What’s more important? Usability or features?

Posted on March 10, 2008 by dtramontana

I found this Information Week article interesting.

“Only 1% of survey respondents said software functionality is a factor for realizing the value of a software deployment.”

I know that I personally prefer usability. If I can’t use the feature, why have it. Most users also say they prefer usability. But in my experience, if you give the user the options: A = Time +Usability and B = Feature, they always chose B. So who’s right?

I think Apple’s OS is far superior to Microsoft’s in many ways, but specifically in regards to its beautiful usability. But, here I am running Windows XP. Why? Because it supported the games I wanted to play. I say I prefer Apple’s UI because it is more usable, but when push came to shove, I chose Microsoft because it had the features I wanted.

I am not trying to down play the importance of usability–that would be dumb considering I write a usability blog. :) But, I do think the balance is not nearly as lopsided as the Information Week article suggests.

Give users hypothetical questions and they chose one answer. Give them a real choice and the decision isn’t as easy.

Filed under: Electronic Interfaces, Usability, Usability News | Tagged:

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3 Responses to “What’s more important? Usability or features?”

  1. Nathan Zeldes, on March 21st, 2008 at 1:04 am Said:

    Hey Dominic, I’m honored to be on your blogroll. That’s one roll I was hoping to make… you have quite a nicely done blog!

  2. More on usability or features « Useology, on March 25th, 2008 at 1:38 am Said:

    [...] 25, 2008 In my recent post, What’s more important? Usability or features?, I made the statement, “Give users hypothetical questions and they chose one answer. Give [...]

  3. dtramontana, on March 25th, 2008 at 1:44 am Said:

    Nathan,
    Right back at you. And thanks.

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