Apple Mac Sales Flat in November

[MacRumors]

Early numbers from NPD Group reveal that Apple's retail sales numbers for November have shown flat year-over-year growth. Declining Mac desktop sales are said to be playing a major role in these relatively poor numbers. In November, Mac desktop sales were down 38 percent while Windows desktops fell only 15 percent. In contrast, however, Apple's notebook sales outperformed the industry with 22 percent growth as compared to a rise of only 15 percent for Windows. Viewed together, Apple's overall Mac sales were down 1% year-over-year.

Analysts blame a number of factors including the economic downturn and the relative premium of pricing of Apple's Macs.

The November data indicate that falling prices for Windows-based PCs, and the rise of low-priced computers like netbooks -- mini notebooks that cost as little as $300 -- have finally tripped Apple, said Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray, who still expects Apple to continue outpacing the market over the next year. "What you're seeing in the numbers is price sensitivity with the consumer," he said.

NPD analyst Stephen Barker, however, points out simply that the "iMacs need a refresh". As a result, it may be hard to tease out external factors versus product cycle factors. As shown in our Buyer's Guide, all of Apple's desktop Macs (Mac mini, Mac Pro, iMac) are overdue for refresh. The Mac mini is particularly outdated with the last update delivered over 16 months ago. Apple is expected to refresh the iMac, Mac mini and Mac Pro early next year.



Article Link: Apple Mac Sales Flat in November

[amacperson]

this is a sign for apple to cut prices!

They have always been charging excessively, now they should compete in the recession price margin.

Amacperson

[CrackedButter]

Good, nothing like a bit of external pressure on Apple to update its machines.

[zombitronic]

I really hate that I'm seeing this story all over the web. The fact that their desktops (minus the iMac) haven't been updated in about a year (Mac Pro) or more (Mac Mini) can't be helping this data.

[Biolizard]

The recession will hit premium products hard. Look at the car industry. And what class of product does Apple specialise in? More people will be looking at Macs and thinking 'I can't justify the money' now.

On the other hand, nice to see the laptops keeping up. The new design is a great factor but probably also because laptops are a different market. I for one would not buy an Apple desktop because they're too expensive for what they do and don't meet my needs (no intermediate tower, and I hate the iMac), but the laptops are much more up my street, and they are becoming more popular as a desktop replacement these days.

Will be interesting to see whether Apple does anything about this at Macworld.

[Kebabselector]

Not that many bought Mac Pros or Minis anyway (though my local Apple store still sells more Minis than Pros).

[talkingfuture]

How official are these figures? I can't see Apple releasing them outside of their earnings reports. Are these just analyst predictions?

[Techguy172]

Good Lets update the Mini now! Apple really needs to get of their A$$ with the Desktops.

[goodcow]

Apple's pricing for a product at time of release is generally pretty competitive, I just think it's ridiculous that their prices are set in stone at that point until the line is updated, possibly up to a year and a half later.

It's ridiculous that the MacPro still comes with 2GB RAM. The Mini should be about half the price they currently are. The MacBook Pro should have 4GB RAM standard since the MacBook has 2GB. etc.

[alexbates]

I didn't expect for desktop sales to be declining more than Windows...

[Tallest Skil]

Originally Posted by amacperson

They have always been charging excessively...

It's not excessive if people pay it.

But there's never anything wrong with a price cut.

[manowarwi]

Originally Posted by alexbates

I didn't expect for desktop sales to be declining more than Windows...

Apple has been pushing users towards laptops for a while now and with the redesigned laptops as well as the neglect towards the Mini this is to be expected (which is why Apple's notebook sales are outperforming the PC sales). Times like this I'm sure Apple is happy they are sitting on 25 billion in cash.

[TheWarIsNotOver]

People are just waiting for Mac OS X Snow Leopard, or waiting for new iMac updates, that may be why they are waiting to buy a new Macbook or iMac. It sure is the reason why I'm not buying anything

[PeterQVenkman]

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

It's not excessive if people pay it.

But there's never anything wrong with a price cut.

Truth!

Although I was pretty impressed with what you get for your money in the mac pros. An 8 core monster from Apple is pretty competitive with other companies.

That doesn't mean it's affordable, just competitive.

It's also the reason why I went with a previous gen Macbook Pro. It was just cheaper.

[steve333]

Apple's computers are built in China, along with all the other crap we buy. There's no reason for prices to be as high as they are.
The only reason to justify it would be if they were built in the U.S. The MBP is built in China.
Update the Mini and stop being so arrogant, Apple.

[zombitronic]

Originally Posted by talkingfuture

How official are these figures? I can't see Apple releasing them outside of their earnings reports. Are these just analyst predictions?

These figures are calculated from data collected by the NPD Group, Inc. (formerly National Purchase Diary), which tracks retail sales. Of course, these figures aren't going to be as accurate as the figures that Apple gives out at their earnings, but these research groups still hold some merit. It should be noted, however, that Apple usually understates their expected sales for the quarter and has beaten their own predictions for the last few years. Hopefully, despite the economy, they achieve this again.

One good thing about being tight on money for the foreseeable future is that, in theory, people may put more thought into a value purchase, as opposed to something that will need to be replaced or upgraded soon. Spend now, save later.

[Shiner]

Originally Posted by steve333

Apple's computers are built in China, along with all the other crap we buy. There's no reason for prices to be as high as they are.
The only reason to justify it would be if they were built in the U.S. The MBP is built in China.
Update the Mini and stop being so arrogant, Apple.

This is so true!! Thank you for saying it finally. People the parts are all the same. Apple bring down the price. At least bring down the price of your desktops. Keep the laptop price where ever you want it. You have done enough research on your own.

[gwangung]

Originally Posted by amacperson

this is a sign for apple to cut prices!

They have always been charging excessively, now they should compete in the recession price margin.

Amacperson

This is a myth.

Apple's margins are pretty much in line with any manufacturing company's margins, and substantially lower than most software makers.

[iOrlando]

i dont know about you guys...but i liked my 7.7% discount on my macbook on black friday......

imporant to note once again: macbook sales are still postive. Desktop computers are the problem (will be solved in January).

[SleepyHead157]

Apple won't cut prices, but they need to keep refreshing their lineup to make people keep coming back. I mean I could use a Mac Mini. I have an older one at home, but looking for a refreshed one for work so I won't have to carry my macbook to work and back. So if Apple could come out with some like that would be great.

Plus the economy has been down and most people are not willing to spend their extra cash on a high priced macbook and instead are settling for the cheaper netbooks and such

[MacTraveller]

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

It's not excessive if people pay it.

But there's never anything wrong with a price cut.

Even a modest price cut would be welcome. Add to that a refresh of the iMac line... and count me in as a Mac (desktop) buyer in 2009.

[iOrlando]

Originally Posted by Shiner

This is so true!! Thank you for saying it finally. People the parts are all the same. Apple bring down the price. At least bring down the price of your desktops. Keep the laptop price where ever you want it. You have done enough research on your own.

yeah since dell and hp also make all their laptops from one piece of aluminum. and have multi-touch trackpads installed on all laptops..


come on....lets get our facts straight.

[HyperZboy]

Originally Posted by alexbates

I didn't expect for desktop sales to be declining more than Windows...

3 Words: I Told You SO!

If Apple had the Mac products that people wanted to buy across the board, Mac desktop sales would NOT be falling faster than Windows sales. That's pretty much proof positive that Steve Jobs was once again wrong.

Instead of updating Mac Pros or releasing that mythical Mac mini-tower or updating the Mac Mini, Steve Jobs has stubbornly stuck to his guns and instead is wasting money suing PSYSTAR, who actually has such a product. Geez, even the Apple TV has been updated more often and nobody even wants that dog of a product!

And in a worsening economy, Apple is going to pay a high price without adjusting quickly. So far, I see nothing happening. Apple missed the boat this Christmas season and by the time MacWorld Expo comes around, everyone will be flat broke or unemployed. Geez, what bad decision-making.

Somebody needs to tap Steve Jobs on the shoulder and give him a hint.
I think he's been spending way too much time playing with his iPhone instead of his Macs.

[RogueWarrior65]

Flat is flat not going down and it has everything to do with the economy. I'll bet that sales go up in December. People are holding off until the holidays to buy.

And no, Apple does NOT need to cut prices. The products have never been over-inflated like houses or shares of dot-com stocks. If you went into a Ferrari dealership and said "Your sales are flat. Time to lower your prices," they'd thank you for the best bought of ROTFL they've had in months.

[capoeirista]

Originally Posted by HyperZboy

3 Words: I Told You SO!

Eh?

It would be nice if they were a bit cheaper. Rip-off Britain FTL. Also it would be nice to update my G4 mini I use for work...