Dvorak: Apple to Switch to Windows?
Sometimes, taking an extreme position is done just to get a conversation going. By taking such a position, clarity of thought can emerge due to the examination of ideas that would otherwise never be heard. That is not to say the extreme position will ultimately turn out to be the path chosen, nor am I saying it should. But the process of discussing the position can lead to interesting destinations.
For example, PC Magazine's resident columnist John C. Dvorak has a post that predicts Apple will switch to Microsoft's Windows operating system. Although he doesn't present any direct evidence of this, and personally, I don't see this happening anytime before Hell goes sub-zero, he does stir things up by making such a statement.
That said, I'm not sure I would want Apple switching to Windows.
Nature loves diversity. Genetic diversification is one of the reasons we exist while other species have faltered. Likewise, having diverse operating systems provides for a robust environment in which one virus/Trojan Horse cannot bring down all computers.
Indeed, in my opinion, if we were to have only One True Operating System, I would rather it be the Mac OS than Windows because the Mac is more secure. Yes, this is because Mac OS X is based on Unix, but so what. In computers, security is good while, at the same time, offering thousands of applications to choose from (now is the not the time to discuss just how good, or bad, these applications are).
Secondly, the Mac OS is cheaper. Mac OS X (presently at version 10.4.3), is going for $129.00. No need to get a special student or OEM discount. No need to buy it with a system or to get it from the car trunk of a friend of a friend. Just buy it directly from Apple, if you want.
Speaking of cost, from an economic perspective, competition is good. Where there is competition, the price of anything is set at the lowest people are willing to pay for and the highest sellers are able to get. At the same time. This is a win-win situation. Therefore trades will occur. It is when there is no competition that the market fails.
So, although I think Dvorak is just putting this idea out to get some attention (which is succeeding), I hope Apple is not actually headed in this direction. YMMV. Even I have been known to be wrong. Insert disclaimer here.
Have a Great Weekend, Everyone - Aloha!
Comments
It's much more likely that OS-X will come out to run on Windows PCs than that Windows is going to run on Macs.
Since the Mac runs on Intel chips it's come rather close to Windows boxes but with sufficient difference to prevent Windows running.
For MS it's not worthwhile (yet) to invest in making Windows run on those weird boxes. There are too few of them and even when ported/adapted Windows is too fat and flawed to compete with OS-X. It would need a redesign and rewrite of Windows doing it right (needed anyway) which not even MS can afford.
For Apple the situation is different. If they adapt OS-X to run on standard Windows boxes they break open a huge market. The adaptation wouldn't be that big (no bigger than the adaptation MS would need to make) and would make their product instantly competitive. Their hardware prices are not that much higher than for other stylish brands so it would only cut lightly in that department.
So Apple may run with the next successful version of windows but it's not going to be Windows. A capital difference :)
Posted by: sjon | February 20, 2006 09:29 PM