Filed under: Computers
In a shift major shift among businesses, Macintosh computers are no longer just being allowed through the front doors of corporate America but are actually being encouraged as business work tools.
According to a new survey by the Yankee Group, a Massachusetts research firm, the Apple-made desktop computers, previously only the favorites of graphic designers and layout specialists, are now becoming the quiet favorite among network administrators.
The Macs are said to provide a more stable computer environment and are more resistant to security threats and common flaws than computers outfitted with Windows XP or Vista.
According to Laura DiDio, a Yankee Group research fellow, 8 in 10 U.S. Businesses now use Macs in a significant way. While the Macs only make up about 10 percent of all the computers used by businesses, this represents a major increase from the 2 percent they represented only just a few years ago.
Many businesses are even using the Macs to load Windows, since these computers are able to load both kinds of operating systems courtesy of the Apple’s “Boot Camp” utility.
What are the specific reasons for a business to get Macs? The answer is stability and reliability. Macs, DiDio says, suffer from less downtime, they come with a utility called “Time Machine” that allows a user to essentially go back to a moment when a computer was operating properly in case a problem occurs, their desktop search (with a utility called “Spotlight“) is easier to use, and iChat (an instant messaging platform) makes communication among workers easier.
While the IT pros surveyed admitted that Windows has better support for network issues, the stability of the Macs actually means they have less reason to require system help.
DiDio notes that businesses aren’t about to swap out all their Windows machines for Macs - but the tide may be turning. [Source: Computerworld.]
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