Since Steve Jobs unveiled the iBook, I've taken two online surveys
too see what Mac users think of the iBook.
What's the best feature?
The first survey asked, What is
the iBook's best feature? Options were
- wireless networking
- competitive price
- rugged design
- colors
- the handle
My guess was that AirPort would win,
since the iBook would be the first consumer computer with a high speed
wireless networking option. Over half those who responded voted for
wireless networking as the best thing about the iBook.
In second place was the iBook's competitive price (see The Price Is Right for my analysis of how the iBook
compares with Wintel laptops).
Here are full survey results:
|
Wireless networking
|
54%
|
|
|
Competitive price
|
20%
|
|
|
Rugged
|
14%
|
|
|
Colorful/color choice
|
8%
|
|
|
The handle
|
3%
|
|
What's the worst flaw?
The second survey asked, What is
the iBook's biggest flaw? Options were
- Too little memory
- Too few colors
- Too small hard drive
- Too big/heavy
- Too expensive
This time, there was no break out winner. Too expensive took the top
spot by a few votes, but just one-third of those surveyed thought the
iBook was overpriced.
Almost as many complained about the 32 MB standard memory, seeing
this as the chief flaw of the iBook. Fortunately, it will be an easy
one to solve.
Less than half as many said the limited color choice (blueberry or
tangerine) or hefty size and weight of the iBook were the biggest
problem. And only half that number thought the 3.2 GB hard drive was
too small.
Here are the full survey results:
|
Too little memory
|
32%
|
|
|
Too few colors
|
13%
|
|
|
Too small hard drive
|
7%
|
|
|
Too big/heavy
|
15%
|
|
|
Too expensive
|
33%
|
|
Conclusion
Apple seems to have achieved some reasonable compromises in the
iBook design. AirPort is the star feature, followed by reasonable
pricing and rugged construction.
Still, most Mac users had hoped for a less costly iBook, so the
price is seen as the biggest problem the iBook has -- followed closely
by limited memory.
Fortunately, several mail order vendors are taking orders for the
iBook at it's regular price, but with 64 MB total memory installed.
This should answer the complaints of some about price and limited
memory.
The price should eventually resolve downward, once the shortage of
displays it behind us. Let's hope Apple's investment in Samsung results
not only in all the screens they need, but also helps lower the price
of those screen.
When that happens, Apple may be able to reduce iBook retail by up to
US$200.
- iBook & PowerBook Page sponsor Outpost.com is taking iBook
orders for
blueberry
and
tangerine with 64 MB additonal RAM (96 MB total) for US$1,629.
