A post to the blog of CNet news.com journalist Ina Fried points out that the same day that Steve Jobs announced Apple's plans to adopt Intel chips, the company filed a trademark application for the term "Mactel."
I'd also prefer MacIntel to MacTel. Sounds like a cheap telephone company. (actually there is a discount long diatance company in Canada called WinTel). Actually, all the names I have heard, I dislike MacIntel the least, that is to say I don't like it either.
But, somehow I don't think Apple is going to tie their product names to the name of another company. They never have before, There wasn't MotoMac, or MacIBM or IBMac.
They have however tied in the processor name or a part of it anyway, i.e. PowerMac from PowerPC.
Perhaps we will see iMac-x86, or PowerMac x86. Don't like those either.
Maybe the names will have nothing to do with the cpu and they will start using other elements or made up words like other companys do, or usig their code names like they have with the OS, or just words that sound catchy like they used to(i.e. 'Quattro')
Maybe they will just use X, like they did for the OS. Macintosh X Professional, iMacX. This could tie in both the OS and the cpu.
I don't know. I just blindly assume that Apple will use names that capture the essence of the computers, like PowerMac did/does; is marketable and is catchy.
It's a silly name they'd never use, even if Intel let them--but it's smart to TM it preventively. And maybe some other similar terms too.
People are informally referring to Intel Macs as "Mactels" etc. anyway. Now imagine the confusion in a year if some company starts selling computers CALLED Mactels! Especially while many people are still assuming you can soon put OS X on any PC at all. (They might even pirate OS X and sell it, in a country without enforced piracy laws!)
Somebody would be bound to do it. Apple's dodging that confusion.
It's a silly name they'd never use, even if Intel let them--but it's smart to TM it preventively. And maybe some other similar terms too.
People are informally referring to Intel Macs as "Mactels" etc. anyway. Now imagine the confusion in a year if some company starts selling computers CALLED Mactels! Especially while many people are still assuming you can soon put OS X on any PC at all. (They might even pirate OS X and sell it, in a country without enforced piracy laws!)
Somebody would be bound to do it. Apple's dodging that confusion.
I agree with your post...except the part about protecting themselves in countries without enforced privacy laws...in which case those companies would still use Mactel if they wanted to.
They will probably just sit on this one as a CYA, everyone uses it now, but I cannot see this being a product name for apple, they just dont want someone else to make somthing with that name (think 1-2 years from now is there is a PCI card or software to allow OSX to run on cheapo boxes(think x box mod chips))
Comments
Originally posted by Outsider
Wasn't MacTell a clone company? I guess that extra 'L' makes a difference.
I thought MacTell was a telecommunications company?
Originally posted by onlooker
I thought MacTell was a telecommunications company?
http://www.mactel.de/
http://www.mactel.gr/
http://www.mactel.com.au/
http://www.mactel.net
http://www.mactel.co.uk/
http://www.mactelcommunications.com/
http://www.monitorworld.com/Monitors/mactel/
There are probably more but I got tired of looking.
ets da best !!!
Originally posted by JoeAlamaiz
bhhah... i would love "MacIntel"... it feels more natural...
Yup. Mactel just does not sound right. I'd go for MacIntel myself.
Mac Os X-86
But, somehow I don't think Apple is going to tie their product names to the name of another company. They never have before, There wasn't MotoMac, or MacIBM or IBMac.
They have however tied in the processor name or a part of it anyway, i.e. PowerMac from PowerPC.
Perhaps we will see iMac-x86, or PowerMac x86. Don't like those either.
Maybe the names will have nothing to do with the cpu and they will start using other elements or made up words like other companys do, or usig their code names like they have with the OS, or just words that sound catchy like they used to(i.e. 'Quattro')
Maybe they will just use X, like they did for the OS. Macintosh X Professional, iMacX. This could tie in both the OS and the cpu.
I don't know. I just blindly assume that Apple will use names that capture the essence of the computers, like PowerMac did/does; is marketable and is catchy.
It's a silly name they'd never use, even if Intel let them--but it's smart to TM it preventively. And maybe some other similar terms too.
People are informally referring to Intel Macs as "Mactels" etc. anyway. Now imagine the confusion in a year if some company starts selling computers CALLED Mactels! Especially while many people are still assuming you can soon put OS X on any PC at all. (They might even pirate OS X and sell it, in a country without enforced piracy laws!)
Somebody would be bound to do it. Apple's dodging that confusion.
Originally posted by nagromme
They might even pirate OS X and sell it, in a country without enforced piracy laws!
How did you find out about my über secret business plan?
... that we will ALL soon be getting iMACtelies, Mac Telephone.
Perhaps.
Really though, I think its defensive strategy. This term should not be used for existing product lines.
Originally posted by Unfiltered
Apple may just be taking a trademark on it strictly to prevent others from doing the same, and have no intention of using it themselves.
i totally agree.
btw, i'm still standing behind
Apple g6 Sextium
... Windy !!!
Originally posted by Unfiltered
Apple may just be taking a trademark on it strictly to prevent others from doing the same, and have no intention of using it themselves.
Best reply. Good guy. Even unfiltered
Originally posted by nagromme
Yes, this is just preventive.
It's a silly name they'd never use, even if Intel let them--but it's smart to TM it preventively. And maybe some other similar terms too.
People are informally referring to Intel Macs as "Mactels" etc. anyway. Now imagine the confusion in a year if some company starts selling computers CALLED Mactels! Especially while many people are still assuming you can soon put OS X on any PC at all. (They might even pirate OS X and sell it, in a country without enforced piracy laws!)
Somebody would be bound to do it. Apple's dodging that confusion.
I agree with your post...except the part about protecting themselves in countries without enforced privacy laws...in which case those companies would still use Mactel if they wanted to.
"MacTel" could be another "iPhone" name, however, rather than a name for the computer.