Steve Jobs says that Apple will not stop MS Windows users from installing the OS on the new Mac Intels. You can read more about it here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/11/technology/11apple.html
On one hand, I think this is totally disappointing. The "Mac cult" might well be on its way to die because a Mac will not be specifically for "Macers" anymore and this can be dangerous for Apple (imagine computer shops buying MacBooks and iMac hardware but shipping them to customers as Windows machines and this might and will happen because Apple is putting no restrictions on the hardware).
On the other hand this is a good thing for many people as well as for Apple:
- for Switchers: this would be a good way to be able get used to the Mac and OS X while still being able to use their preferred operating system (Windows). However this might be a strategy used by Apple: make sure that users get gradually used to OS X and later on, produce chips that would not allow the use of Windows on the Mac-Intel hardware.
- for people already using the Mac hardware: many times at work, school, and Game Lan parties, we are forced to use Windows based computers either for compatibility issues or just because as a programmer, one is developing software requiring DLLs, Windows registry and so on or even worse, because no computer not running Windows is accepted in certain work places. Those situations force many of us to either own 2 laptops or to constantly switch between computers at home and at work. The result: PIM data (contacts, emails, notes, calendar items) not in sync. Other problems arise when for example using hardware such as Windows based smartphones and Windows based PDAs, etc... With the new hardware, there is opportunity to own any secondary device, all working nicely with the same base station (new iMac or MacBook Pro) and just switching between Operating Systems depending on the situation (perfect for gamers, no compatibility issue in the workplace, etc...).
- for Apple: by offering hardware on which any major Operating System can be installed (OS X, Windows, *Nix), Apple is being really competitive on that part of the IT market. If they play it right, it will probably jumpstart their sales to new heights.
- Ooh and did I mention cost saving? Many people will complain that the new hardware being more expensive than usual notebooks. However the cost saving in owning two machines is much much greater. Think about it....
As a conclusion: this is all still new for all of us and we will have to wait and see how Apple plays it's game. It's their arena, it's their show. However, they need to be careful about Microsoft. Although Microsoft does not necessarily produce the best software, they still have quite a large share of the market and they now have the chance to compete on the same ground as Apple software: the hardware.
P.S.: I really dislike the new name (MacBook Pro). I mean Powerbook as a name used to make us -Powerbook Users- feel POWERful! But then again, they're not using the PPC architecture anymore so they had to find a new name. I am not too sure but I think the "Power" in Powerbook actually comes from the type of architecture they were using.
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One thing though, it's going to be easy to give something but to take it back, it will be harder. In this case I mean support for Windows. I don't they'll [Apple] ever discontinue support for Windows.
ReplyDeleteI mean JP is right, it will certainly increase Apple's share of the market with the most difference being made to those who are switchers by giving them the flexibility to choose what OS to run.
I think what we really want to see in this industry is a reasonable division of the market share. I'm not saying (at least for the time being) that Microsoft will totally die like in the next 10 years, but instead that a good 35-40% market share be achieved and maintained because let's face it, competition encourages growth and increases the quality of the service or product.
All along we've been seeing Microsoft dominating the market and as a result the company has had some awful business practices in the past few years, blame greed if you will, it's only saviour being it's $50 billion cash in the bank to get it past all those lawsuits.
So, like many things I believe this is part of the same strategy that spawned the Ipod and the Mac Mini. Let me elaborate the Ipod certainly got Apple the attention it deserved by combining new music technology with the legendary Apple brand. The same with the Mac Mini, many people (including myself, after only just having bought another computer 2 months prior)decided to join the band because it was a)cheaper b)a small package that plays with the psychology of humans and easily convinces us and c)if you're kind of into computers you would see this Apple tidal wave coming in and you'd want be there.
Let me summarize: The new system is good for swtichers.
It will encourage people to compare side-by-side Windows and Mac OS X.
The new system will seduce people in using Mac OS X but will it really foster growth, such as in the area of games, i.e. people will still run Windows for games?
You can't support Windows today (do you think Apple really wants to) and not support it the next year - you will have some very angry customers.
Well anyway even those points are subject to change and everything is in fact a matter of time and what happens in the next 6 months.