will come from some IT staffs who will point at the software bundle and exclaim that it proves that "Macs are just toys" and aren't "real" computers.
If only, if only...
Tue May 25, 2004 9:26 am Subject: Crashing While asleep
Tue May 25, 2004 11:04 am Subject: Will it make a difference?
Over the last year and a half, I've read very positive articles in magazines such as InfoWorld praising the Mac and it's software. However, it doesn't seem to be making much difference in the Enterprise world. I hope this will increase government purchases, but I'm not holding my breath.
Thu May 27, 2004 8:18 am Subject: ringing endorsement
Maybe the author's idea of a ringing endorsement is not the same as mine.
this didn't sound like one with words like fairly robust.. or learning curve for new users.. or the comment about the software bundle negating the fact that they are overpriced.
none of this sounded ringing to me.
This is what I expected:
This is the best computer I have ever used! Worth twice what I paid for it! The software suite is more than I would ever need. The processor is the speediest thing ever! etc.
this missed some of that enthusiasm by a mile.
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