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No doubt you've heard that Apple has announced new, powerful
desktop computers that are sure to give Windows machines a run for
their money.
While fighting the Megahertz Myth has been an arduous (if worthy)
battle, any sane Mac user will admit that it was a rearguard action.
It will be much more fun to flat out claim that there is no speed
difference between Mac and Wintel setups without giving an overview
of clock speed and CISC vs. RISC chip architectures.
Apple has stripped away yet another big problem people seemed to
have with buying a Mac. Now that the perceived performance gap has
been closed, Apple should finally start building up some market
share.
Or will they?
It's hard to say what kind of impact the G5 will have on
switchers.
For those making the switch, there may be other factors that will
always hold them back from Macs. There are layers of objections that
people will make before making a decision to switch to something new.
Apple has done a good job eliminating many of the qualms of the
average switcher. Software bundles, attractive form factor,
integration of software and hardware, and stability are only a few of
the things that switchers will gain when they make the switch.
Add "speedy hardware" into the equation, and things can only look
sweeter.
However, Apple may have trouble with a few other obstacles in the
way of switchers. Take software investment, for example. Replacing an
existing library of software can be an expensive proposition. Unless
Apple is incorporating some fancy Windows emulator in their next
revision of OS X, buying new software will remain a very real
obstacle for switchers.
The G5 will, however, make it easier for new users to get in on
the Mac action. Heck, you'd almost be crazy not to buy a Mac
considering how far ahead of Windows "Longhorn" OS X will be.
Think of it: "Features coming to Windows in 2004 are available today
on the Mac." Catchy.
This might be particularly effective in a corporate setting. IT
spending is tight, and many companies will be looking to save money
on their next upgrade. Convincing these companies that going Apple
will not only save money on IT costs but also bring features they
won't get with Windows for at least a year or two and you might have
a corporate switch or two on your hands.
Pure speculation there, of course, considering that company would
need to shell out for all new hardware - but we can dream, can't
we?
To recap, the G5 may do little to convince more switchers, but it
should have an impact on those in the computer market for the first
time.
Stephen Van
Esch is the founder and president of
the
E-learning Foundry, an online training
resource for Mac users. Steve loves the Mac and is doubly bilingual,
since he's also fluent in Windows and French.
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