Macs right for some small businesses, not others
updated 05:40 pm EDT, Tue June 3, 2008
Macs right for small biz
As Apple's popularity in the PC market grows, many in business are debating the switch, but some in the industry caution that while Macs have gained a lot of interoperability, the move may not be smart for some. CNN Money writes that the switch to Mac can be beneficial to some, even offering cost reductions in overall system price and maintenance over traditional Windows serving solutions. Writer Jonathan Blum also notes that there are some software hurdles in particular instances, which can sometimes be easily remedied.
Blum highlights Jaffe Associates in Washington, DC, saying that the firm recently considered upgrading its Windows servers architecture, but were shocked when collaborative software costs would be upwards of $100,000. When pricing a comparable Apple solution, COO Shani Magosky obtained a quote at almost half the price.
"We are a virtual company, meaning we all work from home offices in different parts of the country," Magosky said. "[Apple] is wonderful for a company like ours."
When Blum purchased an iMac, he found it to be an excellent product for small business, but was not entirely without issues. Unimpressed with Apple's elaborate packaging, Blum's interest was piqued when the computer itself was set out on the table, in particular the new slim keyboard. Citrix's GoToMyPC, the tool that his business uses for VPN access, refused to work properly, while Mozy backups were eventually supported throughout the course of his tests.
Blum was quite impressed with Safari, which bested his Sony Vaio when tested for web browsing speed over Verizon's FiOS internet connection. The 64-bit software, he claims, helps immensely, and is ideal for researchers or creative professionals.
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and Microsoft Office for Mac left a mixed impression, saying that getting used to new function keys, as well as inconsistent features between the Mac and PC versions of Excel left much to be desired. Integration with specialized non-Apple products, such as the BlackBerry, also remain difficult to set up and synchronize.
Blum advises small business owners to really assess what they need to do with their computing equipment, and to speak with an Apple Consultant before making any large purchases.
Microtard
06/03, 05:56pm reply
Just another dumb a** microtard.
starwarrior
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Microtard
06/03, 05:57pm reply
Just another dumb a** microtard.
starwarrior
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Joined: Mar 2006
Sigh
06/03, 06:19pm reply
No, he's not a "dumb a** microtard."
When he said he wasn't a fan of Apple, it wasn't long before that became evident. There are some good points to the article - for small businesses, Apple is indeed great. Once the learning curve was over, we've found that we spent a lot less on our outside IT consultant for ongoing maintenance.
Some issues with the article. In a professional article/review, phrases like "Like I care" sound a bit snotty, and smells just like the Apple Fanboyism many accuse US of. At the end of the article, he says that Vista is a "powerful, powerful alternative" without listing why.
There's more, but these few things capture the gist of it. As I said, not a bad article, but his bias is showing just a bit.
MG
Guest
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Joined: Nov 1999
Trash Article
06/03, 06:30pm reply
This was a completely worthless article clearly meant to generate page hits through controversy. MacNN doesn't do its readers any favors by linking to this trash. I would expect better from Forbes than this level of hubris and flamebait. Not only did the author NOT provide any information of relevance to small business owners to back up his premise, but he also demonstrated what a sad, misinformed MS fanboy he is. Here's a nice refutation of this garbage, so I don't have to bother:http://blogs.computerworld.com/macsbadforsmallbusiness
WiseWeasel
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fixed link
06/03, 06:33pm reply
MacNN ate my link...http://blogs.computerworld.com/macsbadforsmallbusiness
WiseWeasel
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Joined: Apr 1999
Not for 100% sure
06/03, 06:33pm reply
But the writer suggests for around 20% of small businesses the Mac may be appropriate (so we assume for 80%, Vista is "better") -- but nowhere in this opinion as article are any rationales given for these numbers, just "Figures I Pulled Out Of My a**".
None of the problems listed are specifically Mac issues: moving a business from a Mac-oriented network and server set-up to a Windows one a few years back would have been much, much more problematic (and of course the Windows machines had no way of running any older or custom apps you may have been using and not have replacements for.)
Weak article overall.
dimmer
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
Fixed link (not)
06/03, 06:35pm reply
The fixed link still gets a 404, sorry WiseW.
dimmer
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2006
freakin MacNN comments
06/03, 07:04pm reply
Here, I guess MacNN's comments functionality doesn't like underscores... Here's an alternate link:http://tinyurl.com/4a8cyyOh, and I mistook Fortune for Forbes, my mistake. I guess we CAN expect this kind of c*** from Fortune...
WiseWeasel
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In other news...
06/03, 08:35pm reply
Windows is right for some small businesses, and not others.
Linux is right for some small businesses, and not others.
Mainframes with thin clients are right are for some small businesses, and not others.
Hopefully, all businesses have an MIS/IT department and choose the hardware and software solutions that best suit them.
leamanc
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Why would...
06/03, 09:06pm reply
..existing IT professionals advise the purchase of a product designed to replace many of them?
McD
McDave
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