Wow, someone should sue Sony for not allowing XBox games to be played on the PS3. How come nobody is suing Porsche for not allowing their keys to start Ferraris? That is SO anti-consumer.
You know, if you're going to make comparisons, at least try to make ones that make sense. XBox games CAN'T possibly play on PS3s because they are using VASTLY different hardware. Porsche keys to start Ferraris? That doesn't even make the slightest bit of sense. You're now talking about private ownership of individual cars. Did I say my password should work on your computer?
No, I'm talking about STANDARDIZED 'clone' style hardware that is now used on Macs. The only thing exclusive about a Mac's hardware now is that Apple artificially blocks you from installing MacOSX on hardware other than their own (as proven by the Hackintosh systems out there). They sell the OS by itself, but limit what computers you can install it on in a completely artificial manner. I'm saying that if Microsoft engaged in such practices, they'd find themselves back in court faster than I can say the words Department of Justice. People seem to think it's OK with Apple because they're the little guy. But their size is relative to their particular market. They're huge in the music market, for example. Regardless, what does size of a corporation have to do with whether their business practices are kosher or not?
People are up in arms about locked iPhones, but what about a locked operating system? The two are related because Apple telling you what you can put on your iPhone is no different than Apple telling you where you can put their operating system. In both cases they are artificially limiting how you can use their software in order to STIFLE COMPETITION. That is EXACTLY the kind of behavior that landed Microsoft in court. And just because the U.S. system clearly got bought off at some point, the Europeans clearly had more sense in that regard. So yes, I'm saying I hope the Germans keep on sueing Apple if it means Apple is forced to allow unlocked iPhones and maybe some day an unlocked MacOSX that I can install on any compatible hardware I choose. There's nothing special about Apple hardware other than it costs more than everyone else selling the exact same parts. It'd make more sense to charge more for the OS itself as it least they're not ripping you off on something unique, but selling clone parts for way over their margins and forcing you to do so because a software check in the OS says you HAVE to is clearly anti-competition and IF Microsoft were doing that they'd get busted is what I'm saying.
Unlike fanboys, I separate my feelings for the products from the company. I can appreciate MacOSX for what it is but still despise Apple's business practices. If their product is as good as their most ardent fans claim, they shouldn't need to artificially force people to buy their hardware. If their OS can't sell on its own, then it's underpriced. Given their huge margins on hardware, I think they could jack up the OS to Microsoft levels of cost and you'd STILL come out ahead with a clone. More importantly, you could get the hardware you actually WANT instead of the hardware Apple offers.
I keep putting off my new computer purchase because no Apple offering has a really good GPU in it. Apple doesn't seem to care about graphics cards. Is this MacOSX's fault? Can it not handle a modern card? No, it's Apple's fault. They don't care about offering one. Why do I want non-Apple hardware? Because Apple won't sell me the hardware I want. Does that mean I should have to use an inferior OS because they won't sell me a decent GPU? Give me a break. It's the same reason iPhone owners are upset about being forced to use a specific carrier. If a lawsuit is what is required to get Apple to offer what they should have offered from the start, then so be it, IMO.