No Need to Hold Out for IBM-Apple Gear
When IBM and Apple unveiled the outlines of their historic pact back in July, analysts and PC users were skeptical. After hearing Wednesday’s announcement of the details, they still should be.
Two former archrivals agreeing to share technology is one thing. Creating useful products is another. This alliance will have some important long-term effects on the computer industry. It shouldn’t, however, have any impact on your short-term computer-buying decisions.
In the long run, the alliance provides the potential for a powerful new generation of desktop computers and software. It establishes the basis for standards that ultimately will benefit end-users. It’s as if GM, Ford and Chrysler got together to outline specifications for a new type of automobile. They would use the same type of fuel (software), share the same highways (operating system) and (like today’s cars) have a common user interface. Some of the cars would even use the same engine (Motorola’s CPU). But, despite the agreement, they would continue to compete on such areas as performance, styling, fuel efficiency, comfort and pricing.
No one--not even IBM and Apple--expects potential buyers to wait two or more years for this new alliance to start to bear fruit. But both companies hope to gain short-term advantages. Apple’s relationship with IBM gives the company instant credibility in the corporate world. That’s underscored by Stage 1 of the agreement, which calls for increased connectivity between Apple Macintosh and IBM machines. IBM has blessed the Macintosh as a safe buy for its corporate customers.
IBM hopes to sell more PS/2 machines and gain adherents to the soon-to-be-released new version of its OS/2 operating system. An investment in IBM hardware and OS/2, so goes the argument, will position the customers to make the transition to the more powerful RISC-based PowerPC platforms that will emerge as the result of this agreement. I don’t agree. Buy OS/2 and IBM hardware if you like, but buy it because you believe that it’s the right tool for today’s jobs. It’s hard enough to predict industry trends, but foolhardy to make buying decisions based on hardware and software that doesn’t yet exist.
While this alliance makes interesting reading, it should have no impact on your short-term buying decisions. If I were going to buy a personal computer today, I’d make the same decision I would have made six months ago. I’d either buy an IBM-compatible PC with a 386 or 486 CPU or I’d buy an Apple Macintosh. Wednesday’s announcement shouldn’t enter into the decision.
