Windows XP being sold in an Apple store? Whatever.
Companies that want to run Macs and install Windows already know where to go to get a copy. They're not going to go, "You don't sell Windows XP here?!? Well, screw you! I'm taking my business to Dell." It's not like there's an Apple store that doesn't have a store that sells XP near it. Hell! Even my one stop shopping place has a home electronics section that sells XP.
As for the average consumer, if they want to buy Windows XP to install on a Mac chances are they'll need help or know how to do it themselves. Which leads me to my main point...
What I think WILL happen is that business will increase for other Mac retailers. They could offer a service where they get Windows XP up and running for you on your Mac and charge whatever price they think is reasonable.
They'd buy in volume and make some money off of it along with charging for an hour of installation. Good money if you ask me.
I plan on helping dual-boot for all my PC friends who are now going to switch to a Mac. One of the worries they had was that if their medical school has software that can't run on Mac, they'd fall behind. With this, there's no worries!
Also, I would charge them if I wasn't such a nice guy.
aquajet said:
If you were a business owner trying to market your product's features, one of which requires an additional component to function, would you rather:
1. Direct your customer to the store across the street to purchase that component
2. Direct your customer to the shelf where you stock that component yourself
A smart businessperson would do the latter.
You're working on the assumption that Apple lives and dies on the performance of their Apple stores. I've read an article that states that Apple uses the Apple store as advertising more than sales. If they happen to sell things, all the better but it's not going to cause Apple to come crashing down.
Apple doesn't care if someone goes to Best Buy and picks up an iPod so why should they worry if someone picks up Windows XP there? Granted, Apple makes no money off of XP in Best Buy but do you really think Apple is that strapped for cash?