Apple Ranks Third in Global PC Sales With iPad Included

[BaldiMac]

Programs are written to be run. Wyy else would you write them?

And an iPad can run programs, so you are simply talking in circles.

Tell you the truth you can activated windows with out ever connecting it to the internet. A little more trouble but still can easily be done. It is just a matter of making a simple phone call and then saying a string of numbers/letters and then you type in another string of number/letters.

String of numbers/letter you say into the phone is the hash key generated for windows from your computer based on hardware and what not. Return string based on that information. Windows is now activated. Takes a little longer but complete done threw an automated system. I have done it more than once.

Of course. Is that better? You are making a distinction that doesn't really matter. I was just pointing out that activation isn't really a significant part of the whole "is it a computer" experience.

And, more to the topic at hand, it has nothing to do with whether or not the iPad competes in the PC market.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

And an iPad can run programs, so you are simply talking in circles.

but at the end of the day iPad is not a PC.

Hell even Steve Jobs has said it. He said the iPad fell in the area between netbook and smartphones. Lines are burred over time but iPad is much closer to the iPhone than a netbook.

Netbooks are at the limit of what I would call a PC.

 

[0815]

stupid number games ... everybody tweaks numbers and fuzzy definitions to make nice graphics.

In my book, a iPad is NOT a PC - at least not in the traditional meaning. iPhone, iPad, appleTV are also not computers. If you say the iPod Touch is a computer, is the iPod nano (with touch screen) one?

There are tons of computer based gadgets, but they don't count as PC ...

 

[firewood]

I'm pretty sure you don't want to compile on an ARM processor...that's for sure.

I have a linux server running on an ARM CPU device (pogoplug). It runs gcc and a whole bunch of other compilers and software tools way faster than some old Sun and HP servers I used to use and which cost almost 100X more.

 

[Dr McKay]

It can do that now after activation! Once it is activated, it magically transforms into a computer.

Or by "function," do you mean that it has to have over the air OS updates? Is that the real key feature that defines a computer to you?

By what I mean is, I shouldn't have to have to connect it to a computer to update, or to a computer to activate.

It shouldn't have to rely on another device to do these basic things. Remember Steve himself said the iPad is a device to come between the iPhone and the laptop.

When it can be completely free of being tied to iTunes for almost everything, I would be more willing to call it a computer.

 

[fabianjj]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

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.

Why even require people to activate these things? Before I got my first iPhone and iPod, I had never had to activate any phone, computer, mp3-player or any product in that category.

 

[firewood]

A product is what a product does for most of that product's customers. Analyst are interested in what people spend money on to do those things.

If most people use product category X to do spreadsheets, word processing, network communications (web browsing, email), games, etc., and now spending a whole bunch of their money on product Y to do most of the same things, then that's what a business analyst will care about. Doesn't matter if product Y has no punched card reader, spinning tape drives, blinking lights, parallel port, or floppy disks (or any magnetic disks!) included (which all used to be required for some large number of computer customers).

 

[BaldiMac]

but at the end of the day iPad is not a PC.

Hell even Steve Jobs has said it. He said the iPad fell in the area between netbook and smartphones. Lines are burred over time but iPad is much closer to the iPhone than a netbook.

Netbooks are at the limit of what I would call a PC.

I'm not getting back into the silly argument over what you consider a PC. This discussion is about whether an iPad should be included in an analysis of the PC market. Since it has been demonstrated to have a significant impact on the sale of netbooks it should be included in the market analysis. It's not about what you consider a PC.

 

[lilo777]

If iPad is a personal computer then so is PSP3 and XBox.

 

[firewood]

Why even require people to activate these things? Before I got my first iPhone and iPod, I had never had to activate any phone, computer, mp3-player or any product in that category.

When I got my first Sun workstation, it came with a tape to install the OS.

 

[ravenvii]

I'm inclined to agree that the iPad does not exactly belong to the "PC" category, the line is increasingly blurred as the iPad takes on increasing PC-centric tasks.

Apple says it right that the iPad is definitely not an iPhone/iPod, but it's not a PC (Mac), either.

With the impeding explosion of the tablet market, I don't think this discussion will matter anymore. The market will be clearly categorized into PCs, phones and "true" tablets.*

*By "true" tablets, I mean excluding the old-fashioned "hybrid" tablets running Windows or other desktop OSes with touch tacked on.

 

[hans1972]

A rose is a rose is a rose

When reading threads like this, I am glad that my mother tongue is Norwegian since that language don´t have the word ´computer´. One thing less to argue about.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I'm not getting back into the silly argument over what you consider a PC. This discussion is about whether an iPad should be included in an analysis of the PC market. Since it has been demonstrated to have a significant impact on the sale of netbooks it should be included in the market analysis. It's not about what you consider a PC.

having impacts on sells of netbooks does not mean that should be counted in PC sells. There are tons of other markets that are effects by different once but items in them are still considered different.
Should we count TV as computer monitor sells because yes it steals from computer monitors because people will be a TV and use it as a computer monitor big time at 1080p ones?
No we should not. Still very different markets. But they do effect each other directly.

Smart phone easily could be stealing from netbooks sells, iPod Touch could easily be shown to be stealing sells.
Should they be counted?

No they should not.

I would even say other tablets running android should not get counted.
Lines are blurred but there comes a point were it is clear they crossed it. This one people screaming iPad counted as PC just seems to be covered with Apple Fanboys screaming how great it is.

Is the iPad a computer yes it is, so is the iPhone and iPod touches are computers. But is it a PC hell no. You do not want it to happen because it complete wrecks you case. 240% increase in sells at the size of Apple is pretty much BS. Only people who get caught up in this are either Apple fanboys or people who do not understand the market. You also have failed to address the issue that Steve Job the Apple fanboy god has even said that the iPAD IS NOT A PC

 

[DeathChill]

having impacts on sells of netbooks does not mean that should be counted in PC sells. There are tons of other markets that are effects by different once but items in them are still considered different.
Should we count TV as computer monitor sells because yes it steals from computer monitors because people will be a TV and use it as a computer monitor big time at 1080p ones?
No we should not. Still very different markets. But they do effect each other directly.

Smart phone easily could be stealing from netbooks sells, iPod Touch could easily be shown to be stealing sells.
Should they be counted?

I don't think you understand. Both of these ideas you presented are not realistic in the sense that it doesn't happen in any significant number.

The iPad is taking millions of sales that would go from a traditional PC (or netbook) so it is obvious that they should be included in these figures.

 

[firewood]

Smart phone easily could be stealing from netbooks sells, iPod Touch could easily be shown to be stealing sells.
Should they be counted?

I would not be surprised if most people in the 3rd world jump straight to smartphones and other similar devices for most of their personal computing needs and computing purchases. Much easier to keep running where there's no power grid around, maybe just a bicycle generator or small solar panel at a neighbor's hut. That's a billion potential new computer customers.

 

[fabianjj]

When I got my first Sun workstation, it came with a tape to install the OS.

But the iPad does not come with a PC/Mac computer to activate, and installing an OS is a very different thing from having to connect a newly purchased product to a separate computer when there is no legitimate reason for it not to work out of the box.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I don't think you understand. Both of these ideas you presented are not realistic in the sense that it doesn't happen in any significant number.

The iPad is taking millions of sales that would go from a traditional PC (or netbook) so it is obvious that they should be included in these figures.

the TV used as a monitor has been going on for a long time. Just now it has become a truly good option. It just never got big in terms of the media because no one cared. People care now because OMG it is Apple.

I just pointed out one market. There are others.

I know iPods touchs, iPhone and other smart phones have taken away sells from netbooks.

Netbooks can steal directly from laptops. iPad can not steal directly from laptops. They are stealing the boarder line people who needed something in between smartphone and a net-book. An area that the iPad was designed for.
If you keep explaining it based on your argument then smart phones, iPod touches need to be counted as PC because they are stealing millions in sells from iPad which you count as a PC.

iPad not counted as a PC. Remember Apple fanboys own God has even said so.

 

[BaldiMac]

having impacts on sells of netbooks does not mean that should be counted in PC sells. There are tons of other markets that are effects by different once but items in them are still considered different.
Should we count TV as computer monitor sells because yes it steals from computer monitors because people will be a TV and use it as a computer monitor big time at 1080p ones?
No we should not. Still very different markets. But they do effect each other directly.

Smart phone easily could be stealing from netbooks sells, iPod Touch could easily be shown to be stealing sells.
Should they be counted?

No they should not.

I would even say other tablets running android should not get counted.
Lines are blurred but there comes a point were it is clear they crossed it. This one people screaming iPad counted as PC just seems to be covered with Apple Fanboys screaming how great it is.

Is the iPad a computer yes it is, so is the iPhone and iPod touches are computers. But is it a PC hell no. You do not want it to happen because it complete wrecks you case. 240% increase in sells at the size of Apple is pretty much BS. Only people who get caught up in this are either Apple fanboys or people who do not understand the market. You also have failed to address the issue that Steve Job the Apple fanboy god has even said that the iPAD IS NOT A PC

I don't care what Jobs considers a PC or not. It's irrelevant. Apple has also acknowledged the possibility that iPads could cannibalize Mac sales. That statement is actually relevant to a market analysis.

Regarding your example, it's a perfect example of why products are chosen for inclusion in a market analysis. The key is whether or not a product has a significant impact on a market. Yes, some people use TVs as monitors. If the analysis of the market determines that the number of people who go shopping for a monitor for their computer but end up buying a TV for that purpose is insignificant, then they don't include the product in the analysis.

Same reason they chose to include iPads, but not the iPod touch in an analysis of the PC market. Yes, some people choose to buy an iPod touch instead of a computer, but not enough to have a significant impact on the PC market.

 

[gorgeousninja]

I'm a self-proclaimed Apple fanboy, and I don't think iPads should be included with PC sales.

Lets be clear shall we.. you are not an Apple fanboy, unless you have some multiple personality disorder.

 

[gorgeousninja]

I definitely don't count an iPad as a computer.
Yes, I'm thinking I'll get an iPad 2 next year for school rather than a laptop, but that's because the laptop was never the proper device for the job in the first place.

Like your logic..exactly what is the proper device for the job then? Im guessing its probably a computing device, no?

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I don't care what Jobs considers a PC or not. It's irrelevant. Apple has also acknowledged the possibility that iPads could cannibalize Mac sales. That statement is actually relevant to a market analysis.

Regarding your example, it's a perfect example of why products are chosen for inclusion in a market analysis. The key is whether or not a product has a significant impact on a market. Yes, some people use TVs as monitors. If the analysis of the market determines that the number of people who go shopping for a monitor for their computer but end up buying a TV for that purpose is insignificant, then they don't include the product in the analysis.

Same reason they chose to include iPads, but not the iPod touch in an analysis of the PC market. Yes, some people choose to buy an iPod touch instead of a computer, but not enough to have a significant impact on the PC market.

but under your one argument. A lot of people choose iPhone/iPod touches over an iPad. No way in hell that iPhone/iPod touches are not cannibalize iPad sells.
So under that argument they should be included.

iPads are to far removed from PC to be counted as PC. Only reason people care about this is because it is Apple. If someone else came out with the iPad (lets say Samgsung) they never would be counted as PC.

 

[firewood]

But the iPad does not come with a PC/Mac computer to activate, and installing an OS is a very different thing from having to connect a newly purchased product to a separate computer when there is no legitimate reason for it not to work out of the box.

Activation is no big thing to most people. Early automobile didn't use to require keys. Should those first cars requiring keys not be called automobiles? Now many new cars require some other magic device in a drivers pocket to activate the car's ignition; a metal key alone won't work. Does requiring that activation make them not cars?

There are even secure laptops that won't activate without a secure RFID in the users pocket. Are those laptops not PCs?

 

[BaldiMac]

but under your one argument. A lot of people choose iPhone/iPod touches over an iPad. No way in hell that iPhone/iPod touches are not cannibalize iPad sells.
So under that argument they should be included.

"A lot of people" isn't very good analysis. But we aren't talking about the "media tablet" market or whatever the term they are using for iPad-like devices. We are talking about the PC market. Amazingly, the iPad competes in both markets. They overlap. Pretty cool.

iPads are to far removed from PC to be counted as PC.

It doesn't matter if you count them as a PC. You can call the media tablets or big iPods or whatever you want. They are still competing in the PC market. If people started using bananas to browse the internet and complete their everyday computing tasks, than bananas should by added to the analysis of the PC market

Only reason people care about this is because it is Apple. If someone else came out with the iPad (lets say Samgsung) they never would be counted as PC.

And yet, there was little to no argument when netbooks were added to the PC market. And, yes, competing "media tablets" would be counted. They are just insignificant in sales at this point.

 

[fahadqureshi]

but under your one argument. A lot of people choose iPhone/iPod touches over an iPad. No way in hell that iPhone/iPod touches are not cannibalize iPad sells.
So under that argument they should be included.

iPads are to far removed from PC to be counted as PC. Only reason people care about this is because it is Apple. If someone else came out with the iPad (lets say Samgsung) they never would be counted as PC.

how does iPod or iPhone cannibalize iPad sales? iphone/ipod touch cost half as much as an iPad. so people would walk into a store thinking to buy a portable device that fits in your pocket and walk out with an iPad?

 

[BaldiMac]

how does iPod or iPhone cannibalize iPad sales? iphone/ipod touch cost half as much as an iPad. so people would walk into a store thinking to buy a portable device that fits in your pocket and walk out with an iPad?

You have that backwards. It would be people walking in to buy an iPad and deciding that an iPod touch is good enough for their needs. I think that is reasonable. I have no idea if a significant number of people would make that decision.