They did not intentionally lock out OS 9 - they just didn't update the Open Firmware to support OS 9 on certain new models when they were released. However, Apple did continue to sell some models that could boot OS 9 until Quark was updated to run Mac OS X. And Mac OS X always contained OS 9 Classic Mode for running old applications. The PowerPC Macs included 68000 emulation for really old apps, but the Intel Macs do not.
The new Intel Macs do not contain BIOS out of the box - they boot with Intel's EFI system. But EFI can include a "legacy BIOS" system, and Apple's Boot Camp software installs that BIOS which can boot Windows, Linux or other PC type operating systems.
^^^^^^^^^^They did not intentionally lock out OS 9 - they just didn't update the Open Firmware to support OS 9 on certain new models when they were released.^^^^^^^^^^
That's pretty much a glass half empty/full type of attitude.
So it's not what apple did, but rather what they didn't do? I really don't see the difference considering how much people pay for these machines. I could see them cutting this support on the ibooks and imac lines, but not the power lines of products.
Have you ever seen someone get fired from their job for what they *didn't* do? Yeah, either way it's the consequences of such actions that create problems.
^^^^^^^^^^Apple did continue to sell some models that could boot OS 9 until Quark was updated to run Mac OS X.^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah, they did. However, they should've waited until G5 machines to do........... errr..... Not do what they should've done. It's just good customer service.