4 ms·
Well for starters, you could pirate any version of windows for free and load it up on practically any hardware. Can't say the same about mac os unless you want
by erwinkle 9y ago
Well for starters, you could pirate any version of windows for free and load it up on practically any hardware. Can't say the same about mac os unless you want to take the painful route of making a hackintosh
- Karunamon 9y agoAnd they made a number of legitimate attempts to clamp down on that. First with CD keys, then with online activation, then Windows Genuine Advantage. Of course, they didn't succeed, because the phrase "successful DRM" is an oxymoron.
- erwinkle 9y agoYep! Apple had the upper hand with this by having limited hardware compatibility.
- wongarsu 9y agoTheir attempt to clamp down on that only really started with Windows XP, when they already had a near-monopoly. Earlier version technically had a CD Key, but I don't think those actually did anything as long as you passed the key along together with the CD.
- dagw 9y agoThey didn't really try to clamp down until they'd become really dominant. Up until Windows XP they basically did nothing to stop you pirating Windows.
- simonh 9y agoLinux is designed to run on pretty much anything, OS/2 was pretty pirateabld and even given away for free at one point. I don't really see that pirating the OS made much difference especially since almost everyone got windows for free with their PC. Windows came to dominate because of Office. You only pirate something you already want to use.