Apple, x86, and Pricing

[neuralfx]

I have missed this forum, its the best on HW site on the 'net. I still have a lot of research to do about this shocking (well to me) announcement by Apple and I am sure there have been many threads on this but I just wanted some feedback. I've been using the Mac OS X platform almost since day one and have loved my iBook, though have not tried Tiger yet, but I am wondering what Apple's strategy is for doing x86.

This move to x86 seems to fly in the face of everything the Apple zealots (I'm a fan but not a cultist) have always espoused about PowerPC and the Macintosh platforms. I guess the "RISC is better" arguments may subside but more than that this seems to undermine Apple's past strategy of a locked platform in terms of hardware. This is hardly the philosophy of the x86 guys.

As far as pricing, is there any word if Apple will still continue its nonsense pricing model? I really like my iBook but I got it so that I could have an Apple computer, but as for price to performance, well that is a joke with Apple. Of course there is nothing intrinsic in moving to x86 and lowering prices but it seems like kind of tough sell to put what amounts to *nix box with a polished "X-server" on inexpensive hardware and still price it at wallet breaking amounts.

Just my thoughts, I'm interested in what anyone else may have to say on this. I have only been made aware of this for a couple days. Thanks.
-neural

 

[Schadenfroh]

Apple will still continue its nonsense pricing model?

You bet!

 

[bendixG15]

Here's 183 "expert" opinions on the sugject....

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1608351&enterthread=y

 

[Kipper]

If you exercise the appropriate channels the price difference can be greatly reduced.

I'm happily about to purchase a 15" powerbook in the coming weeks...

 

[Nothinman]

Apple won't change anything other than the CPU they run on, pricing and lock-in will still be there but they'll have to find a way to lock OS X down to specific firmware or something. The future of Apple depends on how the Apple zealots react, OS X will surely be hacked to run on non-Apple approved hardware so I doubt they'll win many converts over from Windows that would be willing to pay for anything.

 

[CQuinn]

Here is an article I found recently that puts things in a bit of perspective in
regard to why Apple made the switch (no pun intended).
It may come across as a bit biased, but I think the author was trying to
be objective

http://www.overclockers.com/tips00793/index.asp

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: CQuinn
Here is an article I found recently that puts things in a bit of perspective in
regard to why Apple made the switch (no pun intended).
It may come across as a bit biased, but I think the author was trying to
be objective

http://www.overclockers.com/tips00793/index.asp

It's a pretty decent read, although it does get a little repetitive.

If there is one point that I took from it, it is that MAC's will not become PC's running OSX (In this author's point of view). My question ever since Apple announced the x86 switch is, "will OSX now run on PC's?" Well, it looks like that won't happen.

 

[Nothinman]

If there is one point that I took from it, it is that MAC's will not become PC's running OSX (In this author's point of view). My question ever since Apple announced the x86 switch is, "will OSX now run on PC's?" Well, it looks like that won't happen.

IIRC in the announcement it was said that Apple will not do anything to stop you from running Windows on a Mac, but Apple will be trying to stop you from running OS X on non-Apple hardware.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

If there is one point that I took from it, it is that MAC's will not become PC's running OSX (In this author's point of view). My question ever since Apple announced the x86 switch is, "will OSX now run on PC's?" Well, it looks like that won't happen.

IIRC in the announcement it was said that Apple will not do anything to stop you from running Windows on a Mac, but Apple will be trying to stop you from running OS X on non-Apple hardware.

Hmm, I never thought of the opposite, Windows on a MAC, now that is interesting...

 

[dawks]

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: Nothinman

If there is one point that I took from it, it is that MAC's will not become PC's running OSX (In this author's point of view). My question ever since Apple announced the x86 switch is, "will OSX now run on PC's?" Well, it looks like that won't happen.

IIRC in the announcement it was said that Apple will not do anything to stop you from running Windows on a Mac, but Apple will be trying to stop you from running OS X on non-Apple hardware.

Hmm, I never thought of the opposite, Windows on a MAC, now that is interesting...

Not really at this point.. Mac's are now basically PC's, just with Apples BIOS/Firmware..

 

[Nothinman]

Hmm, I never thought of the opposite, Windows on a MAC, now that is interesting...

Only if you like overpaying for 'trendy' cases.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: CQuinn
Here is an article I found recently that puts things in a bit of perspective in
regard to why Apple made the switch (no pun intended).
It may come across as a bit biased, but I think the author was trying to
be objective

http://www.overclockers.com/tips00793/index.asp

Holy crap that's a horrible read.

 

[coomar]

you can run os x on a pc, but there won't be nforce drivers

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: coomar
you can run os x on a pc, but there won't be nforce drivers

Is this speculation on your part, or do you have a source for this?

 

[Nothinman]

Is this speculation on your part, or do you have a source for this?

I would assume he's right, Apple will most likely use full Intel hardware including motherboard chipsets. So unless nVidia ports their nforce drivers there probably won't be any.

 

[neuralfx]

Hey n0c, been a long time, probably don't remember though. Everyone's been very helpful. Like I said there is still some more research for me to do but I think all the points expressed are pretty valid.
-neural

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

Is this speculation on your part, or do you have a source for this?

I would assume he's right, Apple will most likely use full Intel hardware including motherboard chipsets. So unless nVidia ports their nforce drivers there probably won't be any.

Wouldn't it be a good move for NVIDIA to port their drivers (at least the video card drivers)? That way they could sell their cards for the Mac platform.

 

[Nothinman]

Wouldn't it be a good move for NVIDIA to port their drivers (at least the video card drivers)? That way they could sell their cards for the Mac platform.

They already port their video drivers, I doubt they'll port the NForce crap unless they get into some OEM deal with Apple.

 

[manly]

Why would nVidia port platform drivers if they aren't supplying the chipset?

It remains to be seen what Apple will do with shipping Intel-based Macs, but the developer transition kit is reported to be a standard PC with a Phoenix BIOS (running OS X).