I just read an interesting article on CNNMoney talking about how virtualization is blurring the line between the Mac and PCs. CNNMoney: Windows is coming to the Mac - and Mac to PCs - Jan. 22, 2007 It got me thinking about how Apple could choose to allow licensing of Mac OS X to third parties like Dell. I know, people say "NOT GOING TO HAPPEN". However, I think it might and here is why...

Apple Computer changed their name to Apple Inc. They will continue focusing and growing the iPod marketshare. They will begin focusing on the iPhone market... sales will grow to the predicted 10 million units sold by 2008. At this point, the iPhone sales and income will eclipse the Mac computer revenue.
So, by the end of 2008 the iPhone revenue will have more than replaced the income from Mac sales. Apple's bread and butter becomes the iPod and iPhone (and whatever cool gadgets they release by then), the Mac becomes much less important to their bottom line.
This puts Apple in position to license Mac OS X (to Dell, HP, whoever) without the worry of cannibalizing their own Mac computer sales. Its a gamble on Apple's part, but it will pay off and within 2 years (by 2010) they will have a 50% marketshare on all new PC sales; not that OS X will completely replace Vista, but it will seamlessly extend it through advanced virtualization features... the average consumer doesn't really understand (or care) that they are running two OS's, they think of it more as an add-on... its "Windows Vista Plus Mac". They like the cool eye candy it offers and the iPod/iPhone enhancements it enables.

It is estimated that by 2010 the total world sales of PCs will be more than 1.5 billion (600 million in the US); Apple will be making more from the licensing of OS X than they ever did by selling the Mac.

All this occurs because the iPod and iPhone 'play well' with Windows Vista, but they work best with Mac OS X. The Mac becomes the ultimate accessory... funny eh? 
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