Surveys Point to Mac and iPhone Sales Momentum, Strong Tablet Interest

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/23/surveys-point-to-mac-and-iphone-sales-momentum-strong-tablet-interest/)

In a note to clients issued today, research analyst Mike Abramsky reported on the results of several recent RBC IQ/ChangeWave survey questions demonstrating surging Mac and iPhone sales momentum, as well as significant interest in a potential Apple tablet computer.

In a survey of customers who had purchased a computer within the past 90 days, 25% of respondents reported purchasing a Mac laptop, nearly matching previous highs set late last year and up from 18% in July. Abramsky notes that the sales spike has likely been driven by a combination of price cuts to Apple's notebook lines and back-to-school shopping. Apple's launch of Mac OS X Snow Leopard, generally-improving consumer electronics sales, increased brand awareness and iPhone-related spillover are also cited as factors in Apple's recent Mac rebound.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/09/23/094706-mac_sales_500.jpg

On the iPhone front, 30% of surveyed smartphone customers are now iPhone owners, up from 25% in June. Based on its research, RBC projects Apple to reach a 2% share of the total global mobile phone market this year with 22.8 million iPhones sold. RBC estimates that Apple's mobile phone market share will rise to over 4% on sales of 54.7 million iPhones in 2012.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/09/23/094706-iphone_estimates.jpg

An RBC IQ/ChangeWave survey question about a hypothetical Apple tablet priced in the $500-$700 range also revealed significant interest, with 21% of buyers noting that they would be interested in purchasing such a device. That data compares to only 9% of buyers who had expressed interest in purchasing the iPhone in April 2007 ahead of its launch.



Article Link: Surveys Point to Mac and iPhone Sales Momentum, Strong Tablet Interest (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/23/surveys-point-to-mac-and-iphone-sales-momentum-strong-tablet-interest/)

[mrochester]

I'm curious as to who the target Market is for a tablet, and what they will be using it for. It doesn't have the benefit of a laptop as it probably has no physical keyboard, and it doesn't have the size benefit of a touchscreen mobile phone. I think an Apple tablet will fit in a similar niche as the MacBook Air.

[kurenaiz]

Really hope they're making the tablet.

[talkingfuture]

The tablet must be the most wanted un-announced product ever. Must put a lot of pressure on those who are trying to perfect it.

[arkitect]

The tablet must be the most wanted un-announced product ever. Must put a lot of pressure on those who are trying to perfect it.

That'd be the Powerbook G5…
You also don't remember the breathless years of waiting for an Apple phone? :D

[The Samurai]

Will be interesting to see what Apple can bring to the table when it comes to the tablet.

[tncwood1]

An apple tablet is coming. Steve knows that he can make money on this product and that the market is primed and ready for it now. A few years ago that might not have been the case.

[cmfilms]

I'm curious as to who the target Market is for a tablet, and what they will be using it for.

I'm a video producer with a 17" MacBook Pro and an iMac. I don't want an iPhone because of the contract. What I want is something portable, but bigger than a Touch that I can use with iCal, Mail, watch movies, listen to music, view contracts and other PDFs and if it's a sweet gaming platform, even better.

I want to be able to run production schedules and equipment checklists at the touch of my finger. I might be niche, but I think the true value of the "iPad" will be the application designers and the ability to make it into what ever you want.

[motulist]

Desktops fell off a cliff compared to laptops! Hopefully this wakes Apple up and makes them start offering desktops that please more consumers, like a significantly upgraded mini, an imac with a matte screen, and (gosh) maybe even a mid tower.

[fastbite]

If the price is right, I'm in.

[crackbookpro]

If the tablet has the 3G service coming from Verizon... I'm in!

[crackbookpro]

Desktops fell off a cliff compared to laptops! Hopefully this wakes Apple up and makes them start offering desktops that please more consumers, like a significantly upgraded mini, an imac with a matte screen, and (gosh) maybe even a mid tower.

They do need a desktop to please more consumers... that is for sure ;)

[agkm800]

don't care about 3G which requires expensive monthly data plan.. I only want wi-fi.

If the price is $500, I am definitely in.

[ghostface147]

I have never understood the hoopla for a tablet. Apple's desktops and laptops are already a niche product with a worldwide market share in the low single digits. Based upon what several sites have reported, tablet demand is also a minor percentage of those existing Apple users. My thought is, whatever pricepoint the general consensus thinks is good for a tablet, Apple will charge at least 200 bucks more. No thanks, I'd rather have a much more powerful Mac Pro for real work and a quality MacBook Pro for my portable needs. YMMV.

[GigaWire]

I consulted my magic 8 ball about an Apple tablet. All it said was "My sources say no.". Sadly, I think this method of research will prove to be more accurate than the tablet rumor mongers.

[BongoBanger]

Good numbers and signs of an improving economy.

Macbooks still lead the class in notebooks (although I wonder how many of them are dual booting) so no surprise demand is high. I have to say I think their iPhone projections are high for 2012 - the smartphone market doesn't work like the iPod market.

[jmpage2]

I have never understood the hoopla for a tablet. Apple's desktops and laptops are already a niche product with a worldwide market share in the low single digits. Based upon what several sites have reported, tablet demand is also a minor percentage of those existing Apple users. My thought is, whatever pricepoint the general consensus thinks is good for a tablet, Apple will charge at least 200 bucks more. No thanks, I'd rather have a much more powerful Mac Pro for real work and a quality MacBook Pro for my portable needs. YMMV.

Typical ignorance.

Apple Marketshare has been hovering around 10% on new computer sales for a while now.

They also sell the majority of retail delivered systems costing over $1000.

Continue to bury your head in the sand about the fact that Apple mind share and momentum are growing with users.

MS caters to businesses and doesn't care about users. Apple caters to users.

[BongoBanger]

Typical ignorance.

Apple Marketshare has been hovering around 10% on new computer sales for a while now.

Actually it's less than 5% globally and has been for quite some time.

[jmpage2]

Good numbers and signs of an improving economy.

Macbooks still lead the class in notebooks (although I wonder how many of them are dual booting) so no surprise demand is high. I have to say I think their iPhone projections are high for 2012 - the smartphone market doesn't work like the iPod market.

People thought it would take five years for Apple to hit 1% of global phone market share too.

[jmpage2]

Actually it's less than 5% globally and has been for quite some time.

This article doesn't specify, but I've seen numerous articles pegging Apple at hovering near the 10% mark.

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/apple-market-share-tops-10-windows-share-lowest-since-tracking/

[Kobekes]

Don't people in a survey like this mean 'curious' if they say "I'm interested".

take the numbers with a grain of salt

[Vulpinemac]

I'm hearing three different arguments here, and oddly, one of them shows numbers far higher than most other analysts care to report (and all Windows zealots will refuse to acknowledge.)

So many other 'market analysts' have been holding Apple's computer sales in the US to well under 10% per quarter when compared to all other manufacturers. However, this chart seems to specifically note that not only are Apple's computer sales much higher than the average report, but at 25%, more than twice as high as even the most liberal report for the laptops. Even the 17% for desktops seems almost twice that reported by other analysts. Who's right? Is this taking into account the sub-notebooks popularly called netbooks? Or are those a different category not included in the general term of 'computers?'

Now, I do need to point out that at least some of those new purchases are by people wanting to 'look cool' while running Windows. Well, if nothing else, it gets the Apple brand out in more places--but as soon as someone comes up and asks, "What do you think of it?" and they reply with, "It runs Windows beautifully," that cool factor is going to disappear. Yes, even I run Windows through Boot Camp, but only for games that aren't Mac compatible; everything else I do, especially web browsing and blog commenting, are done through OS X Snow Leopard.

[jmpage2]

I'm hearing three different arguments here, and oddly, one of them shows numbers far higher than most other analysts care to report (and all Windows zealots will refuse to acknowledge.)

So many other 'market analysts' have been holding Apple's computer sales in the US to well under 10% per quarter when compared to all other manufacturers. However, this chart seems to specifically note that not only are Apple's computer sales much higher than the average report, but at 25%, more than twice as high as even the most liberal report for the laptops. Even the 17% for desktops seems almost twice that reported by other analysts. Who's right? Is this taking into account the sub-notebooks popularly called netbooks? Or are those a different category not included in the general term of 'computers?'

Now, I do need to point out that at least some of those new purchases are by people wanting to 'look cool' while running Windows. Well, if nothing else, it gets the Apple brand out in more places--but as soon as someone comes up and asks, "What do you think of it?" and they reply with, "It runs Windows beautifully," that cool factor is going to disappear. Yes, even I run Windows through Boot Camp, but only for games that aren't Mac compatible; everything else I do, especially web browsing and blog commenting, are done through OS X Snow Leopard.

It is possible that this is retail data that excludes online/web purchases and therefore presents Apple in a better light.

However, if Apple is gaining traction in the brick and mortar retail space it still spells trouble for other manufacturers down the road as overall Apple adoption rates seem to be up.

I've long viewed the iPhone as the "gateway drug" that will make PC users more comfortable with making the switch to a Mac, even desiring making the switch sooner due to the positive iPhone experience. I'm sure there are some Apple executives who would acknowledge that this is part of the Apple strategy.

[ghostface147]

Typical ignorance.


Not quite. Back in April, Apple announced its earnings for the first calendar quarter of 2009. They had revenues of $8.16 billion and a net quarterly profit of $1.21 billion. Mac sales were 2.22 million units, which equates to 3.36 percent worldwide market share. The financials are available on Apple's website for all to view.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/04/22results.html


In the US they hover around 10% as you stated, but that's why I used the word worldwide in bold.

[Chimpy]

If the screen is big enough, I'm in.

[polaris20]

I'm still interested, but I'm hoping it's not anything bigger than 9 or 10". The brief rumor that floated a couple weeks ago said they were prototyping a 15", and that's just too damn big.

[Westside guy]

I currently don't see how even an Apple tablet could have broad appeal - it seems like a niche product. However at one time I said similar things about the Macbook Air. Then I used one; and now I own one and LOVE it. :D So who knows, a tablet-ish device done right might appeal to a lot of people - but if Apple does release one, I really doubt it's going to be a tablet computer in the typical sense of the term (and that's a good thing).

[dernhelm]

I've got $800 stuffed in a mattress, either I get a tablet when announced, or wait until I can raise the difference for a PB 13".

Of course, it would depend on _what_ was actually announced...

[firewood]

I'm curious as to who the target Market is for a tablet, and what they will be using it for. It doesn't have the benefit of a laptop as it probably has no physical keyboard, and it doesn't have the size benefit of a touchscreen mobile phone. I think an Apple tablet will fit in a similar niche as the MacBook Air.

No. If it exists, it will most likely fit nearly the same niche as the iPod Touch... except for people who need reading glasses or who want to see bigger web pages and apps.

That's my guess.

[sjo]

In the US they hover around 10% as you stated, but that's why I used the word worldwide in bold.

due to the decades of underfunding of education in the us, most citizens knowadays believe that "world" is an entity consisting of both east and west cost. those who follow baseball may include parts of canada as well.

[*LTD*]

due to the decades of underfunding of education in the us, most citizens knowadays believe that "world" is an entity consisting of both east and west cost. those who follow baseball may include parts of canada as well.

Hehe . . .

[BongoBanger]

I'm hearing three different arguments here, and oddly, one of them shows numbers far higher than most other analysts care to report (and all Windows zealots will refuse to acknowledge.)

You can argue that with IDC and Gartner, chief.

[OllyW]

This article doesn't specify, but I've seen numerous articles pegging Apple at hovering near the 10% mark.

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/01/02/apple-market-share-tops-10-windows-share-lowest-since-tracking/

They are still around 3.5% worldwide. This slide isn't up to date, but it shows their market share since 1998.

195830

Though the latest Gartner report doesn't state Apple's market share as they don't feature in the top 5, they obviously have a smaller share than Toshiba's 5%.

195831

It is in the US where they do really well, up to 8.7% in the last quarter.

195832

[ob81]

I wonder if this Apple tablet thing is something that fans just cooked up. I need something from Apple. Everyone wants an Apple tablet. Will we get it?

[Vulpinemac]

They are still around 3.5% worldwide. This slide isn't up to date, but it shows their market share since 1998.

195830

Though the latest Gartner report doesn't state Apple's market share as they don't feature in the top 5, they obviously have a smaller share than Toshiba's 5%.

195831

It is in the US where they do really well, up to 8.7% in the last quarter.

195832

This is exactly why I questioned the charts in this article. Nobody else is reporting Apple's sales anywhere near as high. But then, at the same time, maybe they're being paid by someone to report lower numbers? If so, whoever it is must have some awfully deep pockets.

[inkswamp]

This is exactly why I questioned the charts in this article. Nobody else is reporting Apple's sales anywhere near as high. But then, at the same time, maybe they're being paid by someone to report lower numbers? If so, whoever it is must have some awfully deep pockets.

Market share reporting is tricky because the definition of a given market is a moving target. If you look at Apple's market share worldwide, it's going to be different than in the U.S. Likewise, it's going to look different if you look at just consumer/home users versus the entire market (i.e., including business where Apple traditionally doesn't compete much at all.)

[*LTD*]

I wonder if this Apple tablet thing is something that fans just cooked up. I need something from Apple. Everyone wants an Apple tablet. Will we get it?

You got an iPod.
You got an iPod Touch.
You got an iPhone.
You got all kinds of Macbooks.

Apple is in the business of giving you cool and useful things. Not years from now, but today. Come next year, and you'll see Apple shaking things up again. I mean, this is Steve Jobs plus his team we're talking about. Same ones that gave you all that other good stuff. Nothing has changed at Apple.

[RedTomato]

I'm hearing three different arguments here, and oddly, one of them shows numbers far higher than most other analysts care to report (and all Windows zealots will refuse to acknowledge.)

So many other 'market analysts' have been holding Apple's computer sales in the US to well under 10% per quarter when compared to all other manufacturers. However, this chart seems to specifically note that not only are Apple's computer sales much higher than the average report, but at 25%, more than twice as high as even the most liberal report for the laptops. Even the 17% for desktops seems almost twice that reported by other analysts. Who's right? Is this taking into account the sub-notebooks popularly called netbooks? Or are those a different category not included in the general term of 'computers?'

As said above, it's very difficult to measure. Apple may not sell many, but they grab a huge share of the profit. They're one of the world's highest profiting computer companies. Maybe they're overly highly marked up, but there are plenty of people willing to pay that.

Diamonds are worth no more than £5 to me, but other people will pay £50,000 for a 2 gram diamond, so that sets their market value.

Another difficult factor is that traditionally Apple computers last far longer than Windows computers. I still see print shops, design companies aand orther organisations with iMac G4s (the 'lamp' design) and G4 PowerMacs (graphite case) in use daily. A Windows PC of the same age would have been thrown out long ago.

Some people say Apple last 2x longer or even 3x longer, meaning if you want to count the total number of people using Apple, long term Apple sales figures should be tripled compared to PCs to get an idea of how many Apples are still being used. Sorry if that wasn't very clear, but I hope you get the idea. As usual, take this with a handful of salt.

[m828s]

I can't wait for the tablet. I want something larger than the iPhone that I can carry around with me around the house, and I want it to be smaller than a laptop. I want something book-sized that I can set next to my Cheerios, swiping pages with my left hand while I shovel whole grains in my mouth with the other.

I don't want to pay 180 bucks every 6 months for daily newspaper delivery. I want to read the paper on my tablet, and I want to read books on my tablet, and what I really really really want is a tablet that uses something like the Pixel Qi technology that switches back and forth between e-ink and lcd, or something like the Microsoft mock-ups that show two screens -- one lcd and one e-ink would be nice.

A combo display lcd/e-ink could be the killer killer app. Books are going to be effing huge on this thing. G'bye B & N.

I just saw a Sony commercial, I think during The Good Wife, advertising their e-book reader. This tablet could be very, very big.

The tablet will transmit media for the user to consume -- movies, browsing, books, music, games. That will be its only function, although I'm sure it will include "lite" software like email, iCal, maybe Pages, etc.

The device will not be for productivity. Leave that to the iMacs and MBPs.

I want books electronically. I want movies on that bigger screen, for the long car ride or the plane or the long line at the neighborhood BMV. I want to carry it around with me. I want it, I want it, I want it. :-)

I think people that say that they don't want an "oversized" iPod Touch will be quite surprised to find out, rather quickly that in fact a giant Touch is exactly what they want after all.

Carried from room to room to room, wi fi connectivity, the internet everywhere. The real internet -- on a screen sized for consumption -- not a tiny screen that will quickly become merely what everyone "makes do" with when they're on the go and choose not to take the tablet with them.

Can't wait.

[iphones4evry1]

If the Tablet doubles as an eBook reader and a notepad, college students will flock to buy Apple Tablets.
:apple: :)

[SDChargers]

I've long viewed the iPhone as the "gateway drug" that will make PC users more comfortable with making the switch to a Mac, even desiring making the switch sooner due to the positive iPhone experience. I'm sure there are some Apple executives who would acknowledge that this is part of the Apple strategy.



Thats why I came to Mac over a year ago :D

Now I have a Imac, Macbook Pro, and other :apple: Products

[I WAS the one]

Are they trying to justify the production of the new tablets? What they dont understand about this new tablet? Start making those damn tablets, I will buy 4 of them pre-order!

[Vulpinemac]

... people are finally getting a clue. Apple's product manage to do something none of the other makers have done--made computing efficient, easy and fun, all in one package.

In my personal opinion, an Apple tablet, made as forward thinking as every Apple product this century, will probably make every other device currently being announced look klunky and worthless once it hits the market.

[twoodcc]

wow, the iphone is doing great. and hopefully that will continue. also, i would be one of those interested in a tablet