[NTLUG:Discuss] Mac v. Linux

[Burton Strauss]

Actually, it will change -- right off the bat.  Mac already supports PCI.
Changing to x86 means using Intel or I-compatible North and South bridges,
so that means UHCI USB controllers.  Even if they change NOTHING else,
they're already 98% of the way to being commodity.  All you need is some way
to intercept the boot block.  There is so little of the ROM BIOS used today
it's not an issue.  And YellowDog already runs on Apple hardware - so it's
probably just a gcc switch change to emit x86 instructions.

Now why you would pay Apple's inflated prices to run Linux is another kettle
of fish.

And whether they'll support it - probably not.  But feasible - sure - look
at the market for old Sun kit.

-----Burton 

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at ntlug.org [mailto:discuss-bounces at ntlug.org] On Behalf
Of Kevin Brannen
Sent: Wednesday, June 08, 2005 9:11 AM
To: NTLUG Discussion List
Subject: Re: [NTLUG:Discuss] Mac v. Linux

<snip />

I don't have the URL handy (but see the SlashDot story for it), but you need
to go read the one that talks about Jobs' keynote announcing this move.  At
the end, there is a paragraph from a Sr. VP who addresses this.  The
hardware isn't changing so that OS-X runs on commodity hardware.  What they
is just getting a new CPU, like when they changed from the 68K to the PPC.
He said they will not be selling just the OS for commodity hardware.  So no
new buses, support chips, ROMs, etc.

Now, that may change after awhile, which may be what you're alluding to, but
at this time, they say that isn't going to happen.

Given that, I don't think much will change in the world.  IF Apple lowers
their cost to more directly compete with MS, then they will increase their
market share.  Hopefully, Linux will take the challenge and make their
desktop better.  Then IF both of those things happen, MS should lose some
market share and start having some real competition, which will be good for
everyone.

Kevin

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