4 ms·
I think a big difference here is that everyone knew that Apple was going to completely replace Intel Macs and eventually phase out Rosetta 2, like they have wit
by _mlbt 2y ago
I think a big difference here is that everyone knew that Apple was going to completely replace Intel Macs and eventually phase out Rosetta 2, like they have with previous architecture changes.
For Microsoft this is going to be just an additional niche platform. Microsoft has tried this dozens of times in the past without success. Windows NT was originally intended to run on several architectures, such as Alpha, MIPS, and PowerPC. I am not surprised that developers are very lukewarm about porting to Windows on ARM.
- GeekyBear 2y agoI'd say the difference is that Apple made an effort to keep costs down for developers looking to add support for their new architecture. That $500 DTK loaner included some major amenities: > code-level technical support, access to one-on-one labs with Apple engineers https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developer_Transition_Kit https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developer_Transition_Kit Qualcomm and Microsoft don't even seem to be offering a major discount on the hardware.
- goosedragons 2y agoI mean, compared to alternative ARM mini computers with 32GB of RAM and 512GB storage and comparable performance they're offering a several hundred dollar discount...
- GeekyBear 2y agoMicrosoft and Qualcomm aren't even offering to sell hardware below cost, much less loaning hardware and then issuing a store credit for the full amount you paid to join the program. It doesn't show anywhere near the same level of commitment to getting the software in their ecosystem ported over to their new architecture.
- goosedragons 2y agoI don't think you get it. You get to keep the hardware. $900 gets you the hardware forever. You don't send it back after a year to buy a similarly equipped model with a credit from the deposit you put down. You just get a 32GB 512GB roughly M2 Pro performing machine for $900. Apple wants $1700 for that!
- childofzombie 2y agoRight, but Apple wants that money after funding an actual dev program to port code to that platform. This dev platform is going to be much higher risk than a consumer platform and might be something you want to give back.
- GeekyBear 2y agoWhy should you have to buy another desktop computer just to do additional work to support Microsoft and Qualcomm's new platform? Especially a computer that you know lacks widespread software support for a new instruction set. A developer will already own a computer with high end specs. They don't need to be forced to buy an additional desktop that runs software under emulation... Slowly.
- goosedragons 2y agoWhy should you spend $500 to rent a desktop computer for a year just to do additional work for Apple? Remember you don't get that $500 back. At best it went towards another Apple device. So either way you're down $500 even if you don't keep it and don't replace it. You buy a devkit because you want to support the platform and potentially think it's worth it.
- GeekyBear 2y ago> You buy a devkit because you want to support the platform That is not how business decisions work. Keeping the costs down as much as possible is Microsoft and Qualcomm's job, and they aren't stepping up. They aren't even offering their hardware below cost.