|
Apple Leads, Dell Follows (9/16/99)
|
 
|
| | |
Remember how we recently said that Airport stood a solid chance of being the Apple technology that could bring lots of new blood to the Mac platform? Well, apparently Dell agrees that wireless is the way to go. You may have seen by now that Dell, Newman to Apple's Jerry, is rushing to offer a wireless networking option on its laptops, which has prompted analyst Lindy Lesperance to name Dell as the "first leading PC manufacturer to offer wireless networking with business notebooks," according to a CNET article. (Remember, the iBook isn't a "business" laptop.)
Technically, Lindy's correct, we suppose, even though Dell's wireless option is about as lame as Apple's is ingenious. Whereas the iBook has the required antennae built right into its plastic casing and requires only the addition of a completely internal $99 user-installable card to activate the technology, Dell is apparently just bundling an "AiroNet" PC card with their same old laptops. If it's like other cards offered by third parties, those things jut out of the laptop's slots, because the antennae have to be included somehow. (Don't get us wrong; it's just a little thing sticking out, not like a pair of rabbit ears or anything-- but it's nowhere near as cool as the iBook's method.) In addition, Dell's add-on card costs $400. That's four times as much as Apple's AirPort card, even though you get twice the range.
Still, the iBook isn't a business machine, and the current Powerbook G3 is no more AirPort-ready than Dell's laptops are. The only way to AirPort a Powerbook is to add a third-party card, just like Dell is doing; for instance, the $299 Farallon SkyLINE card is fully AirPort-compatible and has been available for a few weeks, now. So if Apple had just made them an add-on option for Powerbook purchases at the Apple Store, Dell wouldn't have been "first." And for elegant AirPort networking in the Powerbook, we might have to wait for next May and the next big Powerbook revamp.
| |
| |
 |
SceneLink (1787)
|  |
 |
|
And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
| | | |
|
| |
|
 | | The above scene was taken from the 9/16/99 episode: September 16, 1999: A dyed-in-the-wool Apple basher positively gushing over FireWire? Believe it. Meanwhile, the iBook's first TV appearance is paving the way for things to come, and Dell hops on the wireless bandwagon just as Apple's getting the first Airport devices out the door...
Other scenes from that episode: 1785: More Turning Tides (9/16/99) Many of you know that the AtAT staff produces this little show from our lovely studios located in the Boston area. Boston's a great city that boasts lots of neat stuff, like baked beans and a professional baseball team whose typical frustration output is second only to the Chicago Cubs... 1786: Ready For Its Close-Up (9/16/99) Remember the iMac introduction last year? It wasn't long after the consumer unit was first shipped that the happy little Bondi Blue space egg started appearing on TV shows. The first occurrence we can recall (apart from Apple's own commercials) was in an ABC promo spot for the upcoming premieres of Spin City and The Drew Carey Show; the iMac that would grace Mimi Bobeck's desk all season was briefly but clearly visible in the commercial...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
|
|
