Michael Dell Interested in Using Mac OS with Dell PCs.

[zippyjuan]

Michael Dell Interested in Using Mac OS with Dell PCs.
Chairman of Top PC Maker Expresses Interest for Apple’s OS

Category: Other

by Anton Shilov

[ 06/16/2005 | 08:38 AM ]


Michael Dell, the chairman of the world’s largest makers of PCs, told a journalist that his company might be interested in adopting Mac OS, a thing Apple’s chief calls “the soul of the Mac”, provided that Apple Computer decides to sell it as a separate product.


“If Apple decides to open the Mac OS to others, we would be happy to offer it to our customers,” Michael Dell is reported to have written in an email.

This is the first time any PC industry executive has openly shown enthusiasm for selling machines with Apple’s software, notes Fortune columnist David Kirkpatrick. Earlier, representatives for PC makers were pretty cautious in their claims regarding operating systems alternative to what Microsoft offers. While Linux has gained popularity in servers, the vast majority of desktop computers sold still use Microsoft Windows operating system, which gives Redmond, Washington-based software giant ultimate influence over PC manufacturers.

Dell itself is pretty conservative company. For instance, the firm has refused to sell computers based on AMD processors citing issues associated with changes to manufacturing process and additional inventory. In case Dell introduces a lineup of PCs featuring Mac OS, the company is also likely to have to implement changes into its supply and support chain as well.

Numerous analysts and observers suggested that Apple might be interested in selling its Mac OS separately from its Macintosh computers , or, at least, give certain companies license to make Mac clones, after the company announced that it switches from IBM to Intel’s processors in early June, 2005. The assumptions have arisen despite of Apple’s claim that its operating system would only run on the computers made by the company.

Apple previewed a version of its operating system, Mac OS X Tiger, running on an Intel- based Mac to the over 3800 developers attending CEO Steve Jobs’ keynote address. Apple also announced the availability of a Developer Transition Kit, consisting of an Intel-based Mac development system along with preview versions of Apple’s software, which will allow developers to prepare versions of their applications which will run on both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs.

[Showtime]

Inexpensive (dell deals) and powerful mac = Scweet!

-j

[ski]

I'd definitely get one. $300 desktop deal they have going on now, replace the Windows XP Home license with OSX. But nooooooo, the Apple elitists' community would be mixed with the "normies" if this were to happen!

[bachviet]

It ain't going to happen. If it happened, it would be available with high end system only.

[LPMiller]

I checked hell, the themostat is still stuck.

[zero2dash]

We might not see Apple officially allow the sale of OSX for other PCs, but we'll certainly see OSX hacked and put on the net (p2p) as soon as an Intel chipset copy is available. No matter what Apple does or thinks, OSX will be on non-Apple computers before long; if they were smart about it, they'd take some of the fun out of it for the hackers and just sell it and make their $100 per retail box and make some money while they're at it.

[bbrian]

If they were smart.. but Apple's problems have always seemed to be apple's own policies holding them back. I'm with LP.. hell isn't nearing freezing yet.

[zero2dash]

I think Apple's biggest problem has been the cost of their hardware, and that's the only reason their PCs don't outsell everyone elses. But it's all a catch-22 anyway, because if OSX becomes the primary PC OS and takes over Windows' spot, then all the virus/spyware/hacker people will target it instead of Windows and then OSX wouldn't be as appealing anymore.

[kimchicowboy]

i dont want apple selling its soul to the devil. hahhaa. j/k.

[GraingerGuy]

Apple using Intel, Dell using MacOS....all that needs to happen now is Dell using AMD chips. And then the world will end.

[ribitch]

apples problem was their machines lasted too long. Each machine has about a 2 year longer lifecycle then a pc. This means less sales. Most "market share" reports are based off of new sales. Apples install base was recently reported as 16%. This is far bigger than the 2-3% commonly given out as their marketshare.

Dells has high numbers. But dell also has a low life rate. I have several clients that have replaced 2 year old dells with new dell. A typical PC is kept for 3 years.

Anyways, it sounds like Intel will be using CPU's that have the vendor tied to it. So Apple will more than likely pull this info from the cpu to bind their software to their hardware. Apple still is a hardware company. They will not license their OS until they can totally rely on ipods and software.

[LegendKiller]

apples problem was their machines lasted too long. Each machine has about a 2 year longer lifecycle then a pc. This means less sales. Most "market share" reports are based off of new sales. Apples install base was recently reported as 16%. This is far bigger than the 2-3% commonly given out as their marketshare.

Dells has high numbers. But dell also has a low life rate. I have several clients that have replaced 2 year old dells with new dell. A typical PC is kept for 3 years.

Anyways, it sounds like Intel will be using CPU's that have the vendor tied to it. So Apple will more than likely pull this info from the cpu to bind their software to their hardware. Apple still is a hardware company. They will not license their OS until they can totally rely on ipods and software.

I personally think that 16% number was overstated. The means by which they determined the number were pretty sketchy, at best. The lifecycle could very well change as the intel hardware ramps up faster.