@Puiu, I think the mistake is treating all these rumours as fact in the first place. There's a chance Apple never reconsidered anything, because it never disabled Atom support in the first place. Or maybe there was an internal discussion about this that leaked out, but discussion doesn't mean decision. Maybe there was a decision, and disabling Atom will happen, but the build doesn't have that. It's really impossible to tell.

@wagan8r, "I think it's funny how people get all mad at Microsoft for trying to protect its operating system, but look the other way when Apple does so." I think it's funny how you ignore all the comments against Apple, even in this thread.

@ET3D In my experience of frequently visiting websites like techspot i can tell you that 90% of teh rumors came true. But in the end what you said is correct. Also i know most people won't be using it on netbooks but after reading the article i just got the impression that apple is becoming a bit too paranoid when it come to using their OS on other hardware. They really need a bit more diversity (the reason why windows is doing so well) and also they need to adopt new products faster (better CPU's and better GPU's). Their marketing plan just seems a bit too weird for my tastes (i study economy and informatics at collage so i know a bit about these stuff). They got lucky with Vista's failure, but they won't be so lucky with win7.

Apple should just allow PC users to buy and install OS X legally on any PC, and bring down the cost of its computers to the same level as PCs. Sure, they'd make less profit on each sale, but they'd sell so many more computers and OS. I'm sure in the end they'd benefit from that move.

It was already said above in this particular thread - Apple doesn't want its OS installed on an unauthorized hardware for quality control reasons. How many variants of hardware do they have and need to deal with? Compare it to the myriads of components and configurations Windows is being installed on. One of the main gripes about Vista were the compatibility issues partially caused by the sheer number of configurations the system is installed on. Can one expect that Apple will voluntarily jump into this pool? Not in a million years.

Their catering to a higher end market segment is a different story. I'm not sure if Apple looking to increase its market share per se. If they are targeting profitability instead of the market share that may explain it. They will never be able to maintain their level of customer support and quality control if they enter the lover priced segment with the hair-thin margins that characterize those. Pretty much like Tiffany's jewelry not being sold at WalMart. They have a fat bottom line sufficient to support further research and development in the computer market and it well may be their "sweet spot." iPod/IPhone situation supports my claim - there are no QC issues due to multiple systems so they can take the market by a storm and go for the market share especially if it feeds their iTunes music/video business segment.

Why do they include Atom support if none of their "official" hardware uses an Atom cpu? For testing ? I dont understand. Seems like they were allowing people to run OSX "unofficially".

Turns out we all got our panties in a bunch for no reason:
http://www.electronista.com/articles...was.temporary/