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Michael Dell would like to sell PCs with Mac OS X

updated 12:35 pm EDT, Thu June 16, 2005

Dell on OS X


"If Apple decides to , we would be happy to offer it to our customers," Michael Dell wrote in an email. It's the first time any PC industry executive has gone on record about selling machines with Apple's software. Fortune reporter David Kirkpatrick said executives from several PC companies have told him of their interest in Apple's Mac OS X operating system. "Sadly my sources would not let me attribute these assertions; PC executives are pretty leery of offending Microsoft, which holds enormous power over their businesses." Dell, however, has not been afraid to upset Microsoft. The company has for several years sold servers loaded with Linux, the operating system Microsoft" reviles and dreads."


by MacNN Staff

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Comments

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    Misquote

    This is a misquote. Because he knows Apple's future is for naught, as he's already suggested Apple be sold and profits distributed to shareholders.

    Or maybe its just another sign Mikey is trying to turn into Steve Jobs (sort of like Micheal Jackson turning into Diana Ross, then into a white 'guy').

  1. resuna

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2005

    0

    Dell and AMD

    Dell's always willing to allow for the possibility of a change in course, he's been teasing AMD fans for years with his on-again off-again hints that "if there's customer demand" Dell will consider AMD processors. On the other hand, he is shipping Linux-based boxes... so to quote Apple's Schiller, "who knows what the future holds?".

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    Or maybe a bigger plan

    Maybe this is his way to get rid of Apple Computer. He gets a licensing deal, sells Mac-compatibles really cheap, so everyone buys from him (well, everyone except those "I've got more money than I know what to do with, and I'd rather spend an extra $1500 on an Apple computer that'll look nice" crowd), so Apple's hardware sales plummet. Licensing not making up for the hardware shortfalls, and switchers not flocking to the mac like every poster on MacNN thinks would happen in an instant, Apple struggles, offers up massive layoffs from their hardware division, leaving themselves as mostly a software company. Then, in a final nail, Dell decides to no longer support or carry the OS. Now, with no hardware vendors available, Apple, forced to try to start-up again, wastes its remaining cash, forcing them into bankruptcy and finally sold to MS for some magic beans.

    That seems more likely to me...

  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    Dell servers

    Shipping servers with linux is one thing. But I'll wait until its offered as an option on any of the client boxes, or even the option to drop windows (not business here, home users I'm talking about).

  1. zioncity

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2005

    0

    Dare I say it...

    If this pans out for OS X on a Dell boxen.... I could have people telling me this phrase and I would be happy with it... "Dude, your getting a Dell"

    rotflmao

  1. Horsepoo!!!

    Banned

    Joined: Jun 2003

    0

    Testudo speaks the truth

    Testudo is right...Mikey Dell has already flipped Apple the bird several times.

    Dell has already ripped Apple away from its education market and now he simply wants to wipe Apple. I mean c'mon...people that have Dells already will gladly pay for the less expensive Dell with Mac OS X than pay Apple.

    Sure...OS X would be all over the place if this happened but Apple would lose control over the hardware and eventually become software only. But if Apple can still maintain control over what computer can run OS X and if they don't mind becoming software only...I'd say go for it, Apple.

    But they definitely won't have the control they have now.

  1. nativeNYer

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Apr 2005

    0

    No news to me

    Seriously. I'm not surprised by his comments. Mr. Dell may be many things, but one thing he is not is stupid. He knows that offering Mac OS X to his customers will result in additional sales, so why wouldn't he be interested in this? And I don't believe It comes from any respect for OS X, if he has any at all. It's simply a business thought, coming from a business man through and through. If customers demanded sh*t inside a box, he'd sell it to them, no problem. That's what separates Dell and Apple, amongst others. Dell will sell anything to make a buck. Apple will not.

  1. DeathMan

    Mac Elite

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    Dell

    Dell = Good Enough (Barely)

    Now that Macs will have "Intel Inside" I guess anything can happen, but Dells Running Mac OS X? That would be truly be the sign of the Apocalypse.

  1. trevj

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 1999

    0

    Re. No news to me

    "If customers demanded sh*t inside a box, he'd sell it to them, no problem."

    In fact, they already do and he already does!

  1. Ganesha

    Senior User

    Joined: Jul 2002

    0

    Won't happen...

    Even if Apple starts letting select OEM make boxes with OS X on them. Why?

    Michael Dell is on Steve's POO list. And it's very hard getting off that list.

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