In June of 2005, Apple Computer raised many eyebrows and quite a few hopes when they announced that by June of 2006, they would begin delivering models of their Macintosh computers based on microprocessors made by industry giant Intel, and utilizing their wildly popular OS X (as in the number “10”) operating system. A few weeks ago, and six months ahead of schedule, Apple made good on its promise, and began delivery on the much-anticipated machines.
Computers based on Intel-compatible, or “x86” hardware, have, with few exceptions, been the exclusive territory of Microsoft’s Windows operating system. The Windows OS would not run on Apple computers, and the Apple OS would not run on x86-based computers. So closely paired have been the Windows and Intel technologies that computer geeks have long referred to these machines as “Wintel boxes.”
Wintel boxes have for years dominated the computer industry, due largely to Microsoft’s ruthless marketing practices, and the fact that Intel-compatible hardware has generally been much less expensive than that from Apple. Contributing to this situation has been Apples “closed corporation” attitude about licensing its hardware. Apple refuses to let anyone else manufacture Apple-compatible computers, while every computer manufacturer from Dell to the computer store down the street (myself included) can build a Wintel box.
Those who’ve used the two operating systems largely agree that OS X beats the pants off of Windows, hands down. Yet, Apple’s licensing policies have choked its business to a meager 4% market share, leaving Microsoft with a virtual monopoly. It reminds me of the Sony Betamax vs. VHS videotape wars of the 1980’s. Betamax was clearly the superior technology, but VHS won the war because of Sony’s tightwad licensing and marketing policies.
For years, savvy users have been seeking a superior alternative to Windows that would run on inexpensive x86 hardware. The Intel-compatible Linux-based operating systems that are available, while being more stable and efficient than Windows, and often free, are still a bit too finicky for the average computer user. Using OS X, on the other hand, is a breeze. Apple’s operating systems have always been easy to use, creating a small, but fiercely loyal, customer base.
Now, we have OS X running on Apple’s custom-built Intel hardware (already nick-named “MacIntel”), which opens the door to it running on all Intel hardware, including those inexpensive machines from Dell, Gateway, and the computer builder down the street. There ‘s already a sizable, semi-underground movement afoot among computer experimenters who are successfully installing OS X on all sorts of x86 machines, and this movement can only grow. Apple does not officially sanction such activity, but they haven’t been too hard on it either.
The hope is that Apple will release an officially sanctioned version for all Intel-based machines, and finally give Microsoft some well-deserved competition. In the mean time, those interested in using OS X on their computers should take a look at the “Wiki” page at http://www.osx86project.org/.