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Why Consumer Macs Are Enterprise-Worthy
cyberkahn tips us to an article in Computerworld that makes the case for Apple's consumer machines moving into corporations. (The article dismisses Linux desktops in the enterprise in a single bullet item.) With the press that Vista has been getting, is Apple moving into a perfect storm? Quoting: "There is no comparison between Apple's 'consumer' machines and the consumer lines of its competitors. All of Apple's machines are ready to move into the enterprise, depending on the job at hand. The company's simple and elegant product line, which is also highly customizable, will be Apple's entree to the business market — if IT decision-makers can get over their prejudice against equipment that's traditionally been aimed at consumers."
To sum up your comment:
Macs suck for the enterprise because they come with too much stuff.
Please, enlighten me as to how having a webcam during the twelve hours of netmeetings I had last week would make things WORSE - because my speakerphone is decent, but being able to see someone does help. Explain how having more RAM than absolutely necessary is a BAD thing, given that corporate desktops typically have at least one software upgrade cycles.
Your entire argument seems to revolve around dissing this article and macs because the author stresses the additional capabilities (at very little extra cost or for less than the PC equivalent) that Macs have for Enterprise use. Pardon me if I happen to think that adding productive capabilities to my employees' toolset is a good idea. Typically, the more that people can do, the more they will do.
You're an awfully small-minded thinker. I'm glad you don't work for our IT department.
Or he could use Ubuntu, avoiding the overpriced hardware, and have a spellchecker. Macs don't have a monopoly on useful features, you know.
....Dell or HP that meets the user's requirements.....
Maybe you're right for entry level jobs if the company has a lot of those. However that Mac mini might find wider applications throughout the organization. Getting as few kinds of systems as possible has big advantages of interchangeability. If a slightly higher level work requires WiFi those jobs can be done by a more capable machine also. After 5 years or so you'll have a hard time giving that cheap Dell to anyone, whereas you still might get some money for a Mac. Even getting only $50 for an old mac is a lot better than having to PAY $5 to haul an old decrepit PC to the recycling yard. Compare ebay prices on similar aged Macs and Dells and give me a report. Most Dells that age are not even worth selling because of the shipping cost. An old mini G4 costs little to ship and will likely work fine with a buyer's old monitor, keyboard and mouse.
All theory is gray