Now this is just bad business. The company image is very important when your competitor just release an very good product. Couldn't they have waited until after the holiday season to do this?
Apple to disable Atom support with OS X 10.6.2? (updated)
- Thread starter Matthew DeCarlo
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If true, this news suggests that the Apple tablet really won't be Atom based.
@Puiu, though it's bad PR, I think it doesn't matter much. People who care about this (who read such news at sites like this) are mostly techies. They're not the major Apple market. Blocking hacks is something most closed hardware companies do on a regular basis (Nintendo tries it with almost every firmware, Microsoft recently with unauthorised Xbox memory upgrades).
@Puiu, though it's bad PR, I think it doesn't matter much. People who care about this (who read such news at sites like this) are mostly techies. They're not the major Apple market. Blocking hacks is something most closed hardware companies do on a regular basis (Nintendo tries it with almost every firmware, Microsoft recently with unauthorised Xbox memory upgrades).
L
limpangel
And this news matter because ... ????
Who would like to run OSX on an underpowered netbook?
OSX IS NOT designed, NOR optimized for this platform so all you will get is a sleek interface with limited functionality.
And even if you are a techwizz I don't think you will be able to make it run as smooth as Moblin or Ubuntu Netbook Remix, both of which ARE designed and oprimized for this platform.
Who would like to run OSX on an underpowered netbook?
OSX IS NOT designed, NOR optimized for this platform so all you will get is a sleek interface with limited functionality.
And even if you are a techwizz I don't think you will be able to make it run as smooth as Moblin or Ubuntu Netbook Remix, both of which ARE designed and oprimized for this platform.
Vrmithrax
Posts: 1,609 +679
If you think about it, making the move now is a much better idea. Imagine you got a nice shiny new netbook for the holidays, you're dying to Mac-ify it, and then Apple throws out an "oh, gee, sorry but all you Atom netbook guys can't use our stuff" thing. At least this way, there are no preconceived notions of what you might be able to do with that Atom system and Mac OS. I think their company image would be much more tarnished if they had waited and dropped a bomb later.
Vrmithrax
Posts: 1,609 +679
Yah, but just imagine how many new customers they could suck in with a low cost entry... I liken it to in college, software companies gave away seats of their programs (like CAD) to the university, so that we'd use them and get to like them and become dependent on them. Then we go out in the world, and when we get into a company, that's the package we request. Give a growing netbook marketplace the cost competitive chance to learn and become dependent on the Mac experience, but keep some things held back for the full fledged Macs, and you have the potential to greatly increase your following and grow you loyal customer base. I've personally never thought the Mac OS was superior in every respect, but it's got alot of good qualities and tends to be very easy to use, and I have many Applehead friends who would defend Apple to the death in a knife fight wielding only a toothpick, if necessary. Apple could potentially grow their fanatic following massively with the right push in the right place.
waterytowers
Posts: 125 +23
Windows or MAC OS on anything but a beefy machine is pointless. Atom and Atom like processors are meant to run a lean OS, which when I last checked is not Windows/MAC OS. Use the right OS for the hardware. Now if people are insane enough to install something on an device running an Atom that needs more power (ie is likely to run very slow) that is their own problem. BUT Apple have the right to restrict the use of their proprietary software, and it will be up to them to deal with any backlash from customers, or potential customers. Me I can't see myself ever buying a MAC so I don't really care what they do. To me MACs are priced for people that prefer style over function.
aceofspaids222
Posts: 12 +0
True. Apple allows for for no wiggle room. You get an Apple, you get it their way. You get a pseudo-choice of systems. I'll stick with PCs, that way I can do whatever and get whatever I want.
Wagan8r
Posts: 604 +67
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. In this case though, I think Apple is hurting itself by limiting its market share because of artificial hardware limitations. If they were to allow people to build their own Mac systems, I think we would see a huge rise in Mac OS's market share. Makes you wonder what their motivation is for keeping such tight grips on their products.
Xclusiveitalian
Posts: 879 +307
How exactly do you disable support for something, and im sure hackintosh users will probably find a way around it.. I say just get Windows 7 and let Apple enjoy the loss of sales.
jurrasstoil
Posts: 27 +0
Ugh, this doesn't even make sense.
I mean, with netbooks and nettops selling better and better, why would you shut out this market?
I'd say that more people will buy Mac OS for their Atom Netbooks than people will buy more Macbooks instead of Netbooks because they want Mac OS so badly...
I mean, with netbooks and nettops selling better and better, why would you shut out this market?
I'd say that more people will buy Mac OS for their Atom Netbooks than people will buy more Macbooks instead of Netbooks because they want Mac OS so badly...
freedomthinker
Posts: 140 +0
Heh , Apple can't any maturity in anything can they ? They are like that one little fat kid that dosen't like to share
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Guest
Well...I am a Mac user although I have used PCs in the past. I have three Macs at home but wanted a light portable computer for traveling etc...a netbook seemed the obvious choice. So buying one (Dell Mini 10V) with XP on was OK but wasn't ideal, so I installed OSX few tweaks but nothing serious and it works a charm for what it is meant to do...internet, neoOffice and a few other basic apps....I hope Apple continue to allow those that use the "Hackintoshes" to carry on.
And for those complaining about the cost a five user license for Snow Leopard is less than €40 (about 40 bucks) so much much cheaper than Windows and whilst more expensive than Linux in its variants still not expensive.
Just my 2 cents worth
And for those complaining about the cost a five user license for Snow Leopard is less than €40 (about 40 bucks) so much much cheaper than Windows and whilst more expensive than Linux in its variants still not expensive.
Just my 2 cents worth
(after update)
They might reconsider supporting Atom with this much negative feedback their getting. I don't know why apple is so afraid of supporting more hardware.
They might reconsider supporting Atom with this much negative feedback their getting. I don't know why apple is so afraid of supporting more hardware.
@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.
@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.
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.
namesdontmatter
Posts: 6 +0
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".
SNGX1275
Posts: 10,615 +467
Turns out we all got our panties in a bunch for no reason:
http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/04/crippled.atom.in.snow.leopard.was.temporary/
http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/11/04/crippled.atom.in.snow.leopard.was.temporary/
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