I should have seen it coming. Well actually I did, but I didn't expect it so soon. With the introduction of the OS X operating system, Apple effectively bridged the software gap. One of the drawbacks of MacIntosh systems has always been the lack of available software relative to the "Wintel" architecture.
OS X is an Apple proprietary GUI running on the Darwin BSD microkernel. As such, it runs a whole host of Open Source software. If you're used to paying for Windows software every six months, let me explain: That's fully-functional often industry-leading applications and utilities at the low, low, bargain price of ... well, they're free.
Apple has been involved with the OpenDarwin Project since the beginning, and everybody knew there was also a Darwin '386 kernel and an i386 interoperability group. "Obviously", Apple would have the inside track on developing the first Intel iMacs. They're a little pricier than I had hoped, but I'm sure they'll come down after the "early adopter" rush. Heck, they're not even shipping yet!
If you're not familiar with Open Source, you really must read Eric Raymond's The Cathedral and the Bazaar
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