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Posted on 06/22/2006 1:20:41 AM PDT by Swordmaker
Like Apple, Microsoft is also acting upon competitive pressures -- but Apple is going after Goliath while Microsoft is trying to protect its flank. It feels threatened by open source software, such as Linux. Linux and programs that run under it are also typically much less expensive than Windows and Windows programs.
"Warning: Flying Pig Sighted" and "Hell Freezes Over" were among the many headlines of computer publication articles and online posts about two recent even s that have shaken the computer world.
Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) , Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) , and the Linux community, longtime adversaries offering largely incompatible computing platforms, are putting aside some differences for the sake of computer users. This is creating a new set of decisions that savvy computer users, and those responsible for them, should examine.
Strategy, Not Charity
Apple started the ball rolling last year when it announced it was moving to Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) chips, which have traditionally been used to power most Windows PCs. Then in April of this year, it announced the free download of Boot Camp software to let Windows XP run on Intel-based Macs.
Meanwhile, Microsoft announced in April that it would begin providing technical support to some users of Linux, the open source operating system that's a competitor to Windows. Specifically, Microsoft will support Linux running on Microsoft Virtual Server.
Microsoft also created a Web site, Port 25, to facilitate communication with Microsoft customers using Linux and other open source software.
Both Apple and Microsoft are making these moves for strategic rather than altruistic reasons -- but users will have more options, and that is a good thing.
Mac Users Get It All
With only about a 2 percent share of the personal computer market, Apple has been trying unsuccessfully for years to persuade users of Windows PCs to switch to more user-friendly and reliable -- though more pricey -- Macs.
The Mac's unique selling proposition has always been that it's different, and, by extension, Mac users are different and more discriminating. Now Mac users will be able to run Windows as well as the Mac operating system on their beloved Macs, along with the many Windows-only programs.
Apple has tried in the past to become more of a standard, briefly allowing other companies to make Mac clones.
This latest gambit appears to be an acknowledgment that for better or worse, Windows is the standard -- so why not let Mac users have their cake and eat it too?
Apple is hoping that more people in business, educational and home settings will now opt for a Mac rather than a Windows PC.
Microsoft Under the Gun
Running Windows on a Mac isn't risk-free, however. There are security issues and hardware requirements. The computer news and information site Cnet has put together a FAQ to address these concerns.
As a testimony to how fast things move in the computer and computer publishing industry, about a week after the release of Apple's Boot Camp, book publisher O'Reilly announced the availability of a book about installation and operation. The book is in the form of a US$7.99 PDF download.
Like Apple, Microsoft is also acting upon competitive pressures -- but Apple is going after Goliath while Microsoft is trying to protect its flank.
It feels threatened by open source software, such as Linux. Linux and programs that run under it are also typically much less expensive than Windows and Windows programs.
Despite opening up to it, Microsoft doesn't like Linux. With its Get the Facts campaign, it disseminates information trying to dissuade people from using Linux.
Its new effort still promotes the use of Microsoft products, specifically those to manage Linux. Commendably, Microsoft also wants to help Microsoft and Linux products run smoothly on the same network.
Macs for Everyone
What all this means is that there's less reason than ever to stick with Windows just because it's the standard.
The Mac isn't only for educational users and those in the art and design communities. You can run thousands of Mac business programs on the Mac -- and now with Boot Camp, you can also run many more Windows programs as well.
Linux also deserves a serious look for business users running networks and small business and home users. Linux distributions from Red Hat (Nasdaq: RHAT) and Novell (Nasdaq: NOVL) , for instance, largely overcome the greater challenges in installing and using Linux.
Linux Online offers comprehensive information and resources about Linux, including Linux distributions and application programs.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has delayed the release of Windows Vista, the next version of its Windows operating system, until next year. It's still unclear what improvements Windows Vista will have over Windows XP, the Mac or Linux. What is clear, though, is that the options make computing, and the choices surrounding it, more interesting than ever.
How to triple-boot Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows XP on an Apple Mac
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Triple boot XP, OSX, and Linux on an PC. It can be done =]
Not legally - and not after Apple puts in some additional barriers with 10.5.
10.4 is the last system that will boot on an unmodified PC.
-ccm
The iPod and iTunes accounts for only about 1/3rd of Apple's revenue... the rest comes from its computers. It is doing quite well.
Mac demand may offset iPod sales
Some salient quotes:
""UBS analyst Ben Reitzes today predicted sequentially lower iPod sales for Apple in the third quarter of this year, but expects new iPods next quarter and noted that MacBook demand is solid. 'To reflect checks that indicate more interest for new MacBooks and solid education buying, we are raising our 3Q06 estimate for Mac units to 1.32 million units (was 1.24 million) and our FY06 unit estimate to 5.1 million (was 5.0 million),' Reitzes wrote in a research note obtained by MacNN. 'We now estimate iPod unit sales of 7.8 million for 3Q06 (was 8.4 million) reflecting year over year growth of 27 percent (-8 percent quarter over quarter) and FY06 unit sales of 39.8 million (was 40.9 million).' UBS is maintaining a 'buy' rating for Apple shares with a price target of $90, hovering above its peers due to faster growth and higher margins," MacNN reports . . .. . . For every 75,000 Macs sold, Apple earns $100 million in revenue (not including attach rates for software, service, and peripherals), while every 500,000 iPods equates to approximately $100 million in revenue, according to the firm. . . .
"UBS has noted a shift in consumer interest toward Macs and away from iPod display counters at Apple retail locations. Mac displays appear 'jammed' with customers, while iPod displays are less frequented than previous quarters, according to the company," MacNN reports. 'While we believe increased focus on Macs should drive solid near term results, we also believe increased interest in Macs should lead to longer term PC market share gains, which we believe can provide significant top line benefits and earnings power," Reitzes added."
I put SUSE 10 Linux (with the KDE interface) on my wife's Internet machine and I'm impressed. The big problem with Linux isn't the OS itself, at least in this version, but the lack of third-party support. If Photoshop -- and a bunch of drivers -- came in Linux, I'd drop Windows entirely.
OTOH, I just bought an Intel Mac mini, but have not set up the windoze crap yet. Several of the travel agency sites require the use of windoze, so I decided it was the best way to skin the cat. I just hate the idea of gving any credence to Gates and company, when I already use the best system on the market.
I just want to make sure I don't need an IT department added, to keep up with the garbage that windoze will bring!
Yeah, they've only been around 20 years, and that's not nearly long enough to establish any kind of reputation or solid base. Too bad they couldn't have gotten a more solid footing in the personal computer market like, umm, IBM.
Until Apple chooses to unbundle the OS. The industry betting is 3 to 1 that Apple will sell OSX for PCs by the end of next year.
How many times have we heard that prediction over the decades? Currently, Wall Street says Apple's iPod business is slowing down, and their Mac business is picking up. The Mac business is profitable, healthy and growing.
Even the most diehard Microsoft customers are getting tired of advice like "a full reformat is good for the computer every two years anyway..." That is why the Apple Stores are full of Windows users buying their first Macs. If you want a computer that just works, get a Mac.
Why is this myth still being preached??? Comparing features and such, you find that Apple prices are comparable to PC prices in most categories - ie. The High-end professional desktop from most PC manufacturers are very close to the comparable high-end PowerMac.... The laptop market is very similar - my little iBook I bought back in February was comparable in price to a similar "quality"(using the term loosely for many PC laptops) and featured PC laptop.
For the mid-level consumer - the iMac is comparable to a similarly equipped PC (how many all-in-one PC's with similar features are there?). And this goes all the way to the diminuative Mini ----
You ripped that right out of the technology headlines..... from 10 years ago, didn't you?!
Ha! I know lots of Windows users who would be happy to see their system stay stable even for two months.
I think the next year or two are going to be an interesting time in corporate IT. When top brass figures out that half of their IT expenditures are for weeding out Windows spyware and viruses, maybe we'll see a lot of companies dump the feeble crapware. If Apple could perfect their enterprise servers, a trickle could become a flood, but even replacing desktops only would lead to significant savings in total cost of ownership.
With Intel processors and Windows virtualization, there is nothing an average business user needs to do that can't be done on a Mac. And there'd be a hell of a lot less hand-holding and spyware gardening necessary.
The fairly trivial difference in hardware prices would be more than recouped by the ability to slash IT support staff significantly. (Which is one of the main reasons there is still so much resistance to non-Microsoft solutions in business: jobs for the boys.)
Proof of what? That Apple will unbundle the OS? No one can prove that until it happens, or until next year passes and it doesn't happen.
Proof that industry insiders are betting on it? Check out the July issue of Maximum PC.
When Apple announced a move to Intel chips I posted my bet that Macs would be running Windows this year, and that prediction was ignored.
Now Macs are running Windows, and key professional apps like Photoshop are running under an Intel emulator. The Windows versions are faster on Mac hardware until a native MacIntel version is finished next year.
If the Mac OS is not released for generic PCs, it will die.
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I think Mac won't make it long term with their computers.
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Yeah, a twenty-eight year flash in the pan.
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