CompuServe Messages

"Motorola/Apple/IBM all understood that if they didn't do it, Intel would gain supremacy by default." Ah, Intel already had supremacy – and the PowerPC sure ain't threatening that. Even during the hottest days of Apple's PPC hype, no one ever claimed a hope of getting more than 30% of the CPU market with the PPC. All the estimates have been considerably scaled down since then. "Apple didn't want to have to cave in to using Intel chips, IBM didn't want to be dependent on Intel, (at the time they didn't realise the fight AMD and Cyrix could put up), and Motorola wanted to stay in the CPU ball game." I think it was more complex than that, although it's only speculation on my part. Apple couldn't cave in and use an Intel chip. They have to date been notably unsuccessful in porting the Macintosh OS to an Intel base. And switching to Intel sure would have stolen all their thunder. I can see their advertising now: "Better Windows From Apple". <G> There was also a massive level of desperation at the time at IBM and Apple regarding their respective futures. I kind of think it was more like going home with the last woman at the bar . . . you take what you can get. "Conally killed Kennedy, shot himself to throw off suspicion, and then ate the gun to hide the evidence. He turned Republican later…" Geez, now that I know, I'm going to have to kill you. <G> Jerry