Re: Mac OS X on x86
Christ, not again...
Originally posted by Computer_Phreak
I think that a version of Mac OS X on the x86 platform (Intel, AMD) would be very beneficial to Apple. Apart from the PPC architecture of the Mac's processor, the hardware is pretty much the same as PeeCees.
That's like saying, "apart from its color, green is pretty much the same as red."
Currently, the Athlon XP's and the P4's are quite a bit faster that the fastest G4's. I realize they are not so much faster the the G4 because of the pipeline, but there is no way a 1 Ghz G4 can compete with an Athlon Xp 2200+.
Yes, they are, so?
If OS X was ported to the peecee, then Apple may seriously challenge Microsoft's dominance in the OS department.
Be tried and failed. NeXT tried and failed. IBM tried and failed. All had the vastly superior OS. Mandrake, Lindows, Red Hat etc. are trying and failing. What makes you think Apple would have any more success?
People would have no reason not to try OS X (because it would be compatable with .exe files, etc).
It wouldn't be able to run .exe files unless it had a Windows compatibility layer, which would require a license and a great amount of effort to develop.
I think Apple should make their own hardware, but use an x86 compatable processor (like the ClawHammer AMD processors). What does everyone else think about this?
x86 OS X and an x86 Mac would:
1) Require years of intensive development
2) Piss off millions of PPC Mac users - we're talking riots in the streets here
3) SERIOUSLY piss off hundreds of major Mac developers
4) Reduce Apple's profitability to nothing and bankrupt them all because a few geeks want a little more speed.
The customer's thought process:
"I can get an Athlon 2100+ From Dell for $x. Or I can get one from Apple for $x+200 (because Apple can't sell their computers for what Dell does and still make money). The Dell runs more software, is compatible with more hardware, and runs the same OS everybody else's computer does so I know that I won't have any problems switching. It's also more easily upgradeable. The Apple is... uh... it has a pretty case, and one less mouse button. Uh... um... Yes, dude, I'm gettin' a Dell."
Apple needs to do the EXACT OPPOSITE of blurring the line between PCs and Macs. It needs to make the hardware and software is so unique and cool and different that nobody has any problems paying what they do for it. They need to either get their **** together in the CPU performance area, or they need to de-emphasize CPU performance and sell Macs based on their other qualities. PORTING OS X TO X86 WOULD KILL APPLE DEAD. Thank you, good day.
Alex