jeffjl; In fact any tool keeps it's original utility, and is only replaced by (better, faster, cheaper, easier to use) tools. The Mac is like a special drill with unusual bits. A new faster drill with the same bits is an easy purchase, but at the store you see all the standard cheap bits, and you console yourself with the sure knowledge that your drill and bits are better. After a while you have invested so much in your bits that you will only buy the drills that use them.
After a while you see the same bits made for other drills and they are cheaper, and the drills are cheaper, and so the temptation to switch is felt. Some switch, some don't.
If all the programs of the Mac were for sale on Wintels only a part of the market would desert the Mac. Those who use their own funds would be first tempted(especially if they are not rich). Corporate users would want to stick where they were. The corporate managers would consider a total switch over/train over only if clearly advantageous. So the drift away would be slow and gradual, and inexorable.
This is what has happened. A gradual slide in share, with a few sharper gains and losses. With a level price and tier situation compared to Wintels, then Apple would then grow market share. and also the clonse would grow share so the platform would tend towards a 50:50 division of the market. More if the platform is seen to be better by the buyers. So Apple has a lot to gain by an open standard with clones at several levels.
Bill |
