Linked by Thom Holwerda on Mon 9th Nov 2009 23:55 UTC
Apple has finally released Mac OS X 10.6.2, the latest version of its Snow Leopard operating system, and be prepared for a massive update for your Mac: 473MB. There's a lot of stuff in here, and among other things, it includes a fix for the guest account data loss bug.
Thread beginning with comment 393720
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2006-04-03
If you haven't figured it out by now, you'll never figure this truth out: Apple wants no part of selling you a low-margin netbook, because.... it's low-margin stuff. Cheapo netbook buyers are NOT who Apple wants to even bother catering to, no matter what: it's not their business model to compete with everyone else on cheap hardware prices, but rather, a different model where the software is a big part of the total package, as well as the packaging of the hardware, because, let's face it, the chips are (for the Macs) basically all the same underlying hardware as a generic PC.
This is exactly the case, and for two very good reasons.
1) Those who buy low cost, low margin netbooks will (as a general rule) expect that all support and upgrades will be free or very low cost for the life of the machine because of the initial price of the system, ergo little to no additional income after the initial (low margin) purchase.
2) By not fighting the installation of their OS on other systems, they by default sanction it and therefore leave themselves open to every clown out there who wants to throw together some Frankentosh to start making negative noises about Apple's support.
Now we know Thom and Co love to carry on about their negative experiences with Apple hardware, but the reality is that the majority of the world doesn't experience those problems - which is why Apple continue to top satisfaction surveys year after year - and also makes you ask some questions about those users who do supposedly consistently experience problems. But even unofficially supporting the installation of OSX on non-Apple hardware - by not trying to prevent it - would negatively impact their overall model on many levels.
Sadly there are people who believe it is their right to dictate Apple's business model to them...
RE[6]: Comment by haus
by alcibiades on Tue 10th Nov 2009 09:05
in reply to "RE[5]: Comment by haus"
Member since:2005-10-12
....the reality is that the majority of the world doesn't experience those problems - which is why Apple continue to top satisfaction surveys year after year....But even unofficially supporting the installation of OSX on non-Apple hardware - by not trying to prevent it - would negatively impact their overall model on many levels.
My experience is that Apple hardware has over the years been less reliable than generic PC hardware, mainly because of heating and ventilation. You cram all that stuff into tiny spaces with poor ventilation, and you end up with reliability problems. Yes, it looks nice, yes it sounds quiet, but just put your hand on it. This is one reason people want Hackintoshes.
As to the second point, they don't just have to try to prevent it, if this is true. They have to stop it.
The problem most people have is not that they do not permit installation on non-Apple hardware. The problem is they do permit it - they sell you packages which will install perfectly well. But then they try to stop you installing them by refusing permission.
If they sell stuff which will not install on non-Apple hardware, I don't think anyone would care. Its the combination of selling you stuff that will install anywhere, and then trying to limit what you can do with it by giving or not giving permission, that is the problem.
We'd have exactly the same problem if MS were to start selling Windows in a form which can perfectly well be installed on Macs, but stipulating in the EULA that installation on a MacIntel was forbidden.
Who are you to tell me what to do with what I have bought? That is what we would say. It is just like buying a chisel and being told this means you can only use wood from a given lumber yard. But the wood is no different from the same wood bought someplace else. WTF?
Member since:2007-02-17
If you haven't figured it out by now, you'll never figure this truth out: Apple wants no part of selling you a low-margin netbook, because.... it's low-margin stuff. Cheapo netbook buyers are NOT who Apple wants to even bother catering to, no matter what: it's not their business model to compete with everyone else on cheap hardware prices, but rather, a different model where the software is a big part of the total package, as well as the packaging of the hardware, because, let's face it, the chips are (for the Macs) basically all the same underlying hardware as a generic PC.
Precisely. Spot on.
Apple are also saying that if you ARE in the market for a netbook, with its value-for-money combination of low hardware expense, ultra-portability and modest-but-useable performance, then OSX is not for you. Apple don't cater to you.
Happily, when it comes to an extensive range of entirely capable desktop software for netbooks, you are very well served by some other software suppliers who aren't seeking to rip you off, to the remarkable extent that some are asking for no money at all, even though they offer POSIX compliance as Apple does.
Recent Original Stories
Recent Comments
Headlines
Random Comments
Random Stories
Random OS Link
Member since:
2006-05-26
If you haven't figured it out by now, you'll never figure this truth out: Apple wants no part of selling you a low-margin netbook, because.... it's low-margin stuff. Cheapo netbook buyers are NOT who Apple wants to even bother catering to, no matter what: it's not their business model to compete with everyone else on cheap hardware prices, but rather, a different model where the software is a big part of the total package, as well as the packaging of the hardware, because, let's face it, the chips are (for the Macs) basically all the same underlying hardware as a generic PC.
If Apple comes out with something they'd consider as competing with the netbooks, it likely won't be competing on price, and they'll probably be differentiating it in hardware features as well, to make it harder to compare against, and they'd likely resist calling it a netbook. Of course, this is all speculation, based on observation of their pattern of products over a rather lengthy period of time: I don't claim to know with certainty that they will/won't come out with something along those lines! Who ever thought Apple would sell cellphones 5 years ago???