Macintosh Clones?

what are they?

Just computers that could run Mac OS but weren't made by Apple. They haven't been made for awhile, I used to have one, I gave it away because It was so slow and I was never a fan of Mac OS Pre-OS X.

One of the first things that Steve Jobs did when he got back in Apple was kill the clone market, that's why you don't see many (any?) Mac clones around.

Sometimes I wish that Steve Jobs didn't get rid of the clone companies. I mean, there are literally tons of PC clones, but none for Mac anymore. Just think how many more Mac users there might have been if the clones stayed on the market.

I actually still have a PowerComputing Mac clone sitting right next to me.. works great.. runs OS 9.. pretty decent computer. Problem was Apple really wasn't making any money and either were the clone makers.. jsut didn't work very well.

My one roommate used to have a Radius clone, I forget the model name. I think it was a 200Mhz PPC something or other. The G3s came out like 6 months or so after he bought it. It was an ugly beige box, but it was a darn good machine.
I think if they had marketed them better, the clones could have made more money. But this was during the years that Steve Jobs was out of Apple, and MS was really just growing and growing. Maybe if they hadn't gotten rid of Jobs, it would be different. Oh well, its no use dwelling on what might have been
I have my Macs now and I love 'em to pieces!

D3v1L80Y said:

Sometimes I wish that Steve Jobs didn't get rid of the clone companies. I mean, there are literally tons of PC clones, but none for Mac anymore. Just think how many more Mac users there might have been if the clones stayed on the market.

Click to expand...

Mac wouldn't be the same if clones were still allowed. Among other things, being able to test your OS on every system that it is going to run on is a huge advantage.

After coming from many years in the PC world -- and having dealt with "trying to make PC a kinder gentler" creature for several years (i.e. ease of use at both HW and SW and OS levels) ------ having lots of OEM manufacturers is a double edged sword --- yeah lots of machines to choose from - but the whole thing becomes a "battle of comprimises" from the OS on down to the hardware. Which is what I would calll the current PeeCee today --- a bag of compremises. And trying to make changes - like ease of use - becomes a huge deal (ripple effect) and eventually - design by commitee

I was right in the middle of all this in the 90s at Intel - they made a deal with the devil (and the other devil - MSFT) to make the PC a commodity item (meaning ubiquitous) and up performance while lowering cost to capture market share ---- well they've achieved this --- but its created a PC ghetto ----- Dell is the current slum lord --- but look out for China in the future

apple was and for the majority, is a hardware company. meaning they make the largest profit share on selling their machines. the incredible software they make is to help sell hardware. and now they make other hardware (read: ipod) to help sell more hardware.

their pro-apps (final cut, etc) are also in a way to sell hardware. the majority of the entertainment industry has always been mac-based, and with companies like Adobe making industry-related software on both platforms, apple had to give themselves the competitive edge. and make a pretty penny with the software profit. but is in no means enough to sustain the company.