Gartner: 1 Billion PCs In Use (and counting...)

[Bubba Satori]

when exactly do we hit the saturation point??

When Apple Computer, changes it's name. Oh, wait.

 

[Eraserhead]

GDP figure based on official exchange rate: 3.251 trillion (2007 est.) That would put the consumption figure around $1.2 trillion.

Which is about $1000/capita. Especially after the basic costs of food, housing and education there isn't going to be much left for expensive computers.

GDP figure based on purchasing power parity: $6.991 trillion (2007 est.) That would put the consumption figure around $2.6 trillion.

The purchasing power parity figures are interesting for some goods, but not others, computers aren't one of them and cost about the same anywhere. For example in Vietnam a 500ml bottle of water costs about 3000 vietnamese dong (or 18¢), in Sainsbury's the cheapest bottle of water is 39p (or 78¢) which is 4 times more expensive, but that isn't the same with technology products which at least online are often cheaper in the UK.

 

[steve_hill4]

Any predictions for when Apple will hit one billion?

Perhaps one billion iPods?

 

[jodelli]

Which is about $1000/capita. Especially after the basic costs of food, housing and education there isn't going to be much left for expensive computers.



The purchasing power parity figures are interesting for some goods, but not others, computers aren't one of them and cost about the same anywhere. For example in Vietnam a 500ml bottle of water costs about 3000 vietnamese dong (or 18¢), in Sainsbury's the cheapest bottle of water is 39p (or 78¢) which is 4 times more expensive, but that isn't the same with technology products which at least online are often cheaper in the UK.

Exactly. Apple's marketing model won't work there. Now.
They could find it more difficult to work their model mix in later if they wait too long for the Chinese consumer class to meet them halfway. Or remain content with a .04 share marketing to the elite.