Will Apple Adopt Windows?

[Nomad559]

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1927885,00.asp

Bigger companies than Apple have dropped their proprietary OSs in favor of Windows—think IBM and OS/2. IBM also jumped on the Linux bandwagon over its own AIX version of Unix. Business eventually trumps sentimentality in any large company.

Another issue for Apple is that the Intel platform is wide open, unlike the closed proprietary system Apple once had full control over. With a proprietary architecture, Apple could tweak the OS for a controlled environment without worrying about the demands of a multitude of hardware add-ons and software subsystems.

Windows, as crappy as many believe it to be, actually thrives in this mishmash architecture. Products, old and new, have drivers for Windows above all else. By maintaining its own OS, Apple would have to suffer endless complaints about peripherals that don't work.

[TommyO]

1. This is one of Dvorak's more mindless trolls

OS X is one of Apple's major strengths, and the reason I switched a month ago! Dvorak is doing what he does best, shooting off his mouth, without engaging his brain.

[reprobate]

2. Actually, I think it will be the other way.

There will come a hack that allows OS X to run on windows machines. Let's face the fact, and I think everyone here will agree, once a user tries OS X going back to windows is like swimming in a septic tank. You just feel dirty.

I believe that Jobs real reason for switching to Intel was to have a chance to kick windows ass.

[GoneOffShore]

3. Apple went after someone under the DCMA

for posting hacks to run the Mac OS on non Mac hardware.

sorry I can't provide a link.

Mac has actually planted a poem in the OS about not trying to hack the OS.

[reprobate]

4. There's a rumor in the publications that apple will release a universal

version of the OS with an upcoming iPod update. I know it sounds radical, but I give Steve Jobs full credit for being among the savviest businessmen in the computer industry.

I think there is no doubt in anyone's mind that the OS X system is superior in almost every way to the windows OS. As I've said befoe, those who've tried it don't go back to windows. I think that Jobs will take advantage of this. I believe that he will find a way to put OS X in the hands of windows users, at least on a temporary trial basis. If he does that, he will own the operating system market.

OS X is far cheaper off the shelf than windows, so it has that adventage. And it does not need the supercomputer graphic hardware that Longhorn does to run, but will work well on slower average user machines. Jobs knows this better than anyone, and I believe he will find a way to get it into the hands of the average user. If he does that he will own the market.

At least that's my opinion.

[LeftCoast]

5. Generally, I like Dvorak but this has to be one of the stupidest articles

he's ever written. He seems to completely lack an understanding of OS X. Not to mention, the fact that his main agrument "Windows works better with peripherals" is just wrong. As a recent convert to the Mac world, I have to say I've spent many many hours with my old PC trying to get computer to work with networks and peripherals that have been advertised as "Plug 'n Play". One example, we have a PC-based network here at home and every time I've connected a new PC to it, it's taken a couple of days to work out all the bugs. When I bought my new Mac Mini :love: I plugged in the ethernet cable and was connected to the entire network (including shares) within about an hour. My partner who runs and designed the network just about fell out of his chair when he saw how easy it was.

[Ezlivin]

6. Apple to release Universal Computer in June?

I'm waiting for Apple to unveil a computer that can run multiple operating systems simultaneously. Imagine owning one computer that could natively run OS X, Windows and Linux without emulation.

If the "U.C." could do this, Apple may have a computer as popular as its iPod.

Perhaps Apple (read: Steve Jobs) secret plan is to make Windows just another OS for your computer. And your computer in this case just happens to be the Apple U.C.

[alfredo]

7. Apple has been able to run Linux for years.

There are several flavors of PPC Linux. Debian and BSD have ports.

I believe Gentoo is booting on the Intel Macs already.



YDL - Yellow Dog Linux

http://www.yellowdoglinux.com/index.shtml/

[Rob H.]

8. This is the same guy who didn't think the iMac or iBook or iPod

would succeed. Dvorak doesn't, and never did, know know his ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to his mind-blowingly idiotic columns critiquing Apple. In almost all of his major predictions about Apple (including one in which he said Apple would never release a video iPod) he has been dead wrong.

[benburch]

9. When pigs fly. nt