10 ways for Apple's Mac OS X to Capitalize on Windows 7
There are at least 10 good reasons why Apple shouldn't fear the release of Microsoft's Windows 7. In fact the release of Windows 7 on Oct. 22 could well prove to be a golden opportunity for Apple to win more converts to Macintosh PCs and Mac OS X, if the recent history of earlier Windows releases is any guide. Factors such as more imaginative marketing and superior security could help Apple make deeper inroads into Microsoft's desktop dominance.
A Wall Street analyst said in a report on Tuesday that historically, Mac OS X has not felt the effect of Windows releases. In fact, the analyst found that Windows releases have helped Apple sell more Mac computers. "I analyzed the impact of the last four Windows launches and found no negative correlation between them and Mac sales," Brian Marshall of Broadpoint AmTech said. "In fact, they almost act like a delayed accelerant on Mac sales."
Assuming Marshall's research is correct, that might spell some serious trouble for Microsoft. Especially considering it's coming off the weakest operating system is has released in recent history of the 25-year-old PC operating system. If history should be our guide, it would seem that Mac OS X has a real opportunity to capitalize on Windows 7's launch.
