Third in a six-part series

In Part One of this series, we defined what an operating system (OS) is, and speculated that changes in the most significant OS platforms could affect the way that salespeople do their jobs over the next few years. In this part, we focus on perhaps the most visible alternative to Microsoft Windows (which we covered in Part Two of this series).

Apple’s Mac OS X

Ask any Apple Macintosh computer user if they like their Mac - and watch as an almost rapturous look of sheer bliss washes over their face.  Apple has garnered a fanatical following of loyal users - and the Mac OS X (also known by it’s code name “Leopard”), is one of the principal reasons.

Because Apple builds their hardware, and can restrict the kinds of upgrades and deviations from factory-shipped configurations, they can ensure a consistent user experience.  And OS X keeps that experience very friendly and pleasant-looking.  Many users say that it is clearly a superior computer operating system, especially when compared to Microsoft’s Windows.

And yet, Apple has deliberately restricted the use of OS X to Apple-manufactured hardware only.  Even though the current flock of Apple machines use the same Intel chips as other computer brands which run Windows, Apple steadfastly refuses to provide OS X to non-Apple hardware users.  Apple likes its happy, closed architecture, and wants to keep it that way.

Some upstart companies have tried to force a chink in Apple’s architecture, however.  Most recently, a small start-up company called Psystar began selling generic Intel-based computers with a hacked version of the Mac OS X operating system earlier this year.  Apple sued Psystar, as expected - but now Psystar has begun to fight back, filing a countersuit of their own.

Most legal experts agree that Psystar does not have a strong case against Apple.  But the legal battle might have some significant implications.

• For example, if Psystar were to prevail, then Apple would likely have to  offer OS X for non-Apple hardware, or find business partners willing to do so on their behalf.  That could become a very significant threat to Microsoft’s Windows share.
• Or, even if Apple wins, it might help them to recognize a weakness in Microsoft’s market share fortress, as that company struggles to move past XP, make Vista more palatable, and finish Windows 7 - and Apple could move aggressively to grab OS market share on their own.

Most industry analysts agree, however, that Apple will likely continue to remain ensconced in their current exclusive, closed hardware/OS architecture - much to the chagrin of non-Apple hardware users that secretly envy OS X.

Next in this series: Linux

Tags: Apple, Mac OS X

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