Back in 1997, Yellow Box (the precursor to Mac OS X which cobbled NeXT's Openstep with Display Postscript - now called Quartz) ran on both PowerPC and Intel computers. Why is this recent announcement such a surprise?
How does Mac OS X on Intel relate to iPod, iSight and Airport - Apple's other seemingly-non-processor-specific technologies? True, iSight only works with iChat AV right now, but something tells me ...
What's to stop Apple from lording over Intel's manufacturing process to get their own specific chip that works the with as-yet-to-be-determined technologies lingering in Leopard?
Apple sells a platform - a system of hardware and software technologies working together seamlessly and, for the most part, anchored by world-class design. I think that's the bottom line and Apple is never going to give that up. They want to sell the entire solution. And we are used to paying a premium for that platform because we want it all to work and to look good doing it.
Simple answer: Macheads are some of the biggest whiners out there.
Most truthful answer: Macheads are some of the biggest whiners out there!!