OS/2 e-Zine! - One WARPed User and a New Aptiva

One WARPed User and a New Aptiva

- by Alan Levy

My parents had procrastinated to the very end, but they finally had no other option. They could no longer run the family business without the aid of a computer. I, being the most computer literate of the bunch, was charged with the responsibility of investigating what was out there and making a report. In typical Levy fashion we all sat down to finalize those important decisions: which one to buy, what options to get, and more importantly, how much it would cost. I said that since I would be the one providing ongoing technical support for the new system, it would be only logical that I should pick the operating environment. Being a Loyal OS/2 WARP user there really was no other option; I informed them that our new box would run OS/2 Warp Connect. My parents who had watched me tinker with computers for years, said nothing. The lone objection came from my brother. His apprehensions were overcome by an evil stare from my mother, and a quick yes to the question that OS/2 would run 99% of the Windows applications on the market. Next came the harder sell. Advocating the purchase of an IBM Aptiva M70.

For the previous month or so I conducted daily research into what would be the best, most cost effective system to purchase. My research consisted of rereading every computer magazine back issue I could get my hands on and of consulting everyone who would share their opinion. And speaking with IBM employee and OS/2 guru, Timothy Sipples. He suggested that I look at the IBM Aptiva M70. I did what he said, and boy was I surprised what I found. It comes pre-loaded with everything under the sun including an Mwave processor for sound and telephony, OS/2 Warp and Voice Dictation version 1.20.

For those of you who are not familiar with Voice Dictation, it is a true computer wonder program. Before the latest release, it would take a separate card and an extra $499 to get the program to work. But version 1.20 utilizes the Mwave chip built into the Aptiva. No extra card is required. The program is truly amazing, it allows people to simply talk at their computer and have it work for them, from navigating the desktop and creating and editing files, to true, discrete voice dictation. No mouse clicking to figure out, no keyboard hot-keys to learn--just talk and work. Because the program seamlessly integrates with the desktop, I thought it would be perfect for my computer illiterate parents.

I told everyone about the Aptiva: the specifications, what software it comes pre-loaded with and about the Voice Dictation system. After they heard the price, they were impressed with everything they were getting. Everyone agreed that no other computer could do what the Aptiva does, at the price. We took a simple vote, and it was agreed that the Aptiva would be the first computer of their business. All that was required was for me to place an order, and wait for it to be delivered. This is where the problems began.

One would think that such a great computer loaded with so much would be readily available in the marketplace. Such was not the case. I was surprised to find out that IBM makes two versions of the same box one called the M70 (the one that I wanted), and one called the M71 (the one I didn't). The two systems are almost identical; both have Pentium 133 processors, 16MB of memory, a 1.6 Gig hard drive, and of course the Mwave processor. The M71 comes pre-loaded with Win 95, a less capable microphone, and no Voice Dictation software (only voice navigation of the program manager or whatever Microsoft calls it these days). The M70 comes pre-loaded with DOS 7.0/Windows 3.1, OS/2 Warp and the Voice Dictation software mentioned above.

Now we come to the complicated part. I called the IBM PC Company to place my order. Before I spoke to a live person, an automated message informed me that the company has since stopped taking orders for the Aptiva. The message said that I must purchase my new Aptiva locally. The system then transferred me to a dealer locator service which gave me the name, but not phone numbers (come on IBM get with it!) of two local PC stores in my area. Living in a major U.S. city (Chicago) I thought that my task would still be a simple one. It turned out to be anything but! I called the two stores that IBM referred me to, and neither had heard of an M70 Aptiva, but both were glad to sell me an M71. Not easily discouraged, I decided to call two major mail order outlets based in and around Chicago. Both said that the IBM Aptiva M70 had been replaced by the M71. I was in shock and getting angrier by the moment! How could IBM shoot itself in the foot, and abandon OS/2? Over the next week I spent every free moment calling every PC store listed in my Yellow Pages, with no better results.

Frustrated I called the IBM PC Company again, and spoke to a sales representative. He informed me that the Aptiva M70 was not discontinued. I asked why I couldn't find any M70s in the stores and he said that the IBM PC Company (in its infinite wisdom) decided, that everyone would be jumping on the Windows 95 bandwagon, and leaving OS/2. So they only produced a limited number of M70s and an over abundance of M71s. Infuriated, I asked to be transferred to his supervisor.

The supervisor was a bit more informed. He told me that IBM was still producing, and selling the Aptiva M70 (I breathed a sigh of relief) but that the IBM PC Company would be the only one selling that Model. I asked why they were selling the M71 and not the M70 in the retail stores? The supervisor said that Lou Gerstner, Chairman of IBM, had made a decision that OS/2 was to be a corporate ONLY operating system. It would therefore not be pre-loaded on the Aptiva (home-line) except for the M70, which again he said they would sell, if they had any to sell. I said that all the Aptiva commercials show OS/2 Warp, and not Windows 95. He said that was nice, but that he didn't make the rules. He did offer to put me on a pre-pre-order list for the M70, which I reluctantly agreed to. Finally, he said it would be late December or early January before I could expect to get my hands on the computer.

As of the writing of this article I have not been contacted by any IBM PC Company employee regarding the purchase of a new OS/2 loaded Aptiva. Further, in an effort to hedge my bet, I have also started looking for a suitable replacement for the M70.

IBM and its employees have for years said OS/2 is the best, most technically advanced operating system on the market. As a true advocate of OS/2 I tend to agree with that statement, but episodes like this one make me question my resolve to stay with and promote OS/2. IBM said months ago that they would offer OS/2 on all PCs, and suitably equipped laptops they sell. It seems like this, as so many other strategies to promote OS/2, has been dropped or pushed to the side in favor of a newer, "better" strategy. As an OS/2 user and advocate, it is increasingly difficult for me to advocate the use of OS/2 if IBM can't even preload it on their own PCs. Don't take this the wrong way, I will still continue to use and promote OS/2, but if IBM can't get itself organized, I will just have to shop elsewhere.

editor's note: There's a postscript to this story. One week ago, Alan placed an order with IBM Direct for an Aptiva M70. It has yet to arrive, but they say it will come any day. Hopefully by the time you read this, his family will be happily using their new system--and OS/2.

Alan Levy is a 28 year old attorney and Mid-West Director for a company that teaches recent law school graduates how to pass their BAR exam. He is a member of Team OS/2, and has been for four years now.

Send a letter to the editor.

Contents | Previous Article | Next Article

This page is maintained by Falcon Networking. We welcome your suggestions.