“It seems that the company that makes Parallels is working on an upgrade to the software that will let Windows users theoretically run Mac OS X side-by-side with Windows on their cheapo Dell boxes, which Dell would be happy to do. Heresy! The only problem with that, as the article and others are more than happy to point out, is that Steve Jobs likes that idea about as much as Bill Gates likes the idea of open-sourcing Windows code,” Mathew Ingram writes for WebProNews.
Ingram writes, “Obviously… part of the Mac OS experience comes from the fact that software and hardware are all one harmonious whole, working flawlessly together, etc., etc. But why not let people who can’t afford those gleaming white boxes get a taste of the Mac magic?”
Full article here.
Because a Mac that doesn’t work harmoniously isn’t magic.
Why give people a potentially bad taste of something when Apple already offers the great taste of Mac?
Our advice to HP, Dell, etc. owners: eBay, craigslist, etc. Or, if you can afford it, put the thing out of its misery in an environmentally safe manner and spare the next guy the trouble: The Apple Recycling Program. allows for you to purchase any qualifying Apple computer or monitor and receive free recycling of your old computer and monitor — regardless of manufacturer. Then get a Mac. If you’re on a budget, Apple Certified Refurbished Macs often offer good bargains – keep looking, the deals change often. So, no biggie, you made a mistake that’s easily fixed. You can thank us later as untold numbers of Windows to Mac switchers already have.
Related articles:
Windows Vista disappointment drives longtime ‘Microsoft apologist’ to Apple’s Mac OS X – January 17, 2007
InformationWeek Review: Apple’s Mac OS X shines in comparison with Microsoft’s Windows Vista – January 06, 2007
NY Times’ Pogue reviews Microsoft’s Windows Vista: ‘Looks, Locks, Lacks’ – December 14, 2006
Forbes: Microsoft Windows Vista boss suffers from Mac envy – December 12, 2006
Unlike Microsoft’s Windows Vista, Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard will create no new jobs – December 12, 2006
15-year Windows vet tries Apple Mac: ‘My God! This is amazing!’ – December 04, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows Vista: obsolete on arrival? – December 04, 2006
InformationWeek: Now that Vista is the past, let’s look at the future: Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard – December 02, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows Vista and Office 2007 releases generate yawns – December 02, 2006
Dave Winer: ‘Microsoft isn’t an innovator, and never was – they are always playing catch-up’ – December 01, 2006
Harvard Medical School CIO picks Mac OS X over Linux and Windows – November 30, 2006
Microsoft’s Windows Vista vulnerable to malware from 2004 – November 30, 2006
Microsoft Windows Vista developers used Apple Macs for inspiration – November 27, 2006
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Microsoft’s Windows Vista is basically Microsoft’s version of Mac OS 9.3 – October 11, 2006
Embrace and Extinguish in action: TechIQ’s ‘The VAR Guy’ dumps Windows, switches to Mac OS X – September 25, 2006
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Microsoft Windows Vista: If you can’t innovate… try to impersonate Apple’s Mac OS X – August 10, 2006
Analyst: Apple’s new Mac OS X Leopard sets new bar, leaves Microsoft’s Vista in the dust – August 08, 2006
Microsoft botches another copy job: Windows Vista Flip3D vs. Apple Mac OS X Exposé – June 26, 2006
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Windows Vista rips-off Mac OS X at great hardware cost (and Apple gains in the end) – June 13, 2006
Computerworld: Microsoft Windows Vista a distant second-best to Apple Mac OS X – June 02, 2006
Thurrott: Microsoft going to get eaten alive over Windows Vista’s resemblance to Apple’s Mac OS X – March 09, 2006
NY Times’ Pogue on Gates’ CES demo: Most of Vista features unadulterated ripoffs from Apple Mac OS X – January 05, 2006
Analyst: Windows Vista may still impress many consumers because they have not seen Apple’s Mac OS X – January 05, 2006
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Thurrott: many of Windows Vista’s upcoming features appeared first in Apple’s Mac OS X – September 26, 2005
Microsoft’s Ballmer: It’s true, some of Windows Vista’s features are ‘kissing cousins’ to Mac OS X – September 18, 2005
PC World: Microsoft innovation – an oxymoron – September 14, 2005
As usual, Apple leads, Microsoft tries to follow – June 02, 2005
Bye-Bye Bill: another columnist dumps Windows for Apple Macintosh – January 20, 2005
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Won’t happen. Steve will sue their asses.
OMG…1st. I got wood. Where’s Zune Tang when you need him?
Zune Tang! We need your “Your Potential, Our Passion” quotes and other delusions.
“Will Steve Jobs release Mac OS X for any old Intel PC?”
No.
Also, who cares if Dell, et al. wants to sell it, unless they get permission from Apple they won’t be able to sell it.
Besides, since Apple’s systems cost as much as (and sometimes less than) Dell’s or HP’s, why would you buy the other?
I hope OS X is never licensed to run on peecees. MDN’s take is correct. There is no doubt OS X is better thought-out than doze, but to me there is also no doubt compatibility problems would be ten-fold on dozers. There’s plenty of Macs that have problems with something as simple as a point upgrade-why add more problems with the Ballmer special”?
AHHAHAHAHAHAAA! Is all I can say! Let them drool!
It won’t happen unless hell freezes over. Or Dell builds a machine specifically made for the Mac? Only licensed on that machine? Doubt it.
bleh! blasphemy!!!!
Ingram is a low-brow tool. Normally he writes for the Globe, and never gets anything Apple-related right. He says “Mac magic” because its become fashionable in the traditional IT world to praise OS X, with the addendum, of course, that if only Apple were more like Microsoft. Ingram has jumped on that bandwagon. He’s probably never actually used OS X in his life, though.
Your Potential, Our Passion
Happy now?
…doesn’t work harmoniously… <– remains to be seen, I say.
What about a scaled-down version of OS X for PCs?
One of the reasons the OS X Mac experience is so flawless is that Apple controls the hardware and software. Windows PC users have to deal with all sorts of hardware and driver problems.
Parallels runs on a virtual machine, meaning that OS X could run on a “virtual Core Solo” on a Core Duo Dell machine. It would not have all the benefits of running a mac, but it is a lot better than just licensing OS X to Dell.
It would be Parallel’s duty to make sure their “virtual mac” works well with everyone’s PC hardware.
The idiot who said this at Parallels won’t have to be on the huge team who would have to deal with all the aftereffects, complications and long term issues that OS X on Win$in would create. Sure, it would put some money into Apple’s pocket, but it would take their focus off of what they do best and create compatibility headaches that are undreamable. Steve has known this from the very beginning and people forget that even with the iPod, Apple makes its money on hardware, not software. Apple will never open itself up to a cheap conglomeration of diverse third party hardware. At Apple, going to work is about changing the planet and history. At M$, going to work is about padding their wallet and fixing all their problems. People still compare an innovation company with abunch of businessmen who have more money than they could ever spend. Jobs will leave this life with true satisfaction. Balmer will leave this life with abunch of money he can’t take with him and have his last thought about all the weight of problems and unlined ducks.
Maybe Microsoft will release a “Bootcamp” for Wlndows that will run OS X on PC’s. How could Apple stop that?
Emotionally driven Lord Steven Jobs lemmings are making it absolutely impossible for OSX to ever run on more than 5% of the personal computers in the United States and half that world wide.
So, quitsherwhining about how 95% of us aren’t now and never will switch. Either give us OSX on a machine that is competitively priced or shut the hell up. Who needs you?
I see nothing wrong in Apple licensing OS X to certain hardware configurations. Let the dells of the world make the $300 Mac boxes, at a loss, for enterprise penetration and low end consumers and let Apple make the premium Macs for core Mac professionals and upscale consumers.
Works for me. Anything to mortally wound the Redmond beast.
Slow news day.
Remember kiddies, before you get your panties in a knot, that launching Mac OS X requires a call to a hardware ROM. If it’s not there, it won’t start. If Parallells puts one there, they’ll get sued for stealing.
Parallels makes great stuff. But even they are not so stupid as to steal the Apple ROM.
Move along….
YADAAA YADAAA
Will Apple Release Windows compatible Ipods & Itunes?
MDN: NO!
Will Apple switch to Intel Processors?
MDN: NO!
Will Apple license its OS even thou technology will allow it to run on cheaper PCs anyway?
MDN….
The main reason Apple’s stock is soaring right now is b/c iPods are window’s compatible…
Macs are windows compatible…
The new AppleTV is windows compatible…
The new Airport is windows compatible…
Even the iPhone is windows compatible…
Why not make OS X available on cheaper machines for people who refuse to pay more $500 for a PC?
This will lead to lower cost, greater OS X market share, and an increased user experience for computer user’s every where… and most importantly…
DECREASSSED SMUGNESS AMONG APPLE AFICIONADO’S!
Apple only licenses MacOS X to run on approved machines, namely their own. Whilst someone may be able to hack the system to run on a PC, no vendor could sell the OS without Apple suing their pants off.
So at best PCs running OSX would be unapproved unsupported machines. Good enough for the geek user but not usable for the run of the mill consumer.
One approach for Apple if they finally decide to license the OS, is to tightly control the specs that vendors can use. Each machine model would have to be approved by Apple at the vendors own cost. When manufacturers like Dell are desperate then Apple can dictate the terms. This would have an added bonus that the other vendors would have additional costs that Apple don’t have which will make them less competitive.
The quickest way for Apple to deal with this is to buy Parallels.
I’ve got your harmonious hole right here.
-c
iLife is a bunch of lite apps that don’t work very well.
Apple’s effort to produce software that supports its exclusive operating system running only inside their over-priced aluminum has failed.
Fanboys, sorry but you got what you got because your guru wants it that way.
I agree with Think Smart – shut up already.
I don’t think it will happen, but if Apple were in a pinch they could charge a VERY high price for OS X. Of course Macs come with OSX and could also come with coupons allowing discounted purchases of later versions of OSX.
There are few things funnier than a STUPID troll, as in a troll so dimwitted that it has never heard of the Mac Mini. If you want the Mac experience cheaply, go buy one. Oh, and did you not even READ MDN’s take? There are plenty of used Macs out there that you can get for cheap. The laptops are especially good bargains.
And hey trolls, did you ever stop to think that because Microsoft sleeps around with every vendor under the sun, that Windows is a bloated piece of garbage? You can’t optimize for every video card, every sound card, every motherboard, etc, and etc. Did you ever think beyond the boundaries of the obvious?
If Parallels did this, intially Apple wouldn’t make a penny since you can install the older boxed sets of OS X on quite a few machines.
This would cause Apple to enact registration and to raise their price for the OS to cover the added loss of hardware.
There are other programs that do similar things as Parallels without supporting them. This might be the course of action many will wannt to take, especially with yesterday’s announcement of who actually owns them.