Bento for Mac

User Reviews

• very buggy and lacks many features associated with DBs

  DReidAugust 12, 2013

  Pros

  Very few pros. Appleworks DB was much better.

  Cons

  Filemaker are dumping Benito in September so no chance of any future improvments or updates.

  Summary

  Waste of money

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• A disappointment - not for serious business use

  nkclarkAugust 3, 2012

  Pros

  The easy integration with Apple's iWork suite is the major reason to buy this limited database application. This is the one aspect of Bento that keeps me from deleting it from my system. Form design is relatively easy, especially if you begin with the library of form templates that is available. These two factors allow you to be up and running a rudimentary project management database relatively quickly.

  Cons

  Bento recommends a maximum of 10,000 records per library. Our experience has been that it has difficulty handling more than 1,000, without frequent hangs and crashes. Some small businesses that run on Mac platforms might be able to get some limited use from Bento, especially if calendar and project records are archived frequently; but it might be too frustrating for some. Bento does not have the ability to create relational databases, which results in too much time-consuming manual updating and management for most business applications. Bento's data export capabilities are very limited. You can create simple reports, but it is a cumbersome and time-consuming process. The help function for Bento is almost non-existent and on-line technical support is spotty, in our opinion.

  Summary

  To be fair, Bento is advertised as a personal database, rather than a business database. If you want to use it in a small business, as a low-cost CRM tool or for project management, it might meet your needs better than the more powerful programs such as Daylite or a customized Filemaker database. But be prepared for some frustrations and disappointments along the way, if you want to use Bento for any serious business functions.

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• Great Functionality & Design; but not for Inventory Mgt

  LOOPS75April 25, 2012

  Pros

  The linking between all the tables in the library/database The flexibility and ability to customise to your heart's desire Customer service (even pre purchase) is fantastic via the forums

  Cons

  It is not a relational database (which means it doesn't update records, you have to record changes manually). I have to admit that I knew this already, but thought I could work around it.

  Summary

  When I first downloaded the trial version of this, I loved it. I thought, if I could just wrap my head around what I need, I can build the right links and tables etc to my requirements. I hit some speed bumps, and contacted them via the forum and they answered promptly and in very helpful detail. I carried on, but in the end I realised that for my needs (managing inventory/manufacturing levels, as well as purchasing of raw materials and sales of finished goods), I might be able to get it to work, but there would be so much manual tweaking that is wasn't worth it in the end. I would still buy this if I can figure out a justification for another project.

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• Useless program

  kenand1March 13, 2012

  Pros

  I had nothing positive to say about this product but this site demands that something be entered in this space, so I will say that the advertising for Bento had pretty pictures on it.

  Cons

  I downloaded this program to try it and found that the tutorial videos did not work, and access to its "Forum" did not work. Plus there was no accessible "help' The problem seemed to be that although the app. went on line with no problem there was no working site for it to use.

  Summary

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• Designed to be a catch-all database, nice templates

  Durt_BaggDecember 14, 2011

  Pros

  Inexpensive, easy to use database.

  Cons

  Relies on iCal to show a month's of events? Why not build a calendar into Bento? I don't want to have to open multiple programs.

  Summary

  I've tried Daylite, which is costly, cumbersome in some ways, and Filemaker which is great but again relies on 3rd party for a simple calendar. I've settled on SOHO Organizer 9. BYW I am in remote insurance sales (WebEx, Email etc) so everything I do is on the phone and computer with email, calendar, and a customer database. I also liked Fantastical for a calendar.

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• Simple to use

  Mark Lewis--2008July 20, 2011

  Pros

  Easy to use

  Cons

  Too many restraints on formatting.

  Summary

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• Not what I was looking for

  PoupicJuly 15, 2011

  Pros

  Might be great for someone else

  Cons

  I was looking for a simple database, nothing fancy. Bento relates to too many programs. I deleted it

  Summary

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• Replacement for Appleworks Data Base

  wlanceJune 25, 2011

  Pros

  Does just what I need to replace Appleworks.

  Cons

  None so far.

  Summary

  Because Appleworks will no longer work under Lion, I needed a new data base.

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• Broke compatibility with the old Bento App for iphone

  mail196March 20, 2011

  Pros

  none at all

  Cons

  Didn't want to upgrade but I was forced too because I updated my iphone app and syncing between the two was broken. Feel like I just got robbed.

  Summary

  Hate this company now

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• Version 4.0.2 works OK

  johnsonenmMarch 19, 2011

  Pros

  Downloaded and upgraded with no problem

  Cons

  Nothing yet.

  Summary

  Version 4.0.2 seems to have fixed the complaints noted by earlier reviewers.

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