"Universal" computers on the horizon...
Apple Computers is set to transition to using Intel processors in the near future. There is an opportunity present that I can see to significantly grow their business. Here are my thoughts on a potential Apple strategy for the Intel transition:
1) Build hardware that is optimized for running Mac OS/X and is also capable of running Windows or Linux
2) Include virtualization/hypervisor technology to allow for concurrent OS's.
3) Pipe the Linux and XP windows seamlessly through Quartz Extreme's 3D pipeline.
This strategy will have many benefits for Apple.
1) They will provide the only hardware capable of running (legal) concurrent Windows, Linux and OS/X programs.
2) They will provide an infinitely better "switch" experience for first time Apple customers since they can keep their existing apps.
3) They can (eventually) license the privilege of building "universal" computers to the first and second tier PC OEM's creating a brand new revenue stream.
This approach will allow for rapid and significant growth of both the hardware AND software sides of the company. Linux gets supported without having to reinvent the wheel. In one swoop, they get support for GNOME/GTK apps, KDE apps, dotNET apps, DirectX apps, and WinGDI apps.
Will there be performance issues? Some. But nowhere near the issues normally present with software based emulation. And if there are issues, the solution is to port to Apple's own API's!
Steve Jobs is the only one ballzy enough to do this to the industry.
1) Build hardware that is optimized for running Mac OS/X and is also capable of running Windows or Linux
2) Include virtualization/hypervisor technology to allow for concurrent OS's.
3) Pipe the Linux and XP windows seamlessly through Quartz Extreme's 3D pipeline.
This strategy will have many benefits for Apple.
1) They will provide the only hardware capable of running (legal) concurrent Windows, Linux and OS/X programs.
2) They will provide an infinitely better "switch" experience for first time Apple customers since they can keep their existing apps.
3) They can (eventually) license the privilege of building "universal" computers to the first and second tier PC OEM's creating a brand new revenue stream.
This approach will allow for rapid and significant growth of both the hardware AND software sides of the company. Linux gets supported without having to reinvent the wheel. In one swoop, they get support for GNOME/GTK apps, KDE apps, dotNET apps, DirectX apps, and WinGDI apps.
Will there be performance issues? Some. But nowhere near the issues normally present with software based emulation. And if there are issues, the solution is to port to Apple's own API's!
Steve Jobs is the only one ballzy enough to do this to the industry.
