Let's Dispel Some Rising Myths About the Mac's Transition to Intel CPUs

First, Mac OS X will only run on an Apple-made computer and not on a Dell PC nor any other Wintel as far as Apple can help it. At the very least, it will not happen in the beginning and maybe never officially unless Apple sees doing so as a way to significantly more than make up for lost hardware sales on a sustainable basis.

Second, according to Apple VP Phil Schiller, Windows will run on the Intel-based Mac. This means there will no longer be a need for Microsoft's Virtual PC for the Mac. Even Microsoft Access will finally run on a Mac. The Mac in the enterprise will no longer be under the Microsoft boot. With Mac OS X security, we see Apple eating big chunks of Microsoft's enterprise lunch.

Third, an Intel-based Mac will be no less secure than it is today because malware is designed for the operating system, not the CPU.

Fourth, while the current transition efforts are designed to be conducted on a Mac running a typical but high-end x86-based 3.6GHz Pentium 4, you can bet your bippy that it won't be a standard x86 Intel CPU that powers the future Intel-based Macs. Just think about it. Where did Steve Jobs get the 70-to-15 performance units per watt comparison of Intel vs IBM CPUs? Why is it going to take two plus years to make the full transition? Somethings are coming from Intel that will thoroughly whip the IBM Power4-based G5 hands down and will fit into a sleek Apple-designed PowerBook while whipping Freescale's best G4. Hmm...will it still be called a PowerBook?

Fifth, Intel-based Macs will still be more reliable than today's Intel-based PCs. Apple currently enjoys top marks for reliability and customer service among all manufacturers in the desktop and laptop computer markets. Mac users expect this level of quality and it would be a disaster for Apple to compromise it in any way. Apple will definitely use parts and manufacturing processes that preserve Apple's trademark reliability.

Sixth, there is no reason for Intel-based Macs to have a higher price on a value basis than their counterparts in the Windows world--just like today. Apple has worked very hard to get to this point today and it will do everything in its power to stay there. Apple needs to gain ground by the transition, not to give it up by losing value.

[Bill Fox]