News & Views

Here is a question: If there was a way to evaluate Mac OSX on your current Windows machine for under $150, would you jump at it?

I think for many of us, the answer to that question is a resounding "yes." Could this be a way for Apple to pump up their profits? I honestly think it could. That's why I think Apple should release a boxed version of OSX that runs as a client on Virtual PC SP1.

While I've used OSX for a short duration, I've never had the opportunity to evaluate it as a long-term solution. It seemed promising, but I'm not willing to change out all of the PC's I use daily just because an OS looks "promising." I think many feel the same. On the other hand, running a test copy of an OS in a controlled virtual environment is a safe way to dip our toes in the water. There is no risk or interruption to our daily workflow.

If Apple were to release a "client" version of OSX that ran under Microsoft's Virtual PC for under $150, I'd be one of the first to buy and install it. This would allow those of us with investments in PC's and Windows to take a good long look at OSX to evaluate whether it is a viable replacement over the long term.

Even if many of us who try OSX decide to stay with Windows, Apple will have made easy money off of us and their current users weren't hurt in the process. On the other hand, I think a large number of the folks who try it, may like it enough to switch completely at some point. Either way, this influx of new users could drastically grow Apple's market share and stimulate future development efforts for the platform.

I really think a virtual PC-friendly version of OSX would take minimal resources to implement, since their OS would be running in the controlled environment of a virtual PC. It would also allow Apple to sell its own OS onto the desktops of a lot of Windows users, closing the apparent gap in market share significantly and potentially converting a lot of users in the process.

At this point, Microsoft sells copies of its OS to both Windows AND Mac users via BootCamp, Parallels, etc. This increases Microsoft's market share and further dwarves Apple's share. Putting OSX on Windows could level the playing field and push the market share numbers closer together. It would also make Apple a lot of money.

Are you listening Apple?

Labels: Apple, Microsoft, OSX, Virtual PC, Windows