Windows for Mac and OS X for PCs? 


A couple of things I forgot to mention in my previous post were that, contrary to expectations, the MacBook Pro doesn't support dual layer DVD burning (although the new iMac apparently does), and that both machines are reportedly capable of running Windows (although don't expect any help from Apple in getting it installed!). The latter should not be beyond any reasonably tech-savvy user, however, and I would expect many 'How to' guides to appear on the Internet shortly after the new machines begin shipping. 

As to whether the reverse is possible—i.e. running OS X on your Windows box—don't hold your breath. Apple will have certainly beefed up system security after the OS supplied with the original developer machines was cracked within weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happens with the new machines soon enough, but the resulting hack may have sufficiently negative side-effects (e.g. difficulty of upgrading, crashing, software incompatibilities) to prevent all but the most hard-core PC users (of which there are many!) from using it on a daily basis.

In fact, Apple probably has more to gain from a little bit of copyright theft than it does to lose as their market share is so low (less than 5% of PCs worldwide) that they will probably sell more units on the back of people 'test driving' it on their existing PCs than they will forfeit on the basis of people choosing to run OS X on a Wintel PC (not that I am encouraging or condoning this in any way, shape or form!). Rumour has it that Apple may even be planning to sell a souped up 'professional' version of OS X (or even OS Xi—the next major release may see a version number hike) to power-users who wish to run it on existing Intel hardware, although personally I find that hard to believe, mainly because of the hardware and support issues involved. A licensable version of OS X Server, however, is a distinct possibility, but only after Apple has upgraded its own Xserve hardware to run on the Intel 64-bit platform.

In the long run, the ability to run both Windows and OS X may become a major driver for Mac hardware sales, whether this be through software products such as Virtual PC, dual booting, or whatever. It remains to be seen whether Apple will become a victim of their own success by selling cool white boxes to users who only have a passing interest in running Mac software (hard to believe though that may sound), although as long as they are selling more Macs, I'm sure they won't be complaining. However, all the indications are that Apple intends to stick to its high-end, high-revenue and high-aspiration pricing strategy, and so it seems likely that many existing PC manufacturers will soon be able to undercut them in terms of both price and performance. However, any such Intel Core Duo machines will undoubtedly lack the slick OS, high level of quality and undeniable 'wow factor' of the Apple brand. Interesting times though.

I will leave you with Apple's new ad, which I have to say made me chuckle… Are you ready to 'set the Intel processor free'? 

Posted on Thursday - January 12, 2006 at 10:08 AM            

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