Mac OS vs. MS OS.?

Question

I already asked this once, but I want to be a little more specific. Couldn't Mac OS release a retail package that would install on PCs and even be sold preinstalled on new PCs? I mean, I realize apple is already competing with their Macs, but if they spread an all inclusive OS that would work on all PCs onto the market with advertising and all, couldn't they put a hurt on MS in the long run by allowing more compatability and even some open source code? How could MS litigate against that? It just seems to me that MS needs to be knocked around a little and FORCED to make a better, 3rd party friendly product by good competition.You would then have the option of either a Mac computer OR retail Mac OS on a PC vs. Just retail MS OS. (Think in terms of nationally advertised and sold retail OSs' to the masses, rather than the savvy who look for and get the bootstrap program that allows them both to run. Aim for eveyone like MS does).

Answer 1

I have heard on TWiT (This Week in Tech) that Apple is a hardware company, not a software company. Sure they design an OS to run on computers, but it's their computers that they want their OS to run on.



Microsoft, because of the Anti-Trust lawsuit back in the early 2000's, was forced to split the company up into different "companies" to sell what they sell now. So you have one part OS, one part Office Suite software, one part XBox and so on...



It would be nice to easily install and run Mac OS X on a regular PC, but Apple makes it's money on its hardware and computer products.

Answer 2

Apple would never release it. MS is more 3rd party friendly than Apple ill admit that. Until apple lets other manufacturers use there os they will never have more than 10% of pc market. MS became top because they had better marketing plain and simple. Apple use to have pc's in schools but stopped that, if apple would donate more to schools or libaries and have there os more common then more people would use it. Apple needs to become more 3rd party friendly in general how many of there products work on other os's not just mac's but there whole line of products, not many thats why in part developers dont develop for mac is because almost no one uses it in terms of all pc use. apple has 3% while MS 90 % there is no way that they would catch up unless they do something drastic like have full computers for less than 800 dollars like other manufacturers not the mac mini, where you had to buy everything to go with it. most people arent going to pay the prices that apple charge.

Even if the do make a version that would make it work on all pc's what would make a person buy it, most people are use to windows and how it looks. most users will get confused when trying to use it they will be looking for a start menu and stuff, they arent use to have file and other such info at the top and just become confused and will just give up. Until Apple revisits there marketing they will never be any where near the top i admit this an im a Mac user; MS got apple on marketing plain and simple.

Answer 3

I personally don't think Mac should release a version of OS X for PC's. And with the attitude of some of the PC users on here, I'd rather them not have it. Some PC's can't even run Vista, much less Tiger and/or Leopard.

Answer 4

Could they? Sure they could, but look at what they would face. How many different video cards are there to say nothing of lan cards, sound systems, scanners, cameras, USB devices, etc. etc.



Look at the platform for which they build now. The hardware range is minuscule compared to the range of hardware that windows run on.



When windows really took off, the hardware range was very small. To jump into that market now must be daunting. Again, could they do it? Yes, they could. Does it make good business sense. I interpret their hesitation as it does not make good sense now. Ya know, thinking about it, opening their box makes it possible for other to port *other* OS's to the mac platform.



HTH



Charles

Answer 5

MAC!!!