I never really expected Apple to make the jump to Intel x86 processors. Even after the rumor mill was ablaze over the weekend, it wasn't like we all haven't heard the stories before.

I've talked to a number of Mac users who expressed concern about spyware and viruses coming to the Mac starting with the introduction of Intel-based machines. I'm positive this won't happen. Why? The x86 architecture has little to do with viruses. The fault typically lies in the operating system, and this is the Mac's strongest area. As I put it to those people, Linux doesn't have virus problems and it already runs on a vast array of processor architectures, including x86. Mac OS X is designed similarly, and I am confident that the Mac experience we all know and love will be just the same, if not better, than it is today.

On the subject of moving operating systems around, Apple has already stated that Mac OS X won't run on off-the-shelf PC hardware. While this may be true, I'm sure there are many who are willing to attempt the Mac OS X to PC transplant. Personally, I would love to be able to install OS X on standard hardware and build some cheap Macs, but this option would certainly impact Apple's hardware sales. Right now, it's just too early to tell how hard this feat will be. There will definitely be people trying their best to make it happen. Apple has likely been planning this for years. As for dual-booting Windows on an Intel Mac machine, Phil Schiller has stated that Apple will not support it, however, they also won't be doing anything to prohibit you from doing so. Again, it's too early to tell. The Developer Transition Kits announced yesterday will be shipping in two weeks, and people will by trying everything they can think up.

Apple has clearly made a tough choice which may significantly impact hardware sales over the course of the next few months, but the overall goal is to provide customers with cooler, faster, and (hopefully) more affordable hardware. If this is true, I'm all for it -- my PowerBook gets mighty hot. I wholeheartedly agree with Steve, though, that "the soul of the Mac is it's operating system."