“RickGeek,” writing for Geek.com tries “to get a pulse on what people honestly think about Windows and the x86-based PC systems now that we’ve had a few years of Windows 95-like operating systems to work with, and to look back honestly on all of the problems that go with them, and to find out your thoughts on a possible escape route to jettison the Windows baggage once and for all.”
“Users of Windows XP know how much time they spend each week on Microsoft’s Windows Update website. And I doubt there are many of us not running some type of anti-virus program and/or pop-up/ad-blocker software, all of which take time away from our productivity,” RickGeek writes. “I’ve read about a few Mac viruses, but they’re nothing compared to Windows-based PCs where you have to perform updates on your anti-virus software every few hours every single day because there’s some new threat out there that’s been discovered–never mind the ones that haven’t been discovered yet, many of which are incredibly damaging before they’re fixed.”
MacDailyNews Note: There are no (0) Mac OS X viruses.
RickGeek continues, “Microsoft Windows-based operating systems have so many security holes in them that the time for a switch is now. I can’t imagine Windows Vista–Microsoft’s follow-up to Windows XP–solving any of these problems. The reason? Because Bill Gates is still the CSA (Chief Software Architect). And he already has a track record dating back 10 years (since Windows 95) showing that he doesn’t know how to write or buy systems that are secure. Buffer overruns going unchecked on incoming streams of data … what kind of programmer writing something as important as an operating system doesn’t think of such things?! It makes me angry to think about it. It’s inexcusable. Period.”
“In my opinion, Steve Jobs made a huge, HUGE mistake by not simply releasing OS X to operate on any PC-based architecture. He could’ve taken over the operating system world before Windows Vista even had a chance. He could’ve already had legions of crossover users following him holding little apples in their hands, myself included. Had he released a full version of Mac OS X to run on any x86-based system, his revenue streams would be through the roof today, let alone next year,” RickGeek writes. “Steve, are you listening? Are you even remotely in tune with the needs of PC users? Are you listening to what I and many others are saying? We need your product. We need its stability, features, and ease of use. Release OS X for everybody to use on any x86-based PC. The legions that will crossover, probably overnight, will put money in your pocket beyond your wildest dreams… Windows’ days are over. The time for a switch to a reliable, user-friendly operating system is now. Bye bye, Bill.”
Much more in the full article (with a must-read reader comments section that illustrates just how much work Apple has to do to overcome Joe Windows Sufferer’s massive Apple, Mac, Mac OS X ignorance) here.
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Another PC-head who doesn’t quite “get it” (yet). Glad to see you’re starting to see the light. Now, come on over and bathe in it, RickGeek!
Why doesn’t he just buy a Mac????
Right on.
I’m bored already.
Panther is for the most part, better than Tiger.
Meh.
Here’s a cluestick for Rick: The price of admission to the virus-free zone is a Macintosh.
As in… viruses on a machine 10 years ago, with the Mac name, but no relation to the current OS? Viruses that CANNOT infect any current Mac?
Anyway, welcome to the best consumer UNIX!
I would never go back to Panther. Tiger is far superior.
Read the comments to the article.
100% ignorant, 100% anti-Mac, and 90% just plain wrong facts.
People really REALLY get scared at the idea that Microsoft might have the worse product.
But they do.
What can Dell, HP, Gateway, or eMachine do that is exactly better than how Apple operates? I have plenty of headaches with musicans I don’t need a fincky computer to add to my list of worries. Open hardware = thousands of new drivers and hundreds hours wasted shifting through them.
Part of the reason the Mac is so much more stable is the fact that Apple controls the entire experience. Apple hardware/Apple Software/Apple Operating System.
I believe that you could run OSX on an Intel PC somehow but you will likely have issues with drivers and third party devices (like Windows does – in fact is almost a miracle that Windows works as well as it does). This will hurt the reputation of OSX ant it is probably why Apple doesn’t want to go there. It would basically be a mediocre user experience and SJ doesn’t want to be mediocre and is willing to lose market share to prove it. I respect that but it does make me wonder. If Apples just would….
My 2 cents.
Yeah, well, Geekyboy, with share prices around $73, it is clear to everyone that Steve Jobs screwed up big time.
Now, repeat after me: Apple is a hardware producer.
Just because you’re too cheap to buy a decent computer does not mean Apple has to support you.
The momentum switch is beginning, albeit slowly. It is great to see that people, hardcore PC-people, beginning to realize that there is better out there. But the situation is more of a Catch-22.
Here’s how it breaks down, it has been said before, for Apple to reap the benefits of a major market share gain—which most people think of about 30 to 50% jump in about a year, if not less—would be the death of ANY company. Demand would suffocate supply; yes, it is economic termonology, but think of it this way: to get the amount of users to switch in such a short time, Apple would run into damaging issues. Most obviously would be supply of Macs. We would be reading about the complaints about the lack of supply of machines to satisfy demand. This, of course, would ease over time, but think about the chain that goes into creating supply; which leads to the next issue.
Quality of manufacturing would most certainly fall. With the pressure to get Macs out into the stores, and people’s homes, there would be another uproar about why the touted quality that Macs have enjoyed are no longer present. (Best comparision: purchasing an eMachine, it’s cheap, but you pay in the long run. Don’t get me started on that crap.)
Of which leads to the next issue, Support. With all the new users that will be demanding to get their Macs fixed, an overload will be likely, which could lead to criticism against the shining reputation that AppleCare currently enjoys. Do I need to say “Tech Support”?
Next we come to quality of software. With the introduction of an OS X86, the amount of support that would be requried to support the wide array of configurations would lead to a finiancial drain, if Apple were to continue AppleCare in the same manner, that it would end in bankruptcy and truly kill Apple. Hence, why hardware and software are an integrated system for a Mac. A user will know that, with confidence, that the computer that a user will purchase from Apple will work out of the box and into the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th years of operation. To clarify, a Mac can run and endure changes that can happen within a 6 year lifespan. (I state this from personal experience. I have used an iBook—Blueberry G3 333MHz—and ran OS 8 to OS X 10.3.) No “PC” can even come close in making such a claim—their lifespan is usually 2 to 3 years, at maximum.
Overall, with all the potential “bad blood” that will be spilled by having a company that grows seemingly overnight, it can be said that having a sharp growth of market share would make Apple turn into Microshquish; in reputation, at least.
Finally, There is one factor that is consistenly ignored: the Lowest Common Denominator. Essentially the moronic, idiotic, and plain stupidity that is present when dealing within Retail Business. As a salesman in a local hardware store, I see this everyday. It is such a taboo subject, that noone dares to mention it. But it is a prime aspect of operation. What I am talking about is people who are going to try to get the most for the least. Perfect example, within hardware stores anyway, is “the unoffical rental policy”: when a customer purchases a tool then brings it back—usually the next day( or even that same day)—with obvious indications of wear from use; aka a wrench that has scratches and a wiped grease stain. This translates into inexperienced users expecting more than what they pay for. They purchase an eMachine being brainwashed into thinking that it is “just as good as a Mac”, either by a brainwashed salesman trying to get his numbers up, or a closed minded, “hardcore” PC person who doesn’t know the truth of Mac ownership because he has not experienced both sides of the field.
To summarize, now that I have written a three page essay
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”smile” style=”border:0;” /> Apple is doing well to keep a slower paced growth model. For the Mac Geeks/Geniuses/Addicts out there, it would be nice to have a jump in market share, but in the way that everything currently operates, such a growth spurt would hurt everyone.
i dont agree with this article…macs are not pc’s. I hope Jobs doesn’t whore out his beautimus OS. go mac and dont look back!
MW: easy as in: “dont be an easy mark”
All these PC drones calling for Apple to release OSX for X86 have NO FRIGGIN CLUE what they are talking about.
First of all allowing it to run on any hardware will diminish the user experience and the quality of the product.
Secondly the entire reason they want it for any PC hardware is because of this ongoing moronic mentality that Apple hardware is more expensive. It’s not, and PC dorks need to get over it and actually compare feature sets instead of drooling every time they see a Dell ad that promises them a 399$ PC that somehow never can be found on their website.
Thirdly, if they STILL object to buying Apple hardware because they have no need to at this time, all I can say is if they all have this delusion that VISTA or whatever they are calling it this week isn’t going to require all new hardware, then perhaps they are the ones who should stop drinking Kool-Aid.
yep , it’s cost of long term ownershop thats the pcs real problem
hidden costs and hidden problems
dell hide it all behind that big $399 sign
If Steve Jobs released Mac OS X for all PC”s, it probably wouldn’t have the stability that it does today. Locking it to Apple’s hardware ensures stability. Maybe in the future, Steve will released Mac OS X for a few “select” PC companies.
Dear hagar57:
HEY, ASSHOLE, REPEAT AFTER ME, “APPLE MAKES GREAT SOFTWARE!”
You do Apple a grevious injustice when all you can see is the goddamn box dipshit.
Sorry, I don’t usally go off like that, my blood sugar is off a bit.
Steve, please don’t sell out to junky Dell! I NEED a stable OS like Tiger and a well built machine like the Mac for my life to run well. I DON’T MIND being in a smaller “elite Apple club”! Money is not an issues. Don’t listen to the cheap RickGeek morons who are so blind as to not to be able to see the difference between a a nicely built Mac/OSX and a piece of crap called DELL.
Apple, follow the game plane of SJ!
FIND: as in RickGeek, find your mama and cry on her lap, please!
I have a couple of comments:
When these “journalists” mention there are a few Mac viruses, why don’t they name just one of them? I’m fscking serious, name one. I have searched for them – because I seriously want to know if any exist – so I can avoid them and/or eradicate them if I get one. I have yet to find anything except a couple of trojans that are easily avoided. Where are the OS X viruses?
Why does anyone think that Steve Jobs gives a flying fsck about Windows users? They made their choice already. Steve cares about making great products. He doesn’t need to sell OS X to every PC user. Look at how much Apple has grown in the last two years. He is making money hand over fist and he is making great products at the same time.
Linux is perfectly stable in numerous x86-configurations. Why do you think that OS X for x86 would be any worse?
i think it will be inevetable that mac os will be licensed just not in the way windows does, i think that when apple have the x86 spec down and stable apple will release the third parties tieing them to a set base spec, from then on, upgrades such as processor, graphics card etc etc will be upto them, apple will still make profit by taking a good percentage from the fee the computer makers, and will prob continue to make the finest computers known to man
or not, we’ve seen how apple are with the ipod
RickGeek writes. “I’ve read about a few Mac viruses”
Sure, we’ve all read about Mac viruses. They’re frequently talked about by people with no understanding of Macs.
But nobody has ever experienced an OS X virus.
I’ve also read about Father Christmas and also the tooth fairy, but I haven’t actually encountered them in real life.
Hey reverse thrust, you seem to be a bit challenged both linguistically and on the cogitive side. So let me explain in more detail:
Yes Apple makes great software. But their money comes, for the most part, from hardware sales. To further simplify: they make all this great software for the sole purpose to help sell the great hardware, i.e. computers and iPods. That’s why they are a hardware producer and have no interest in distributing their operating system to PC cheapos. Got it?
Next time, don’t shout. You are being impolite.
MW: sales, as in hardware sales.
Linux is better than Windows and it is available for installation on any PC but it is not taking the “PC” market by storm….
Re: Linux
Most people are prepared to make the jump from Windows to Mac OSX (if they keep their existing hardware spend) because OSX has all the familiar programs available for it. They don’t quite get that projects like Wine will allow software such as Photoshop, Office etc. to run on Linux.
Now I know that OSX is always going to be easier to use and configure than Linux, but if I was stuck with a bunch of x86 hardware that I didn’t want to get rid of yet, Linux would be such a step up from Windows, it would be straight on my system, at least until it was time to replace the system unit.