Mac-tel PCs

Several weeks ago, it was announced that Apple would begin using Intel CPUs in their Macs starting in 2006. As a PC enthusiast I am thrilled by this announcement. For years, the debate has raged -- which is better, Mac or PC. I think that is one of the stupidest debates and ranks right up there with "which is safer: airplane or car travel" and "how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop"! Two words: WHO CARES! I, like so many others in the Tech industry, learned the basics of computers in the PC/Win-tel world. Back then the only opinion I had was an uninformed one that was one-sided because my knowledge of the world of technology was very, very limited. But now, some 10 years later, you'll find I pretty much have embraced all different system platforms because everyone has its place in the technological world we live in. Linux, Unix, Mac OS, Windows -- these are the big four. And truth be told, you can't simply rank those operating environments from one to four, least to greatest. Why? Because each one serves a purpose.

Now...having said that, allow me to step back and take a look at the bigger picture. Truth is, if it weren't for Unix and Mac, Windows wouldn't even exist. Windows, the brainchild of Microsoft founder and chief janitor, Bill Gates, has permeated the global community because Uncle Bill didn't just know software development, he knew marketing. He knew how to sell. Steve Jobs got caught up trying to create some euphoric digital universe with Apple and, while he had a superior product, failed miserably to sell it to the masses. Well, not miserably, but not "Microsoft" successfully. The development of the OS world has been fascinating if you've watched how it's unfolded in the past 20 years. DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME (all those who bought a copy when it came out take one step forward -- anyone? anyone?), Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, and soon to come -- Windows Vista (I hate that name -- sounds like I ought to be checking my e-mail while slightly high and sitting on a beach somewhere). Apple, Mac, OS7, OS8, OS9, and now OS X. (That list seems shorter...wonder why?) OK, so, what's the point. Point is, Mac is making one of the smartest moves it's ever made. Truth be told, back in the late 90's and early 2000's Mac claimed to be faster -- but it really wasn't...well, at least not always. But you put that same OS on an Intel chip/platform -- now you've got a fast OS. Mac has always been more stable than Windows primarily because it's based off a Unix kernel -- Unix is the MACDaddy of OS's! With minor exceptions, you can turn a Linux or Unix machine on and leave it and might never have to reboot it ever again -- the stability is staggering and one of the reasons why Mac fans (as well as Linux and Unix fans) for years have claimed superiority over Windows. And from that standpoint, it's true. But Linux, Unix, and Mac fail in one area -- the law of universality. Microsoft, love 'em or hate 'em, was driven by the concept that it would not only be user friendly, but it would be easy to obtain and, eventually, they would make every piece of software you would ever need! Just look at 'em -- server software, OS software, database software, browser software, e-mail software, anti-spyware software, office/productivity software, multimedia software and -- coming soon -- anti-virus software. But this granddaddy of decisions by Apple just makes me excited. We haven't really seen anything new come to the table in quite a few years from anyone. Oh, sure, there have been some spikes in the trends, but the last real change the world experienced in the bits and bytes race was probably the release of Windows 95.

So what does the future hold? Who knows...but stick around; I think it's about to get really, really interesting!