“One of the big stories in technology this year has been Apple’s decision to move its Macintosh line of computers to Intel processors. This has been a big deal because for the longest time Apple was the one major vendor that used something different: the PowerPC chip. But things are changing, and Apple has already moved three of its lines of machines to the Intel processor,” Michael Miller writes for The Toronto Star. “But what really sets the Mac apart is its unique software, which Apple has also moved to the Intel processor. All these machines come with the OS X 10.4 operating system and Apple’s iLife 06 suite of applications, which includes iTunes for music, iMovie for editing videos, iPhoto, iDVD and the GarageBand music-making tool.”
“Apple just came out with software that lets the new machines boot Windows XP. Called Boot Camp, this creates a “driver disk” with all the instructions that are specific to the machine, and then lets you install a full copy of Windows. You can choose which to boot. I’ve tried it with a lot of applications and it works well; it makes the Macs work just like Windows machines,” Miller writes. “Still, it adds a good deal of expense (you need to buy a full copy of Windows), and takes away what is one of Apple’s core strengths — the integration of hardware and software. So my guess is most people who buy Macs will buy them for running Apple’s software, and most people who want to run Windows will choose less expensive Windows machines.”
“Perhaps the biggest issue is price. Macs aren’t cheap. The iMac starts at $1,499; the Mac Mini starts at $699 (and doesn’t include a keyboard or mouse); and the MacBook Pro starts at $2,299. In almost every case, you could get a similarly equipped Windows machine for less money, or a lot more features for the same money. Apple’s move to Intel hardware makes a lot of sense. The result is some nice-looking machines that are a lot faster than their predecessors,” Miller writes. “The move to allow Windows on the machine is an even bigger deal. In the long run, this may get more Windows users to try out Macs, and then slowly move over to OS X. Or it could mean Mac users will start installing Windows (to do things like play games) and eventually start doing more and more on Windows. So this is a high-risk, high-reward strategy for Apple. It could end up with a high-end hardware vendor selling Windows machines, or it could convince more people to run Mac. Either way, it’s good to have more competition.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Macs are quite price competitive when you actually spec out machines are closely as possible. No matter how you spec it out, though, only Apple Macs can run Mac OS X and Windows. All the rest are stuck with just Windows. To get both major OSes, you can buy a Dell, for example, and a Mac, or just buy a Mac. Why pay for two machines when you get two for the price of one Mac? Which is cheaper now?
For over two decades and counting, Mac users could have stopped using Macs and started using Windows. We don’t know why Miller thinks that Mac users will all of a sudden now switch to Windows just because they can play the odd game or run some Windows-only application on their Macs. The idea that Mac users will now use and switch to Windows XP (most of us use Windows every day at work, by the way) and drop the much more advanced, safer, and fun Mac OS X in order to “experience” the Windows kludge, just flies in the face of basic common sense. In our experience, in general, when you take a Window user and really let them use a Mac for a few weeks, they do not want to go back to Windows; they want to continue using the Mac. Mac users who are forced to use Windows at work, in our experience, in general, cannot wait to get home to their Macs.
You can tell the Boot Camp articles that are from Windows-only users from a mile away.
In general, we hold these truths to be self-evident: Mac users are familiar with Windows and believe it is markedly inferior to Mac OS X. Windows users are unfamiliar with Mac OS X and when they really get to use it, they become Mac users.
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There may be a limited number of Mac users who are still defecting to Windoze, but market share figures suggest these are vastly outweighed by users heading the other way. (Mac market share is on the way up – admittedly slightly, but at least it’s headed in the right direction). Any Mac user who switches to Windows will soon realize the error of their ways.
Folks, read the fine print, eh? This scribbler is Chief Editor or something for Ziff Davis Media, which is a long-time MS apologist on a global scale.. It’s republished mass pablum, not original writing…the Star is hardly the journal of record in any event. This is the ol’ damning with faint praise schtick.
Regards, Ricky
Watch out… Maybe, but you are counting on Vista shipping soon… Vista has now been in development for six years and was originally promised in 2003.. It has recently just been delayed AGAIN, and more than that, 60% of it’s code needs to be re-written…
Do you honestly believe that after 6 years, Microsoft will be able to re-write 60% of Vista’s code by January 2007? Don’t fool yourself… Vista won’t be here till 2008 at the earliest… And that’s really pushing it…
Q: Will Windows PC users shift to Apple’s Mac OS X or vice versa?
A: Some of each. Duh?
Think though. Windows has a 90% market share to Mac’s 5% (give or take). Even if people are equally likely to switch from Mac to Windows and Windows to Mac, that means that on average the switching will be weighted 18:1 toward Mac OS.
I’m in. gonna buy my first Mac this year. someone needs to start explaining the cost savings of not having to use antispyware, antivirus, time lost in fixing those things on a pc and then compare the price to owning a MAC.
MDN is starting to sound like a broken record (i.e., “Macs are cost competitive when you really look at it!”). As a Linux/Windows user contemplating buying a Mac, I agree. I’ve looked closely at specing out a similar Dell or other non-Mac system. But with your broken record attitude, you’re really missing something here. The Mac has all kinds of goodies that I may never need nor want (i.e., bluetooth, built-in camera, etc). Some people may find these to be killer features, but I simply don’t see a need for them in the type of computing I do. Hence, when I look at specing out a system, I don’t want to pay extra for features that I will never use. One drawback to Apple hardware is that I can’t choose to not include these features and thus lower the total cost of the system. So, for my computing needs, a Mac is indeed more expensive! I’m on the edge of buying a Mac, as I’d really like to give OSX a whirl. But I haven’t quite got past the fact that I’ll have to pay for quite a few features that I don’t need. Who knows — perhaps they will become features that I will end up using, but for now the cost is a bit hard to swallow.
Winston’s me man man!
Hey emaN!
I thought the prices were wrong too until I realized this is a canadian article, and the canadian apple store guotes those prices.
Its those loonies, not US $$
Is this article FUD or genuine ignorance. Sometimes its too close to call.
If they are too dumb to comparison shop, and too dumb too avoid bait and switch, do we really want them tying up apple’s support lines?
Market share does NOT equal profit. ask Ford. Or GM. Or…
“We’ll remain among the few. How long will Apple continue to support us?”
ummm, I dunno, 30 years?
Dude,WTF?!
Wanna bet?
Yeah, Macs are definitely ‘more expensive’ than your local corner store no-name box assembler. But so is an Acer, HP, Sony, or even a Dell.
Like anyone would seriously switch from OS X to Windows. What’s this guy smoking?
Stuart “Like anyone would seriously switch from OS X to Windows.”
Stuart – could someone “unseriously” switch from OSX to Windows???
I am still trying to figure out the logic of Apple making us able to boot Windows on a Mac.
A Windows owner has a Windows computer. To get Windows on a Mac they would have to purchase a copy of the Windows OS. Why would they do that if they already have a Windows computer?
I am more thinking this is a defensive move by Apple to stop defections from Apple to Windows. And that Apple knows something like software companies have given Apple some long range plans and they won´t be making Apple-version software in 5+ or so years.
Something else is going on about this that we aren´t aware of – what I have no idea. But I don´t buy the so Windows people can run Windows programs idea.
emaN said:
“Nevermind, I guess he is from Canada, despite the .com suffix. That would explain a lot, though.”
Hey, up yours, dipstick. There are several US columnists articles I’ve read with the same ignorance about the Mac userbase as this guy’s from the up here in Canada, *eh*. Here is JUST ONE of your intelligent compatriots. From USA TODAY:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/andrewkantor/2006-04-13-boot-camp_x.htm?POE=click-refer
And all the Mac users I know up here in the frozen north are not “falling prey” to Boot Camp and buying Dells. **rolls eyes** So, we’re not drinking the same kool-aid as the Star columnist. But, we are running short on beer and peameal bacon. Please airlift some on your way to Iraq.
Now, why don’t you yanks go and spend more trillions in money and blood invading Iran? Talk about stupid? The US foreign policy is f**ked, and you idiots elected the biggest jackass in the world to run your country nd throw the world into turmoil — TWICE! History will show that you people were fleeced by a simpleton — twice. How embarrasing!
http://throwawayyourtv.com/2006/03/bushisms-videoroll.html
Greetings from Canada, y’all!
@PO- canuck—- the world into turmoil?
How is Canada land in turmoil?
I am living in Europe and I don´t see any turmoil here.
Turn off CNN or whatever you watch for a week; get away from all the senasationalism in the news. Go outside, have fun. Guess what all the “turmoil” in your mind will go away.
For PC weenies, Boot Camp is the bait and the safety net to get them on Macs; ‘look, you can still use your old Windoze apps, if you want…’. I doubt there will be a mass exodus from Windows to Mac (there’s as many Windows zealots as there are Mac zealots… the former are just plain irrational though
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” /> ) but those close the fence, sick of virii and who aren’t so tied to platform-specific sotware will be tempted.
For the Mac core, Boot Camp is the excuse to buy a new Intel Mac over the cheap PC you were considering for whatever… for me, wanting to get into Windows Mobile 5 development, Windows is necessary unless hell freezes over again and MS brings out Visual Studio 2005 for OSX – very unlikely. Up until the Boot Camp announcement that meant buying a cheap PC. Now, I don’t have to – I can get a new iMac instead (which at AU$2000 is actually very good value), be able to develop WM5 apps and enjoy a faster Mac experience than what I’m getting on my G4 Powerbooks now.
Sounds pretty clever to me.
A number of you sent me this thread, so here are a couple of comments.
First, the prices in the Toronto Star story are of course in Canadian dollars.
And yes, I have worked for PC Magazine for a long time, but that doesn’t mean I’m a Mac newbie. I’ve been using Macs since the beginning; and if you check, you’ll see PC Magazine has been reviewing Macs for years.
But if you want something to really talk about, see more detail at:
http://blog.pcmag.com/blogs/miller/archive/2006/04/27/980.aspx
I’m sure many of you will have more to say….
The reality is that there are a good number of Windows users out there dissatisfied with their computer use and Boot Camp is allowing them to consider the switch. Both through some people i know personally as well as many people I have read on the web, this IS happening. Columnists can prognosticate all they want, but the real world will keep rolling on as the Mac sees some decent growth over the coming years. It’ll never unseat the Windows PC (nor would I want it to), but the platform’s survival is assured.
Attention people: A Windows user will have to put out an extra $200 to buy Windows OS to put on their new mactel.
Why would they do that when they already have a Windows computer that runs their windows programs?
——
This Bootcamp is for Mac owners thinking of buying a Windows computer.
Cooll LL, if they’re not interested in leaving the Windows platform in the first place, then they are not interested in buying a Mac. Running Boot Camp is a means to an end, helping people to transition from the Windows platform to the Mac.
You wanna know what the reality is? The reality is that Boot Camp is for the most part a placebo. I and millions of other Mac users across all usage types have been using the Mac platform exclusively for years and years. if the Mac platform and the array of 3rd party software available was incapable of serving it’s users, the platform would have been extinct by now. As a business person, I have been able to perform ALL of my business support tasks on a Mac, from prospective client research to job costing to the actual work itself to invoicing to book keeping. And, for even the average uses of the typical consumer, the Mac platform can serve more people very well than those it cannot. From all forms of web activity to media management, word processing and spreadsheet to their taxes and personal finance, there’s software available for the Mac that can do all that a typical end user needs. The only notable exception to this would be gaming — and even that would be in the case of the avid gamer.
So, for those dissatisfied with Windows and whom are looking for an option, Boot Camp acts as a calming influence for those interested in the Mac. But the reality is that they will find themselves probably not even needing it.
But, do realize that your statement infers that a person ether NEEDS Windows applications to use a computer (which is not true), or that if they need to run Windows on a Mac for some functions that they might as well just use a PC. Those who fall under that mindset would be better off sticking with a PC indeed, and buying a Mac would be counter to their thinking. it is — as I said at the beginning — those who WANT TO LEAVE the Windows platform that Boot Camp provides a bridge to the Mac platform.
And for you to think that Boot Camp is going to swing Mac users over to Windows, you’re insane. You need to step away from your personal bias and take a good look at the Windows userbase out there versus the Mac user base. Mac users are very happy where they are, with an excellent operating system that many Windows users admire. They’re not going anywhere. And there are good number of Windows users frustrated or dissatisfied who will now be able to look at the Mac platform with a greater degree of comfort… as per their limited view of the platform. Proper research might show them that they have never needed Boot Camp to switch. But if it makes them comfortable that Boot Camp exists, well…
Thank you Michael Miller for linking your blog and responding to this forum.
http://blog.pcmag.com/blogs/miller/archive/2006/04/27/980.aspx