After I heard the announcement of the HP I got thinking of what might come. Let me ask everyone some questions. If HP and Apple both used the exact same operating system which one would you buy? Now ask the same thing to the average computer user. Do you know anyone who Apple the software maker meets their needs but Apple the computer maker does not? One of the major reasons for Apple's lack of market share may be Apple itself. Before everyone starts screaming heretic, let me explain myself. Apple strives on innovation and cutting edge designs. They are really a whine and chease company. Their designs are marketed to a select few who want a computer that is as much as a piece of art as it is a functioning computer. The iMac and eMac and really form over function. Becuase of this, many of the parts they use are custom designed to fit their cases. This costs money. Most computer users do not need all this. Most people don't care if a machine has a grated aluminum as long as it does what they want it to do. I'll use myself as an example, about a year ago, I was looking for a replacement for my PowerMac G3. I needed a relatively inexpensive family computer. As much as I wanted to go with another Mac, none of Apple's designs really met (nor do today) my hardware needs. The eMac was close, but I wanted a more expandable case and a better graphics card. The G4 was out of my price range. I decided on a Compaq 8000Z with a 1.53ghz Athlon. It meets all my needs except for the operating system. Many people are in the same boat as I was. Last summer, I looked at buying a reliable, no frills laptop for myself. This time around, there was no question about my choice: the 12" iBook. I bought it solely for my OS and software needs. The great design is more of an after thought. It has become clear to me that if Apple wants OSX to become mainstream, they are going to need some help. Enter HP. Hewlett-Packard and Compaq are leading brands in the mainstream PC sector. They are available more or less everywhere. What if HP made and marketed a line of MacOSX computers in the PC way? The proposed computers would feature IBM PowerPC 750VX and G5 processors on MATX motherboards (with available PCI extender with full tower G5s.) co-developed by HP, Apple, and IBM. They would be available in prebuilt boxes and available built to order with many of the same choices as Wintel HPs. I know many of you would not buy one, but what about those you know? What about the average computer buyer? Personally, I think OSX can be successful in a windows World if you target the right crowd.
It wouldn't even have to be a new model, just take some single proc Powermacs that are a few generations old. Prolly an 800Mhz G4 for 600-700 dollars? Not very likely, but still it's a better option than instituting clones.