Mac Switch To Intel Question

[marcoleavitt]

I was just reading David Pogue's column in the New York Times -- http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/16/technolo...OGUE-EMAIL.html -- and he mentions that after the switch, Apple computers will be able to run the Microsoft operating system. Does this mean that finally, finally, I'll be able to run SonicStage? What would that entail? Would I have to leave my machine as PC only (which wouldn't make much sense) or could I have dual operating systems on my Mac?

[KrazyIvan]

I think Steve Jobs has made it clear that you would not be able to replace the OS with a non-mac OS. I think it is going to be hardware locked to only accept Mac OS. Just my speculation. If so, maybe it will get hacked and we will see linux/XP macs.

[marcoleavitt]

Well, according to the article (see my link), Apple has said that they won't do anything to prevent Windows operating systems from working on their machines.

[saaron]

Windows will be able to run on Intel-based Macs, but OS X won't be able to run on other Intel-based hardware.

I don't think this will alter your ability to run SonicStage or any other Windows software -- OS X may be running on Intel hardware, but that doesn't mean it will run Windows software or interoperate with Windows PCs any differently than PPC-based Macs do today. You might see a broader range of Windows emulators available that will run better, but you're still going to need an emulator to run SonicStage. I suppose it would make it easier to develop SonicStage for Mac, but unless SonicStage has an application beyond MD, I wouldn't expect Sony to put any energy into it; even if it does I'm sure OS X would need a larger userbase for Sony to take notice.

They're just not the generic electronics company they used to be...