This article discusses the changed environment since Apple first introduced the clones, what new challenges Apple faces going forward, specifically in the corporate market, and how a targeted Apple clone market could help increase OS X's market share.
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Member since:2005-06-29
They make nearly as much software as Microsoft, and many people would argue they are better at it.
Might be, but for one piece of crucial, extremely important piece of software Apple is completely dependant on Microsoft: Office productivity software.
OSX has a huge advantage that no other non-Windows OS can claim: full, complete, hassle-free support for MS Office. And personally: Office:Mac is a million times better than the 'ordinary' Windows version. Now, Apple will NOT challenge Microsoft directly, ie. as in allowing clones, because MS might stop supporting Office:Mac, dealing a huge blow to Apple (iWork is nice but a completely different product, and the OOO:Mac/NeoOffice SUCK).
Do not underestimated the importance of Office:Mac.
Member since:2005-07-06
I don't see how Microsoft could be upset.
Apple is simply increasing the potential for Windows installs inthe market by making the transition, while also increasing their install base thus increasing the potential number of consumers that might purchase copies of Office for Mac.
In the new scenareo, just because Apple grows, does not necesserally mean that Microsoft shrinks.... though that doesn't mean it wont happen that way.
Member since:2005-06-29
I have to disagree, MS Office on Windows is better than the Mac version due to the sheer fact that the Windows version has more applications included, namely "Access" and "Frontpage", to me both are extremely important applications.
Yes Frontpage may create some dodgey HTML, but i use it for WYSIWYG Designing of pages and then clean up the code in Notepad. on Mac OS X i've been resorted to using another application in order to do the WYSIWYG part of Page design.
Also, the Windows Version forms the Benchmark for Office, Only the windows versions get a whole new version number, Mac versions just get a year tag really, where as Office on windows gets a year tag and a version number:
# Office 2003 = Office 11
# Office ???? = Office 12
# Office:Mac v.X = Office ??
# Office:Mac 2004 = Office ??
Member since:2005-07-06
Hi Jody,
Apple ONLY makes software so that it can sell its hardware. Since nobody else was making software compelling enough to pick up a Mac instead of a Windows PC they had to buy (mostly) or create the software themselves. Now people, like you, can list all the very good software that Apple makes and then say, I want that software so I'll buy the Mac Hardware.
Edited 2005-11-11 00:25
Member since:
2005-06-30
Although I mostly agree with you, I still believe Apple is leaving open the possibility.
Also, for Apple being a hardware company, they sure do make a great deal of software.
I would say OSX comes with more features than Windows out of the box (Sherlock, Dashboard, Automator, Spotlight, iCal, AppleScript etc.)
They also make stuff like iLife, GarageBand, Final Cut, DVD Studio, Keynote, Shake, AppleWorks, QuickTime, iTunes etc.
They make nearly as much software as Microsoft, and many people would argue they are better at it.
As MS is about to crusade on this "Web Services" thing, I don't think Apple is going to slow down for them.
I think after Apple makes the switch to Intel processors, they can leverage a refreshed line of laptops and headless machines like iMac Mini to increase market share without the need clones.
If Apple wants people to have cheap headless systems to boost software sales, they can just sell them.
Edited 2005-11-10 20:29