Anyone who was wondering why Apple CEO Steve Job announced that Macintosh machines will sport Intel processors starting in 2006 will understand that the majority of the world's programmers who write software for Intel-based machines will soon get to expand their horizons.
Does it mean the end of "think different"? I think not. Design is the soul of Macintosh and the company will surely continue to produce top-shelf machinery and an intuitive OS. The only difference will be an increased selection of software that runs faster than the current processor will allow.
There will be a difference, too, for those who do Windows. Apple's official position is that Microsofties will be able to install Windows on a Macintosh machine, though the company almost certainly won't write the drivers necessary to fit Windows to Macs' special hardware. However, Microsoft itself may.?
Tiger comes 18 months on the heel of Panther. Microsoft users have been waiting four years for a significant upgrade to Windows and the planned release, Longhorn, won't be available until next year. Given the fact that the door is finally opening with regards to processor platforms -- and given Apple's reputation for cate-ring to consumers, not corporations -- more people may soon be closing their Windows.
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