Apple OS X for Everyone?
Ever since Apple released the OS X Operating System, I have been speculating that they were probably working in secret on a version that will work on any Intel based platform. Little did I know that this speculation would come true in 2005 when Steve Jobs confirmed it. The only part of my speculation that was incorrect, was that OS X would only run on Apple Intel based machines.
Then I started to ponder why Apple wouldn't want to make OS X available to everyone. Sure there would be a lot of people who would jump at the chance to run an operating system other than Windows on their machines. I would be one of the very first people to do it!
One reason (and a good reason) is that Apple is a hardware manufacturer. They just also happen to make a really awesome operating system that complements the hardware very nicely! Apple makes the BMW and Mercedes of computers whereas the PC market is full of Kia's, Hundai's, and Daewoo's basically. Based on articles I have read, approximately 50% of Apple's revenue is generated by their hardware. I wouldn't want to take a 50% cut in my salary, would you? Not even a person making $50 million per year would want to take a pay cut!
Another good reason is that the OS X operating system would be a larger target to people who create viruses, worms, etc. I'm sure OS X has it's share of vunerabilities; however with Microsoft Windows being the top dog in the operating system world, everyone wants to "stick it to the man", and that man is Bill Gates.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Windows operating system. Well, I guess you could say it's a love/hate relationship. All of the computers I own are Windows based (with the exception of one week period where I actually owned an iMac before returning it to the Apple Store the following week).
I like the Mac, and I love the OS X operating system. If I could afford a new computer right about now, I would probably purchase a high end MAC. But I cannot afford a new computer at this time, so the only thing I can do is hope and pray that the all mighty Steve Jobs decides to take a bigger step and release OS X for all to enjoy.
Then I started to ponder why Apple wouldn't want to make OS X available to everyone. Sure there would be a lot of people who would jump at the chance to run an operating system other than Windows on their machines. I would be one of the very first people to do it!
One reason (and a good reason) is that Apple is a hardware manufacturer. They just also happen to make a really awesome operating system that complements the hardware very nicely! Apple makes the BMW and Mercedes of computers whereas the PC market is full of Kia's, Hundai's, and Daewoo's basically. Based on articles I have read, approximately 50% of Apple's revenue is generated by their hardware. I wouldn't want to take a 50% cut in my salary, would you? Not even a person making $50 million per year would want to take a pay cut!
Another good reason is that the OS X operating system would be a larger target to people who create viruses, worms, etc. I'm sure OS X has it's share of vunerabilities; however with Microsoft Windows being the top dog in the operating system world, everyone wants to "stick it to the man", and that man is Bill Gates.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Windows operating system. Well, I guess you could say it's a love/hate relationship. All of the computers I own are Windows based (with the exception of one week period where I actually owned an iMac before returning it to the Apple Store the following week).
I like the Mac, and I love the OS X operating system. If I could afford a new computer right about now, I would probably purchase a high end MAC. But I cannot afford a new computer at this time, so the only thing I can do is hope and pray that the all mighty Steve Jobs decides to take a bigger step and release OS X for all to enjoy.
2 Comments:
I have mixed feelings as to if I want to see OSX on PCs. I like the "whole widget" approach now in so far as I rarely (if ever) see a system crash! If we end up with an endless mix of hardware combinations I'm not sure that OSX wouldn't give up some stability. (*ANYTHING* is more stable than Windows ... as Linux has proven.)
The next few years are going to be interesting. Apple's in the Catbird seat right now and Microsoft has done nothing but disappoint over the past few years, and thier stock price reflects that. I don't see Vista (Longhorn) offering anything new and innovative.
By Ellis M., at 11/23/2005 10:40 AM
Vista (Longhorn) is offering something new.
A new, ugly, and annoying user interface.
By Dennis J. Patti, at 12/14/2005 8:53 AM
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