> but you know the old adage, “If you are not paying for the product, then you are the product.”
Isn't that a bit ironic considering Windows' two widely-regarded competitors (MacOS and Linux) technically cost nothing?
Isn't that a bit ironic considering Windows' two widely-regarded competitors (MacOS and Linux) technically cost nothing?
By that logic the normal people are still in the clear, as most OEMs bundle a Windows license with the prebuilts they sell.
I just found the wording of the article funny, since it seems to run contrary to their report.
The software is free (to download), it is not freely licensed though.
You would be able to lawfully download it, but you would only be able to lawfully use it on an Apple-branded computer (which, by definition legally speaking, requires a computer that was legally manufactured by Apple).
Look up Apple Inc. v. Psystar Corp., a company that tried to get around Apple's EULA for this exact clause using every gymnastic of law imaginable. They lost multiple appeals, were charged millions in damages, and went bankrupt.
I get what you're saying, but MacOS isn't cost free. It's only sold bundled with Apple hardware, and you must buy both.
So, agree to disagree. The preeminent point is that Microsoft is the only one charging directly for the licensing of their software, which is ironic if it spies on you incessantly. Agreed?
MacOS comes with a Kext called "Don't Steal MacOS", also known as "DSMOS." If it detects you are running on unapproved hardware, it stops your boot and also echos this message to your logs:
"Your karma check for today: There once was a user that whined, his existing OS was so blind, he'd do better to pirate an OS that ran great, but found his hardware declined. Please don't steal Mac OS! Really, that's way uncool. (C) Apple Computer, Inc."
It's not just a simple detection either, but actually uses encryption to decrypt certain MacOS components after the verification check (namely, Finder, Dock, SystemUIServer, some others). Removing or bypassing DSMOS is required for all Hackintoshing tools, and it's actually a DMCA violation do that (see Apple vs. Psystar). Legally, removing it is the equivalent of removing or disabling Windows Activation, or using a Windows Activation crack tool.
The bypass is most often accomplished with the simulated, fake SMC. However, (again) legally, that qualifies as a DMCA circumvention tool by including the specific key that MacOS is looking for.
Says $139 for Windows 11 Home