Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!newstop!sundc!texsun!convex!jhansen From: jhansen@convex.com (James Hansen) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc Subject: Re: The Fate of the Macintosh Message-ID: Date: 22 Mar 91 16:26:07 GMT References: <1991Mar22.145326.27445@rucs2.sunlab.cs.runet.edu> Sender: news@convex.com (news access account) Organization: Convex Computer Corporation, Richardson, Tx. Lines: 41 Nntp-Posting-Host: dhostwo.convex.com In <1991Mar22.145326.27445@rucs2.sunlab.cs.runet.edu> medlin@rucs2.sunlab.cs.runet.edu (Roger Medlin) writes: >If you ask me, all someone would have to do is copy the Macintosh ROMS, make >a Macintosh Software Emulator for the NeXT, and post it as freeware to the >NET, and all of a sudden, I would say Apple Stock might take a rough ride. >Adam Smith's version of capitalism might say someone probably wouldn't do >this without the proper incentive, but the world isn't necessarily made up >solely of those who cling to the virtues of capitalistic incentive. Don't be a fool. Apple would sue their ass off 'til the cows come home, or pigs fly, or ... >I haven't done any extensive calculations to prove it one way or the other, >but I figure the NeXT should be able to (software) emulate the Macintosh >and still run faster than even my SE/30. Hey, the instruction set should >be close between the Motorola 68040 and the 68030, huh ? I just don't think NeXT would like to tangle with Apple's legal department. >Apple has for years built some innovative, fairly reliable, and satisfying >to use products, but until recently, they have taken for granted their >market share (allowing those God-awful MS-Dos clones to dominate the PC >market). Yes, it appears they are making a symbolic gesture with their >present pricing strategies, but I think perhaps they had better try harder >to please (and by all means impress the heck out of) their customers >rather than their stock-holders--Wall Street's financial capital won't keep >the company afloat for ever (yes, I know their stock trades OTC)... Take a look at the April issue of Mac World. There is an article about NuTek, a company that will attempt to license a Mac compatible chip set so that OEM's can begin building Mac clones. Most of the article discusses the legal ramifications and how diligently Apple defends its intellectual property. I hope NuTek is successful, but NuTek will probably spend megabucks and years in court fighting Apple. -- James B. Hansen {sun,uunet}!convex!jhansen CONVEX Computer Corporation jhansen@convex.COM 3000 Waterview Parkway, P. O. Box 833851 Richardson, TX 75083-3851 Phone: (214)497-4802