. . . stuff omitted . . .
> most of the software providers are also actively trying to port their
> software to the PowerMac,
. . . stuff omitted . . .
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software emulation of 68xxx is no inducement for people to buy new
hardware. Unless Apple increases its market share significantly
and soon, they're dead.
As for ports to PowerMac--
I'm not sure it's even "a large fraction" let alone "most." Outside
of certain niches (DTP, some special purpose scientific apps), many
companies that you'd think have lots of resources have decided to
postpone native code apps for PowerMac. Their rationale: > 85% of
hardware sales are Intel, and their own software sales statistics are
similar. Furthermore, they're having enough trouble keeping up with
the shifting sands of Win 3.1, NT, 95 etc. (gotta figure out all those
undocumented calls that Bill's boys keep to themselves).
Specific example: MathSoft (their product--MathCad) sales for DOS/Win
were > 80% of total sales, and the Mac fraction was trending downward,
_so_ as of a couple months ago they weren't going to bother with
native code MathCad for PowerMac.
If you like PowerMacs and want to see them thrive, encourage your
favorite software mfrs to port to the PowerMac!
--Ted