Apple's Next Boost: Tech Data Corp Offering Macs Preloaded With Windows

The other shoe has finally dropped. When Apple (AAPL) transitioned its hardware to Intel (INTC) processors, many pundits wondered when Macintoshes would come pre-loaded with Windows. Well, Apple still isn’t ready to make that move. But a big technology distributor is.

Tech Data Corp. (TECD) now offers 13 Macintosh configurations with Windows XP and Parallels preinstalled. The systems are available to Tech Data partners and resellers, many of whom service small, midsize and large enterprises.

Parallels is the increasingly popular virtualization software that allows Windows XP and Mac OS to live and run side-by-side on Apple hardware. Later this year, I hear, Parallels will offer new virtualization software that allows Mac OS, Windows and Linux to coexist on Apple servers. In other words, Apple servers could become increasingly popular for server consolidation projects.

In the meantime, Tech Data’s move highlights the growing popularity of running Windows XP on Macintosh hardware. And in my opinion, it also reinforces the fact that the transition to Windows Vista will be a slow one for the foreseeable future.

For Apple, this is a no-lose situation. Basically, Apple is starting to generate desktop and notebook hardware revenue--regardless of whether customers want Windows or Mac OS.

That's rather stunning proof that a small but growing number of customers have grown frustrated with traditional PC suppliers, and are willing to pay a premium to run Windows on Apple's more reliable hardware.

Still, I've avoided the temptation to install Windows on my own Apple Macintosh. I don't want to invite annoying applets, worms, viruses and spyware that target Windows onto my machine.
You can read about my successful leap from Windows to Apple Mac OS here. Or you can follow the masses to Windows Vista on a traditional PC.

Comments

[Jon T]

And the best thing is that in due course Windows will be deleted off every single one of those Macs.

[Malkiel]

Foolish fanboy comments aren't going to advance your agenda, Jon t. Microsoft is still the primary platform for some of the best software out there, especially the Microsoft office suite, so being able to use Windows and other Microsoft programs within the Mac OS is the best of all worlds.

And worrying about viruses and spyware even on a Microsoft system running natively is naive and unnecessary, Joe. Having a first-class security suite like McAfee, having your broadband router set properly, and setting your browser and email settings properly will make worrying about security an unnecessary obsession. Router, browser, and email settings are things that matter as much on a Mac as on Windows--the Unix core protects against permanent damage to the kernel, but not automatically against spyware and phishing expeditions through application holes. CNET reported on a contest at a Mac convention last month where a hacker penetrated the Mac OS through an application hole in front of a live audience, a lesson in humility for the fanboys out there.

Being able to virtualize Windows will help Apple and Hurt Microsoft for about a year, then copies of XP will disappear completely from the market. Apple users do have versions of Microsoft Office for Mac available, so that may be a simpler way to go for most Apple owners. I can't imagine anyone wanting to virtualize Vista, so the trend toward virtualizing the OS probably ends when XP disappears...

[Jon T]

Wrong Malkiel. The MacBook Pros were not breached. Only after the rules were relaxed was there a breach, one the Quicktime vulnerability has already been fixed with a security update.

There are already many examples of switchers being comforted by the ability to run XP, then being astounded by the ease and quality of OS X that they became what you condescendingly call 'fanboys'. Just take a look around.

The real future is in the quality software providers, who have not so far adopted the Mac, porting their software. A process which may have become even easier with pending announcements at WWDC in June.

Glad you see having to run massive, unproductive security suites like McAfee as a benefit!

Rgds from 'A Mac Aficionado'

[JoePanettieri]

I want to be clear here: Although I am on Mac OS full-time I do realize that 85 to 90 percent of the market or so will continue to prefer Windows. But that's ok. I'm just thrilled that there's a 10 to 15 percent alternative and there's real customer choice in the market for the first time in more than a decade. I addition to Mac OS, I plan to be running Ubuntu Linux on my Dell PCs at home sometime this summer. And, sometime after Vista Service Pack 1 arrives, I will give that a try.

But the key point here: Apple is no longer a tiny niche solution. It's at 5 percent market share and growing on the desktop. With a little luck -- and some help from Apple, Dell, HP, Tech Data, etc. -- we'll see Apple Mac OS and Linux combine for 15 percent desktop market share in the US within a year or two. Mark my words.