Apple Remote Desktop 2 Released

chasingporsches writes "Today Apple released Apple Remote Desktop 2, a major upgrade of their network management software. New features include new software management support, and VNC support, which allows you to control and view any VNC-enabled Mac, Windows, or UNIX-based machine. Unlimited client price is $499, 10-client $299. It's not available as a free upgrade, but you can get a discounted price if you purchased the previous version today or later."

Comments

Up-To-Date Program

[chlorophyl]

For those of you who have or will purchase version 1.2 (version 2.0 won't ship till July) - you can get the new version for $19.95 by using these forms.

Up-To-Date 10 Client
Up-To-Date Unlimited Client

Whatever

[Microsift]

Let's compare updates

Windows 95 -> Windows 98 -> Win ME-> Win XP

OSX 10.0 -> OSX 10.1 -> OSX 10.2 -> OSX 10.3

Now I can't imagine why anyone would have "upgraded" to Win ME, but I'll put my 10.1 -> 10.2 upgrade up against that.

Windows charges for updates to its systems as well, the small # of features added in each update make it not worth the cost.

Mac OS X updates typically offer a compelling list of added features and improved system speed.

The OSX full price is comparable to the Windows upgrade price $129 vs. $99. People with 2-5 Macs can buy a Family Plan license for $179.

What compelling feature was added to Win ME that made you want to upgrade from Win 98.

Also, I can sell my old system software on EBay, since I am not upgrading, an upgrading windows user could not.

Re:Whatever

[chromaphobic]

If 10.0 had been release in 1995, this might be a valid comparison. But back in 1995 the Mac was still on System 7.5, so if you want a valid weighing of the cost to keep a system up-to-date you need to start counting a bit earlier than OS X.

Try: (leaving out free updates)
7.5 - 8.0 - 8.5 - 9.0 - 10.0 - 10.2 - 10.3
versus:
95 - 98 - ME - XP

Assuming upgrade prices (and assuming I'm remembering prices correctly,) thats:
99 + 99 + 99 + 99 + 129 + 129 + 129 = 783
versus:
99 + 99 + 99 + 99 = 396

Which means, to keep the Mac OS up-to-date has been nearly twice as expensive (assuming you never got any upgrades "free" with a new system purchase) over the last (almost) ten years.

I love my Mac, so I'd MUCH rather have those ten years of Mac Operating Systems than Windows (yes, even System 7.5!) but that doesn't change the fact that it IS more expensive to keep a Mac up-to-date.

My point was...

[Microsift]

What do you get upgrading from 95 to 98?
What do you get upgrading from 98 to ME (I think you lost stuff here)

Only the XP upgrade was truly compelling, but I know people who bought every one!