“Even if Apple secretly is contemplating an OS coup, it is likely that the company also is wondering how to woo Windows users and promise them minimal hassle. And that, said Gartner analyst Michael Silver, is the rub,” Elizabeth Millard writes for NewsFactor.
“Apple Computer executives have said that the company will not license out its OS for Intel-based PCs, but that has not stopped speculation that Apple will pursue that strategy to go after the Microsoft Windows empire,” Millard writes. “If Apple does — and it would not be the first time the company has voiced denials all the way up to a product launch or a new direction — it could make for quite a battle in the OS world.”
Millard writes, “In some ways, such a fight would harken back to the industry’s early days, with Bill Gates and Steve Jobs duking it out for market share, but this time Apple could have several new advantages. Not only has the company raised its public profile through the iPod, but also its hardware has become more appealing to the masses rather than staying a darling of niche markets.”
“If Apple did end up licensing the OS, it is likely that many companies that wanted to take advantage of such an arrangement would have to create workarounds to run its software, similar to how some might be employing Linux- and Windows-based applications in the same environment,” Millard writes.
Full article here.
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As CNET’s Ina Fried reported following Apple CEO Steve Jobs announcement of the transition from PowerPC to Intel-based Macs:
After Jobs’ presentation, Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller addressed the issue of running Windows on Macs, saying there are no plans to sell or support Windows on an Intel-based Mac. “That doesn’t preclude someone from running it on a Mac. They probably will,” he said. “We won’t do anything to preclude that.” However, Schiller said the company does not plan to let people run Mac OS X on other computer makers’ hardware. “We will not allow running Mac OS X on anything other than an Apple Mac,” he said. Full article here.
It seems Millard’s article misses this crucial information. The ability to run Windows and Mac OS X only on Apple Macs could drastically alter the personal computing landscape. Apple doesn’t need to license Mac OS X to other vendors. Other vendors will need to figure out a way to compete with Apple Macs that can run Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux flavors. We don’t see how other vendors will be able to compete with Apple, especially if users can run Windows in a protected Mac OS X environment with no performance hit.
This idea doesn’t kill Microsoft right away (eventually it will, though, as users compare Mac OS X to Windows and end up using Windows less and less until they realize they don’t need Windows at all), but Dell, HP, Gateway, Acer, etc. wouldn’t fare every well pretty much immediately. You think Mac market share is growing rapidly now? Just wait.
Buyers could soon have the choice between buying a Mac that runs both Windows and Mac OS X or buying a butt-ugly, cheaply-made Dell and only being able to run Windows. Can anyone explain why would anyone in their right mind would buy a Dell or any other Wintel box assembler’s kit again? This could become “license Mac OS X or die” for the Dells of the world. But, what if Steve Jobs doesn’t feel like licensing Mac OS X? Checkmate. Is it too early to suggest that Michael Dell shut down the company and give the money back to shareholders?
Wait until Wall Street finally figures this one out.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Intel-based Macs running both Mac OS X and Windows will be good for Apple – June 10, 2005
Why buy a Dell when Apple ‘Macintel’ computers will run both Mac OS X and Windows? – June 08, 2005
Windows users who try Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger might not want to go back – June 07, 2005
It’s just amazing to me that we are even realistically discussing this as a real possibility and not just hyperbole. I mean even the most zealous (informed) Mac user 5 years ago would secretly have thought to themselves that the Mac would never be able to gain significant market share, and yet here we are.
I friggin love it.
A Dual Boot Mactel doesn’t solve any of two crucial issues:
-Multiple hardware providers for the Enterprise.
-Hardware configuration flexibility beyond Apple’s offerings.
Myself I’d like an Athlon-based ShuttlePC running OS X instead of my Mac towers at home and at my job.
I don’t care if Mac wins the OS wars or not. Apple has won in my world since I surf virus free, block popups, stay free of spyware, edit hd video, and connect seemlessly to my network at work. I do everything easier and faster than my pc coworkers, while feeling smug that I have the coolest notebook on the planet.
The Grim: There’s a restock fee if the box has been opened. If the new model comes out within two weeks of purchase, you have either (don’t recall which) two more weeks, or 30 days, to bring it back. Switcher should still be within the window. At least if he bought from an Apple Store. Not sure about third party dealers.
Check out Apple’s on-line store for terms, or your sales receipt if bought from an Apple Store.
PS: Apple is NOT going to license MacOS X, and no, there is not a lot of money in it for Apple (because there is more money in selling Mac’s than in selling MacOS X).
Fred, you might want to be careful with “Dell is already suffering from razor-thin margins.”
Dell puts more on the bottom line (as a percent of revenue) than does Apple, even with Apple’s higher margins. This is because Dell’s operating costs are amortized over a much greater gross revenue.
As Apple continues to grow you will see a deterioration in its gross margins, and at the same time, an increase in earnings (as a percent of gross revenue. Apple product pricing will decline ever so slightly as this occurs, maybe 3% – 5%.
That will do two things: it will make Apple’s margins “razor” thin, and it will put a hurt on Dell because its margins are already razor thin.
As for the time frame to grab 10% share I think any estimate greater than 3 years is way to conservative.
10% is the holy grail in share. It is the critical mass point where share begets share.
There is just toooooo much money to be made by licensing Mac OSX to other PC makers to ignore
—
The company’s been around 30 years, you think they’re going to wake up one day and totally change their philosophy?!
-Hardware configuration flexibility beyond Apple’s offerings.
—
this is way overrated for guys like Dell, HP etc.. the real world isn’t as ‘open’ as you think it is.. only with bit players like.. er.. gateway? or shuttle would you have that level of openness. totally independent of the OS.
GAR missed one important item:
Dude, why does anyone buy a Dell now?
1. Price
2. It’s what I use at the office.
3. I copy software apps from work for my home PC.
Until those three things change, most people will still buy Dells.
Apple’s success depends on their ability to compete with Exchange Server and Office suite.
How about a $399 Office package for OS X Server, and offer up a user version for $99? Apple is quietly adding apps that can do everything Office can do. The only thing left is integrating the products.
Mail > Outlook Mail
iCal > Outlook Calendar + Tasks
iChat > MSN Messenger
Word > Pages
Safari > Explorer
Address Book > Outlook Address Book
Stickies > Outlook Notes
Keynote > Powerpoint
Pages > Word
AppleWorks > Excel
Integrating all of Apple’s products would definitely kill Microsoft in quick fashion. The server version needs to be easily configurable for IT personnel, like Exchange Server.
The iPod could be utilized with iSync to move all of your iWorks suite (possible name) files back and forth from office and home computer.
Another route would be to buy Novell, and offer their Office Suite and integrate their Server version into the OS X Server software. (I thought this was going to happen when I saw the red curtains on the One More Thing invite)
Ciao.
rstrb8r
“WayOff”…it seems that you need to reread that book you are refering to.
Just goes to reinforce the dumb PC moron:
“A lady…was seen putting a credit card into her floppy drive and pulling it out very quickly. When I inquired as to what she was doing, she said she was shopping on the Internet and they kept asking for a credit card number, so she was using the ATM “thingy.” “
sigh
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I would love to see Apple win the OS war, once and for all!
Dude, why does anyone buy a Dell now?
1. Price
2. It’s what I use at the office.
3. I copy software apps from work for my home PC.
Until those three things change, most people will still buy Dells.
– – –
#3 – You’re kidding right. This has been easier to do on a mac since the bite was taken outta the apple!
“…since the bite was taken outta the apple!”
Sigh.
How many times must we review this, kids?
The divot in the Apple logo is NOT a bite.
It’s where the apple struck Sir Isaac Newton on the head.
In all this do not forget Intel is not all the PC market.
AMD market share is increasing, for performance machines AMD chips wipe the floor with Intel at the moment.
Apple on Intel would not have that high performance (at the moment, obviously who knows what lies ahead in processor wars).
Another key thing PC users are used to is easily adding cutting edge hardware, if Apple have any hope of getting Windows gamers they will need to ensure quick support for new graphics cards.
PC users are used to reasonable spec as standard – typical PC users look at macs with bemusement wondering why low end options are still CD – as DVD is minimum optical drive for a PC user looking to buy now (only question is what type of DVD drive), similarly they look at the weedy graphics card and memory offerings.
If Intel based mac carries on being several generations behind on hardware t will not attract PC users – if they do try oput Windows they will just see it perform badly as hardware requirements for windows are huge, especially if you look at forthcoming stuff such as Vista.
Many PC users expect to upgrade a bit of PC hardware before they upgrade to a new machine – I have never yet purchased a PC without adding at least some extra hardware. My last PC had extra memory, new graphics card, DVD drive (as at time of purchase DVD drives were silly money but later became cheap).
Apple on intel will need that same upgrade friendliness for many home users – I do not want to have to go to an authorised apple vendor (and be charged lots of cash) just to add a DVD drive, memory etc.
Magic word: British (did they geo check my IP address and pick something UK appropriate?)
Ian Adams – Absoutely great comments!! I love it!!
Dave Challender – Apple’s computers already use standard drives and memory.
I upgraded my 5 year old PowerBook with a NEC CD/DVD burner and added 768 MB of pc133 RAM.