Monday, May 23, 2005

Attention Mac-heads

Apple may use Intel chips for Macs

3 comments:

pi22seven said...

You posted this for Lisa and I didn't you?

This has long been a rumor.

But as the story states, there's way too much code that would have to be changed to allow Apple's OS X to run on the X86 chip.

It could be done but what would the gain be?

Many people argue that if the Mac OS could finally be available to all the Windows users to use, Apple's market share would grow.

But these people miss the most important fact. Unlike Microsoft, Apple is a hardware manufacturer. The majority of it's cash come from selling computers (including the iPod which is a computer) not software.

When you see both companies do you also see that they aren't in competition in the OS arena. You could argue that they aren't in competition at all.

So the likleyhood of OS X being ported to run on X86 chips is very, very small. In fact, most analyst believe that if Apple ported their OS to x86 chips Apple hardware sales would plummet sending the company into a deadly downward spiral.

Personally I think that Apple is putting feelers out to see if other chip companies are willing to manufacture the current and future PowerPC chip family.

Whatever the reason for the rumor, it's sure to light a fire under IBM's ass.

Richard said...

You are right, I did post this to see what you and Lisa had to say. And I think you are 100% right, no arguments. Apples greatest asset has always been that hardware component, but it has also been a great stumbling block for mass sales. I do wonder what would happen if Apple would enter the true OS arena and program for Intel PC chips.

LisaPal said...

My little typing fingers and I thank you, pi22seven, for such a fine response.