Soc7777777 said:
so it all comes down to one fact... apple makes a superior product, but has poor poor sales... thats doing a bad job in marketing whether my suggestion would help or hurt... and you cant say its because people inherently look down upon apple due to the past because people have embraced the ipod quite nicely (b/c apple promoted it)...
No, that is not the only fact that keeps Apple from growing. I will not argue that Apple could do more for marketing, but there is more to it than that.
Take Toshiba for example, have them spin off a new company under a new name without anyone knowing it. Have them sell all of the SAME computers, this time running OSX. Now give those computers the same marketing that Toshiba now enjoys, heck, give them MORE marketing. Do you really think that the same Toshiba's, under a new name running OSX are going to sell just as well as the current line up running windows?
There are a few other facts that lead to Apple not growing.
A: One of the things that Makes Apple so great is also a downside, OSX, it aint Windows.
B: Many people not in the "know" don't know Apple exists, and people not in "the know" are the ones currently buying the bulk of computers.
C: People still have MANY misperceptions concerning Apple computers.
Example: Many people on these boards have told stories about how people commented on their Powerbooks ect on airlines and such. These people thought the Apple computers looked awesome, but preceded to ask - "Which IBM model is that?". They didn't even know what to think of the Apple symbol on the back. Same thing has happened with the iPod, but not so much.
My Girl Friend who happens to not be blond, is one of those people that enjoys knowing lots of stuff, and knows at least a little bit about everything. She isn't a nerd when it comes to computers, but she knows her way around Windows fairly well. She herself thought that Apples could only use a 4 button mouse when I first met her. Today, after letting her use OSX on my PB, she is more than willing to get a Mac the next time around.
It's pretty easy to think that the world views the tech world the way we do, but in reality, they don't. They will buy what they're friends have, and they won't take risks. If they don't see it, they won't buy it. The internet is bring about huge market research before a purchase, but most people don't use that yet. I think with the next generation, and the introduction of the iPod (some of the best marketing money can by IMHO) will will see a slow change in market share over the next 10-30 years.
The fact is most of the major companies could STOP marketing and the user base and word of mouth would carry them for a long time. Anyone ever see Microsoft adds on TV? no. Because they don't need it. The user base carries it's self. When billy joe goes to buy a computer, he's going to buy what timmy down the street has, and more than likely, that is going to be a Widows based machine.
Tyler
Earendil
ps
anyone care to give numbers on what the individual PC manufacturers actually hold in laptop user base? I know Apple has like 7-9%, and I can think of 6 other laptop manufacturers off the top of my head (IBM, Sony, Toshiba, HP, Fuji, Dell) And I know there are many other minor ones (AlienWare?). So if we put Apple at 8% market share, that leaves the other 6 (not counting companies I'm forgetting) at 15.33% a piece. That's not even twice Apples market share. I'd say that seeing as Portable sales are looking up for Apple (not down) that they are doing QUITE well considering mind share and past history. But does anyone have real numbers?
