Think about it. Apple currently has a reasonably profitable hardware business going. Their gear is attractive, performs well and is priced reasonably compared to machines of comparable quality and power.
I offer that the reason most folks want an OSX port to x86 is *not* to help Apple beat Microsoft in the battle for desktop dominance. That war is over. Microsoft won. In fact, I believe you will find that the overwhelming majority of Apple users don't really care whether Apple's market share gets much larger. Honestly, we might be happier if Apple didn't attempt to take Microsoft head-on. Would Bentley realistically try to take on Chevy for market share? Probably not if they want to maintain their reputation of quality and prestige.
Instead, I believe that folks are pushing for an x86 port because OSX is a viable alternative to *Linux*, not to *Windows*. OSX is what all of us hoped that Linux would someday become. Instead, it is here now. The problem is, that you have to actually have to go spend money to obtain OSX. My guess is that if Apple did release a port of OSX to x86, they would only sell a handful of copies off the shelf, yet 345784385 slashdot readers would run it through the magic of ISOs and cable modems. If Apple did find a way to force you to pay for it (god forbid), imagine the chaos. Here is a hypothetical timeline:
*Linux users convince Apple to release OSX for x86
*Large Slashdot thread devoted to how unjust it is that Apple is forcing people to pay for OSX
*Large Slashdot thread on "spyware" inside OSX which determines if a user actually payed for OSX
*Two college students crack OSX registration and licensing system
*Large-scale adoption of OSX on cheap Intel hardware by 12yo Slashdot readers
*Large Slashdot thread devoted to how crappy OSX is because it won't support XYZ video card on cheap, frankenstien hardware. Gawd, if it works this bad on *my* hardware, I'm glad I didn't shell out any cash for over-priced Apple gear
*Apple hardware market share plummets along with company profits
*ZDNet article about the imminent failure of Apple (#4567547896457896)
Slashdot Mirror
Think about it. Apple currently has a reasonably profitable hardware business going. Their gear is attractive, performs well and is priced reasonably compared to machines of comparable quality and power.
I offer that the reason most folks want an OSX port to x86 is *not* to help Apple beat Microsoft in the battle for desktop dominance. That war is over. Microsoft won. In fact, I believe you will find that the overwhelming majority of Apple users don't really care whether Apple's market share gets much larger. Honestly, we might be happier if Apple didn't attempt to take Microsoft head-on. Would Bentley realistically try to take on Chevy for market share? Probably not if they want to maintain their reputation of quality and prestige.
Instead, I believe that folks are pushing for an x86 port because OSX is a viable alternative to *Linux*, not to *Windows*. OSX is what all of us hoped that Linux would someday become. Instead, it is here now. The problem is, that you have to actually have to go spend money to obtain OSX. My guess is that if Apple did release a port of OSX to x86, they would only sell a handful of copies off the shelf, yet 345784385 slashdot readers would run it through the magic of ISOs and cable modems. If Apple did find a way to force you to pay for it (god forbid), imagine the chaos. Here is a hypothetical timeline:
*Linux users convince Apple to release OSX for x86
*Large Slashdot thread devoted to how unjust it is that Apple is forcing people to pay for OSX
*Large Slashdot thread on "spyware" inside OSX which determines if a user actually payed for OSX
*Two college students crack OSX registration and licensing system
*Large-scale adoption of OSX on cheap Intel hardware by 12yo Slashdot readers
*Large Slashdot thread devoted to how crappy OSX is because it won't support XYZ video card on cheap, frankenstien hardware. Gawd, if it works this bad on *my* hardware, I'm glad I didn't shell out any cash for over-priced Apple gear
*Apple hardware market share plummets along with company profits
*ZDNet article about the imminent failure of Apple (#4567547896457896)
Don't do it Apple!