The other day I read the ZDNet blog “Apple should start offering Windows-based Macs”. Interesting read, but I disagree.
Apple has established a reputation for an integrated hardware and software resulting in high quality machine with few operating errors. Its performance and reliability are what make the computers so great… and (I believe) have increased the sales. I think there probably is some correlation (though slight) with iPod sales and Macs as the iPod helped to break down the consumer’s viewpoints of Apple being hard to use (I mean how can you operate a computer without a right mouse button?). Yet, the main increase most likely resulted from consumers wanting a reliable computer with in-store service rather than having to call India to wait on hold for hours. Why would Apple want to mess this reputation by installing Windows rather than the OSX? If the user really wanted Windows, why not just invest in the upcoming Bootcamp?
I believe the increase of Apple sales are due to consumers becoming more comfortable with the Apple products and Apple slowing reeling each consumer in with each new gadget release.
What are your thoughts? Will the bootcamp be too techy for the normal consumer to use?
2 Comments
Write a Comment»Damn you Gates!! I recently tried to load bootcamp with Windows on my iMac. As I hoped for the best, but planned for the worst something totally blindsided me. Windows doesn’t automatically pick up bluetooth devices. Well it just so happens that my mouse AND keyboard are both bluetooth devices. Now what?!? Call Microsoft/India and let them know once again what a piece of shit product they have. Then call my neighbor to borrow his USB mouse.
Oh and thanks for the Mozy tip Jazzy, I think I sold at least 3 people on it today.
to your question: I definitely think bootcamp is too confusing for people. Unless your technical, you don’t want to have to deal with multiple OS’s. Even for me, I find it hard to want to have two OS’s on my system.
With regards to the other points on Window’s based Macs, I’m on your side for definite on this one. And to be honest, I think it should almost be the other way around - where Microsoft start going down the road of making stricter calls on the hardware that works with their OS. Most of the problems that come with XP or Vista were due to Microsoft’s (admittedly amazing) willingness to try and support every possible piece of hardware and software. It’s also been their achilles heel and causes most of the problems inherent in Windows these days…..
A bit more control on their side would reduce the amount of potential problems they’ve to deal with.
They could also take the major plunge (like Apple some years ago) and decide to cut all backwards compatibility. Think about it, you can still work with software that was developed for MS-DOS! A complete ground up development is a pretty good idea. Pains for consumers in the transition, but as Apple have proved with their own offering, it means you can develop a really really good OS!