Apple Ranks Third in Global PC Sales With iPad Included

[tatonka]

Sure, but I was just making the point that activation is not really a significant issue as to what market an iPad competes in.

It's "limitations" are only significant depending on what you use it for. An iPad can be used as a standalone computer for a lot of people. But, again, that has little to do with what market it competes in. Second or third computers are still counted in the PC market.

Activation is not. But you do need a computer for more things that just activation with the iPad. Backup, update, synchronization of files to name a few.

I agree that for many people an iPad is a computer replacement .. but that doesn't make it a computer or at least not more of a computer than an iPhone or an iPod touch is a computer.

T.

 

[TimUSCA]

The same could be said about netbooks. (Except for the file structure part, of course.)



Again, the same could have been said about netbooks.

I disagree. While there is certainly some grey area, Netbooks run software like any Windows PC does, albeit less powerful.

It all boils down to the OS in my opinion. PC sales should only include computers that run a full OS like Windows, OS X, or Linux.

 

[Fraaaa]

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By definition a computer is a programmable machine that computes mathematical and logical operation. It's silly to argue that the iPad is not a computer.

The fact is that we are passing through a different generation of computers and this started when a computer OS ran for the first time on a phone. Smartphones are computers too, these categories are going to blur those boundaries overtime.

Don't argue about full OS, real multitasking and else because the first computers history brought were big as a room, were working with cardboards and calculating with valves.

 

[res1233]

Competition is everything when comparing sales! There is no point in comparing the number of bananas sold in Tesco to the number of cars sold by BMW.

Reading comprehension fail. I didn't say competition has nothing to do with comparing, i said that it doesn't have much to do with wether or not having iPads in the comparison is valid. I thought brits had good english skills.

 

[Zunjine]

If we consider the way in which an iPad is used it certainly looks a lot like a computer in the vast majority of cases.

Consider the car market. I could buy an all terrain vehicle or I could buy a sports car. Both are cars but they don't really compete with one another. I doubt whether Jaguar worries when Land Rover launches a new model. See what I mean? They are both cars and are similar in all the basic ways - they can even be used for some of the the same things - but they don't compete directly.

But then, consider entertainment. The use of the internet for web surfing and social networking has reduced the amount of TV that teenagers watch. The net isn't the same as TV in the vast majority of ways but it still competes.

You can see then that being similar is not the thing that decides if you compete but rather the need you fill. If you concede this point then you must concede that since the iPad fills the need for web browsing and media consumption as well as basic computing tasks such as word processing and email - the exact same needs which are filled by traditional computers for the vast majority of people - it can legitimately be considered a competitor and counted in the same sales figures.

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

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The term PC has an arbitrary definition anyway. Just because an ipad can't do everything a PC can doesn't mean it isn't a computer. Heck, a calculator is a computer!

In the end, all that matters is profits. And Apple has plenty of those.

 

[BaldiMac]

Activation is not. But you do need a computer for more things that just activation with the iPad. Backup, update, synchronization of files to name a few.

I agree that for many people an iPad is a computer replacement .. but that doesn't make it a computer or at least not more of a computer than an iPhone or an iPod touch is a computer.

I disagree. While there is certainly some grey area, Netbooks run software like any Windows PC does, albeit less powerful.

It all boils down to the OS in my opinion. PC sales should only include computers that run a full OS like Windows, OS X, or Linux.

I'm not getting it to the discussion on whether or not it is a computer. It's a stupid argument to say it's not a computer.

Market analysis has nothing to do with what you consider to be a computer or not. It's about analyzing the relationship between competing products. The iPad obviously had a huge effect on netbook sales. Netbooks are included in the PC market. Therefore, the iPad competes in the PC market. It's not really that confusing or controversial or even a matter of opinion.

 

[JGuez]

No, you don't have to own another computer to set it up. You just have to connect if briefly to another computer to activate it.

Well which one is it? You just contradicted yourself. Are you suggesting every time I want to update it with software, music, pictures and videos I go to a friend's house?

Sounds 'magical'.

Actually, it's similar to Windows in that way.

Umm no. We just bought a Windows computer for the office. I set it up, and did not have to plug it to another computer. (Same for all the Macs I've purchased.)

Most people don't write applications on their computers.

And what do they write them on, they're iPods?

ALL applications are written on computers.

That would imply that they are in the same market if you are choosing between the two to accomplish the same tasks. This is a market analysis, not a technical definition analysis.



You wouldn't include an iPod touch in a PC market analysis, because the iPod touch doesn't compete in the PC market. A significant number of people have not been shown to buy an iPod touch instead of a laptop or desktop.

Not going to disagree here. Just had to quote you on the other ones because of how stupid they were.

 

[Vulpinemac]

Nice try, iPad is not for serious "computing".

That depends on your definition of "serious computing". If you're talking about serious computing for the consumer, it's fully capable of almost everything they need or want in a computer. If you're talking about serious computing for the IT specialist, it is no less capable than a netbook, especially if you use a case than includes a bluetooth keyboard, letting you use it as tablet or notebook as needed.

 

[pohl]

Nice try, iPad is not for serious "computing".

"Nice try, PCs are not for serious 'computing'" — mainframe fanboy, latter 80s.

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

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I wonder when Apple will start shipping iPads "ready to use"? Remember when you used to buy a PC and the first thing you had to do was install the software?

Updating can be done at the Apple store. It's like having the software in you car updated. The dealer does it.

I'm sure Apple let's people activate their iPads in store if they have no PC at home.

In other news, people are arguing on the Internet. Film at 11.

 

[*LTD*]

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The iPad is a computer. Feel free to believe otherwise, though. You have every right to be wrong.

 

[Zunjine]

Just to get some sanity into this conversation - the above is a computer. It can't run windows. You can't surf the net on it. It doesn't even have a floppy drive.

It's the Z1 and was built in 1936 I believe.

So please - can we move away from arguing over the definition of computer and realise that this conversation is about what something is used for. If I hit someone with a massive leg of lamb and they die then that leg of lamb is a murder weapon. I doubt you would find it in most armouries though.

 

[Tailpike1153]

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By definition a computer is a programmable machine that computes mathematical and logical operation. It's silly to argue that the iPad is not a computer.

The fact is that we are passing through a different generation of computers and this started when a computer OS ran for the first time on a phone. Smartphones are computers too, these categories are going to blur those boundaries overtime.

Don't argue about full OS, real multitasking and else because the first computers history brought were big as a room, were working with cardboards and calculating with valves.

I agree. For sales, analysts will need make hard definitions. There are computers in everything. My canon digital cameras probably has as much processing power as an original iPhone or 2G. More power than the EPson equity plus in my storage unit. The big bazooka lens on the front disqualifies them. I think there is even a distro/hack of Linux that is small enough to run on digital cameras.

 

[orfeas0]

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exactly. they say iPad has 80% (or more) of the tablet market , and they don't even count windows tablets as tablets. and now they're counting iPad as a pc? WTF?

It's called a market analysis. A product can compete in different markets. The two markets that the iPad has been discussed in are the overall PC market and a newly invented "media tablet" market. There is no hypocrisy in the fact that these markets overlap.

Banana market share can be analyzed in the "fruit" market or the larger "fresh produce market."

Market analysis blabla. Do they count all the tablets as PCs or just the ipad? Like, does the galaxy tab count too? Or dell streak? They sure should. And the argument "you can buy an iPad instead of a netbook" doesn't really make sense. I would buy an ipod touch instead of an ipad, and an ipad over a netbook, ergo, the ipod touch is a pc!

 

[OllyW]

The iPad is a computer. Feel free to believe otherwise, though. You have every right to be wrong.

Of course it's a computer. I just think it's a bit limited in it's capabilities to be lumped into the same class as a PC.

 

[Vulpinemac]

Please explain. You need to activate Windows using Internet, but you never need another computer to activate it. iPad can't be used until you have installed iTunes to another computer and connected iPad to that computer.

You've not been paying attention, have you? When you buy an iPad at the Apple Store, they will offer to activate it for you, so you don't even need to connect it to another machine at home unless you want to. True, you'll miss out on iOS updates, but any other software will update over the air with no difficulty at all.

 

[logandzwon]

blah blah blah

It is a fair comparison when you consider most people with a lap top are not doing "serious computing".

Never-mind the fact most PEOPLE are not doing "serious computing."

 

[RawBert]

Since April 3, 2010, I surf the internet more than I ever did before. I send more emails, buy more crap on eBay and read more MR.

Not bad for a "non-computer" as a lot of you consider it.

BTW, of course it's a computer. A slave computer, but nevertheless a computer. A more personal computer than any - to me.

I still love my Macs. I do all my art on them. The iPad cannot substitute the Mac on a lot of things. These numbers are just to show how strong the iPad has sold.

 

[inlovewithi]

The ipad is a computer the same way a Super Nintendo and my cell phone is a computer. Just like the PC is a computer, but they don't all go into the same category. There's a significant difference in the form factor and how people use them. I mean come on. I know some people will ignore all that because they like the idea of Apple being in 3rd place and they'll take anyway they can, but the iPad is not even a Mac.

Edit: If the lady in the article has to make special conditions like saying that it must have at least a 7 inch screen or something (as if she invented the computer) just to keep iPhones and other cell phones out of the equation, then the iPad is not a computer.

Edit Again: I re read that part and I don't think it was a lady, just that I confused the name as a girl's name. Also, look at it like this, the Nintendo DS and PSP though video games systems are not in the same category as the PS3, X-Box or the Wii. There's a significant difference in how they are used. And the Wii, being much, much weaker than the X-Box and PS3, and having a different way of controlling the games, is still in the same category as the PS3 and the 360.

 

[logandzwon]

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Market analysis blabla. Do they count all the tablets as PCs or just the ipad? Like, does the galaxy tab count too? Or dell streak? They sure should. And the argument "you can buy an iPad instead of a netbook" doesn't really make sense. I would buy an ipod touch instead of an ipad, and an ipad over a netbook, ergo, the ipod touch is a pc!

"Canalys urges vendors to accept new market realities, by recognizing pads as an integral new component of the overall PC landscape. Unlike other analyst companies, Canalys incorporates pad shipments, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Apple’s iPad, in its total PC market report."

 

[*LTD*]

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"Serious" computing?

WTF is that??

It's all just "computing", folks. And if *I* happen to be doing it, it's serious, whatever it may be. Same goes for you.

 

[Vulpinemac]

exactly. they say iPad has 80% (or more) of the tablet market , and they don't even count windows tablets as tablets. and now they're counting iPad as a pc? WTF?

What Windows tablets? How many Windows tablets sold in Q4 of '10? How many sold in Q4 of '09? Quite honestly, the old "full OS is the only way to use a tablet" has been proven false in 10 years of real-world marketing. Yes, there are some in corporate use, but they've had absolutely no impact on consumer computer use. The iPad has.

 

[logandzwon]

The ipad is a computer the same way a Super Nintendo and my cell phone is a computer. Just like the PC is a computer, but they don't all go into the same category. There's a significant difference in the form factor and how people use them. I mean come on. I know some people will ignore all that because they like the idea of Apple being in 3rd place and they'll take anyway they can, but the iPad is not even a Mac.

Edit: If the lady in the article has to make special conditions like saying that it must have at least a 7 inch screen or something (as if she invented the computer) just to keep iPhones and other cell phones out of the equation, then the iPad is not a computer.

I do see your argument, and it would interesting to see the same data reconfiguring the definition to only include computers that included a screen larger then 10 inches, and an x64 CPU. However, that would exclude most budget PCs and a great deal of business desktops so I'm not sure it would actually hurt Apple's ranking.

 

[BaldiMac]

Well which one is it? You just contradicted yourself. Are you suggesting every time I want to update it with software, music, pictures and videos I go to a friend's house?

No contradiction. Owning a computer and having access to a computer are not the same thing. You do not need to have direct access to another computer after activation unless you want to update the OS.

Umm no. We just bought a Windows computer for the office. I set it up, and did not have to plug it to another computer. (Same for all the Macs I've purchased.)

Way to miss the point. I was comparing Windows activation to iPad activation. Both involve connecting to another computer (locally or over the internet). It's not really a significant issue as to what market the iPad competes in.

And what do they write them on, they're iPods?

ALL applications are written on computers.

Sure, but I was saying that most people don't write applications, so it's not really a significant issue as to what market the iPad competes in.

Market analysis blabla. Do they count all the tablets as PCs or just the ipad? Like, does the galaxy tab count too? Or dell streak? They sure should.

Yes, they count other tablets. They just aren't sold in significant quantities to affect the analysis.

And the argument "you can buy an iPad instead of a netbook" doesn't really make sense. I would buy an ipod touch instead of an ipad, and an ipad over a netbook, ergo, the ipod touch is a pc!

It does make sense in the context of a market analysis. Sure some individuals may choose between an iPod touch and PC, but analysis of the market has not shown a significant relationship between iPod touch sales and PC sales. The iPad, on the other hand, has had a demonstrated impact on netbook sales.