Can the Mac Survive?

The debate continues to rage about the availability of Macintosh software. In all actuality, there is really little debate. There are simply more titles available on the Wintel platform than the Mac platform. The debate really should be centered on not how many titles are available, rather how useful the additional titles are for Wintel computers and whether this is enough reason to use a Wintel box over a Mac.


The business market for the Macintosh is dead and has been for many years. Few corporate information services managers would be wise to advocate the use of Macintosh computers to do the "day to day" chores of the office. Macintosh just isn't the standard, PCs running Microsoft Windows 3.1, 95 or 98 is. So increasingly the question is asked by corporations:


Why do we need any Macs at all?


For information services managers who oversee a corporate environment that uses the Microsoft Office suite, Lotus Notes, etc., there really is not compelling reason to use Macs. However, when it comes to publishing, Macs are still the darling of printers and publishers; despite some serious inroads being made by the PC industry. Additionally, there are still some applications which are said to be the choice of creative professionals that result in the use of Macs. They include some music composition programs and digital video editing programs.


However, I must ask the question, how long can the Mac hold with all the Windows-related interests circling ready to pounce on its historical strongholds in publishing and other creative industries? Apple certainly has hit upon a cord with the iMac; it's the company's best-selling model ever, but most of these sales are going to the home market. Is the home market and schools all Apple has left, or will it ultimately be overcome by corporations standardizing on Intel-based computers running Windows?


I really believe only Apple Computer can answer that question. After all, it is Apple that has positioned itself over the years as non-standard, mainly for marketing reasons based on its once-superior operating system. I say "once-superior" because while the ease of use of the Mac interface is still better than Windows, an operating system consists of many components and Microsoft has been building up the underlying strength of Windows for years. Yes, Windows is still a bit more complicated for the non-tech crowd, but the Mac OS has grown more complicated with the passing of the years as well.


Will Mac OS X be able to compete? I would have to say yes and no. I am convinced until Apple truly embraces open standards the new X will have no more impact than its predecessor. If Mac OS X could run on any chip out there, thus being able to be installed alongside Windows, Linux or traditional Unix, and run Windows programs to boot, I think there is a good chance Apple could make some headway. But until then, Apple will have to settle being a niche player in the larger computer world.


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Well, it happened. Wintel computer manufacturers are beginning to copy the style of the iMac casing and keyboard. Apple already has filed a lawsuit against Future Power and I suspect will have filed an additional lawsuit against eMachines by the time you read this. Additionally, Packard Bell's NEC Z1 copy of the style of the 4-year-old 20th Anniversary Mac is interesting as well. My question is simply: Doesn't the PC industry have any new ideas of its own?


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I was privileged to be on hand for Steve Jobs' recent keynote address at MacWorld in New York City. I must admit, a MacWorld event is something like traveling to Mecca for Mac fans. I know most of you have read the accounts already, but I must say that Apple really delivered with numerous new technologies. The iBook, of course, has the potential of impacting the laptop computer market much like the iMac has done. Already, PC columnist John Dorvak has been raked over the coals by Mac devotees and (believe it or not) PC users as well, over his comments concerning the iBook's look. Apparently, not only Mac users are ready for new looks in computers. John's comment about the iBook being a sissy computer that real men would not be caught dead with, really shook some cages on the Internet. We'll see who's right, John. I bet Apple sells a few of these babies ... uh, only to women of course!