What stops Dell from reselling retail copies of OS X?

[jessearl]

With the recent threads regarding Michael Dell stating he would be interested in selling Mac OS X on Dell computers, what stops Dell from purchasing Mac OS X retail versions and selling it installed on their computer hardware?

 

[Veldek]

The fact that Mac OS X doesn't work on their PC hardware. Even the recompiled version that is made for the Intel Macs probably won't work.

 

[SteveC]

The fact that Mac OS X doesn't work on their PC hardware. Even the recompiled version that is made for the Intel Macs probably won't work.

I'll change your statement slightly to add emphasis.

It can read: Even the recompiled version that is made for the Intel Macs won't work/run on PCs.

 

[maya]

To the original poster, Please do not state the obvious reason(s) since the answer is simple enough.

We don't need to add to this rubbish pile.

 

[jefhatfield]

if apple inc can make serious money (we are talking microsoft bucks) selling their os, then so be it...margin of profit on an os/software product is about twice of that of any hardware product in the industry

if apple can somehow convice dell, compaq/hp, toshiba, and sony that os x is the way to go, then apple inc could be the next microsoft and be top dog (where i believe they belonged in the first place)

some of the profits can go into further os x and apple hardware r & d

 

[Plymouthbreezer]

Because of the reasons stated, and the fact that Apple would sue them because it would violate OS X's EULA.

 

[snkTab]

While the move to intel assumes that any comptuer will now run OS X. It's not. Apple is still going to make hardware proprietary, because that's what apple is.

 

[mac-er]

The costs would be astronomical because they would have to purchase at full retail.

 

[iJon]

Damn, I think this guy might be onto something

jon

 

[bloodycape]

Its the same reason you dont see windows mobile on palm pda even though they both are using intel's arm chip. They are just not compatible and for a good reason too.

 

[ingenious]

if apple inc can make serious money (we are talking microsoft bucks) selling their os, then so be it...margin of profit on an os/software product is about twice of that of any hardware product in the industry

if apple can somehow convice dell, compaq/hp, toshiba, and sony that os x is the way to go, then apple inc could be the next microsoft and be top dog (where i believe they belonged in the first place)

some of the profits can go into further os x and apple hardware r & d

Apple may do this sometime in the future, but they really can't afford (literally) to do this yet. *If* they do it, first Apple needs to build up confidence in OS X in every market place. Second, they just need to become a bigger company with expanding market share. Then can they transition (or really finish transitioning) into a software-focused company.

 

[Sun Baked]

Apple may do this sometime in the future, but they really can't afford (literally) to do this yet. *If* they do it, first Apple needs to build up confidence in OS X in every market place. Second, they just need to become a bigger company with expanding market share. Then can they transition (or really finish transitioning) into a software-focused company.

Apple needs a strong developer base first, and the majority of the key apps in place before they even attempt do this.

Or MS can and will lean on people to keep key apps off the Mac OS, heck they enact a failsafe that may make sure that Windows is incapable of booting if the Mac OS is on the machine.