I know that the kernel is *BSD, and I'm sure this is great, however only a few geeks know what it means. Besides, everything above the POSIX layer - and that is probably 90% of the code - is Apple's own.
Further, are you aware that the Apple Mac can run ALL Windows 95, 98, XP, ME, 2000, MS-DOS, LINUX, UNIX, and Mac OS X software simulataneously?
Just like any Windows or Linux box that can run all of the above, in VMware or any other virtualization layer. But the important fact is that Windows *doesn't need* this function, whereas on a Mac you must have it to run industry-standard software.
during this "belt tightening period" that Apple was the only computer company that CONSISTENTLY gained market share
Yes, by releasing and advertising personal products. They made zero inroads into business market, where most of computer sales are. I haven't seen a single Apple box in large companies for a decade.
Are you further aware that the majority of iPhone and iPad software is FREE?
Apple's software store is available only to iPhone users. I have to depend on what reviewers say. There are no statistics on prices, as far as Google knows.
Apple computers have consistently been shown to have a lower TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP than Windows PCs
Then I don't understand why every single corporation doesn't run entirely on Macs... they'd be fools to miss such a great deal :-)
Then you haven't been looking.
One of the biggest savings that results in the lower TCO is the ability to get rid of a lot of the IT department... and WHO gets to select what computers your company buys?