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I wouldn't doubt it, Dell has been toying with Linux and they probably see OS X as a little more idiot friendly. Still, I think Dell would run OS X into the ground.

sosumi wrote:

They'd get pissed when they realize they can't load the machines up with a lot of worthless programs.

Whoa !!! no need to talk about Micro$oft that way !!! (even if they deserve it)

Michael "Sell the company and give the money back to the shareholders" Dell is afraid of Apple now.

It sounds to me more like Dell's idea would be to make Apple more like Microsoft.

Is this going to be one of those Macolyte "Never! Never! Never!" deals, where the insular Mac user community's notion of special exclusivity runs head up against Apple's business goals?

ukimalefu wrote:

Michael Dell wants to be Steve Jobs. Hey Mikey the answer is NO!

You mean he wants to wear turtlenecks and talk to developers like they're children?

joseoscare wrote:

But Dudes you'd be getting a MacDell !!!

Funny, but not funny

i guess we'll all find out sooner than later...

NAG wrote:

The problem I see is that Dell is looking to make a Microsoft that they can control.

Aren't most industries looking to do the same ? Once they see a cash cow like MS they all want their own... but without the poop it generates...

not only shouldn't... I still don't see how that could happen Steve is quite headstrong on controlling the whole widget... but weirder things have happened

joseoscare wrote:

not only shouldn't... I still don't see how that could happen Steve is quite headstrong on controlling the whole widget... but weirder things have happened

Yeah, like Macs with Intel inside

Last edited by mikedemo (2005-06-16 12:01 pm)

I also think that Apple would control what hardware went into a third-party computer (a.k.a. clone) to make it stable.  Sure you could get a Trident video card, but where are the Mac OS X drivers?  They don't exist?  Well, we'll make cheap drivers and no one will know the difference.    Somehow I think Apple would stop that from happening.  If apple made it so that you could buy clones, they would control the prices, as well.  Don't want something that looks better costing more.

I don't see any pressing need for Apple to license OSX to other vendors. But that assumes Apple wants to continue in the desktop/workstation market with the Powermacs.  I think the move to x86 gives the Powermac a new lease on life, let alone the laptop and budget market. So licensing OSX to Dell and others might subvert the advantage the move to x86 brings.

On the other hand, an Apple that concentrates on the mini, iMac and laptop market while licensing out to other manufacturers for the high end desktop workstation and server market could probably be made to work.  I could see Dell or Polywell selling high end single and multi-processor x86 Macs in such a way that doesn't cut into Apple's core consumer product lines (where the money is).

I'd certainly never say never.