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Gartner: Apple's Q1 2007 Marketshare Up from 2006
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One of the things I always hated about non-mac laptops/computers is that they "tried" to make them look attractive but really wouldn't. They would just have that same cheap plastic.
But I must admit I was surprised when I went into best buy and saw a new limited edition HP laptop. THey had this cool non-cheap plastic lid that really looked sharp. The laptop looked very impressesive for a pc laptop. That and vista, made it look tempting.
But then you look at it and go... but but but... where is my DVI, and optical out ports???
WHY would hp go through so much trouble in creating a really nice product just to fall short on something as simple as outputs?????
Oh well, gotta love my G4 powerbook.
I can't believe that CS3 shipping is going to materially affect Mac sales at all. Very few customers run out to buy $1000+ software. Parts of this article sound like wishful thinking. Mac sales may be flatter this year because:
- Leopard delayed until October
- Mac systems haven't been updated for a while
- Systems have become overpriced. They were very competitive a year ago, but Apple has not dropped prices as component prices have dropped.
Apple doesn't seem to be worried about gaining market share. If they were, they would be more aggresive about dropping prices to stay competitive, update the existing models regularly, and not blundered with Leopard blaming a phone for an additional 4 month lagtime.
Slow and Steady wins the race
This growth represents REAL customer gains. Apple has better customer loyalty than any other hardware company. A gain in market share by Gateway or Dell or whomever means nothing because most of those users tend to jump ship for the next best deal with their next purchase.
I'd also say customers buy into an OS more than hardware. You get the best of both with Apple... which is why I wonder why stories still pop up here and there about installing OSX on a PC. Whywhywhywhywhywhywhy?
This growth represents REAL customer gains. Apple has better customer loyalty than any other hardware company. A gain in market share by Gateway or Dell or whomever means nothing because most of those users tend to jump ship for the next best deal with their next purchase.
I'd also say customers buy into an OS more than hardware. You get the best of both with Apple... which is why I wonder why stories still pop up here and there about installing OSX on a PC. Whywhywhywhywhywhywhy?
I think Adobe releasing UB's is a big factor in sales.. there are still several "pro" non apple apps and plugins I use that are not UB and therefore making me wait. OS9 was held onto for a long time by the audio world.. and the print world.
If their is software you use everyday that is not a UB its certainly a factor in the switch.
If their is software you use everyday that is not a UB its certainly a factor in the switch.
Apple is really reinventing itself.
This past Decade Apple had worked hard to reinvent itself and detract their oponents. Heck I use to be Anti-Mac myself.
Here were the standard complaints.
First
Antiquated OS. Classic OS was quite antiquated and hasn't improved much over time. While somethings were better then the competiors at the time largly Mac OS seemed and worked very old fassion, looking at the OS some people though the computer can only do Black and White. Many Mac People were getting off macs and going with Windows or Linux.
Until OS X 10.1 was released (10.0 was kinda a look to see what is coming kinda thing) OS X really showed people what a Modern OS can do and work well. OS X is what made me decide to switch.
OS X kept Mac users onto Mac and bought them time to reinvent them selfs.
Second
One Button Mouse. This is an old and tired argument And the answer was if you want a 2 button mouse go get one and put it in your computer it will work fine. And it did. But after the Mighty Mouse was released it showed people that yes the OS Can handle 2 button mice.
Third Price.
Before the Mac Mini the prices on Macs while competitive there was no system with a low enough price to make it seems that it is afordable. Still prices are being argued. I check the prices of as equally equipted systems as possible and the Mac seems to be cheaper by about $100. But... to be fair to the other side Apples do have a lot of extra niceities that most poeople don't need or are not willing to pay for on its own. Like the glowing Keyboard on the MBP or the Mag Safe Power Adapter.
Forth CPU Speeds.
Comparing Intel Speeds with Power PC speeds were like comparing Apples and Oranges But PPC speeds have been lagging the G5 helped little. Switching to Intel realy stop the comparison wether it is a better chip or not is acedemic. What it did stop is PC People going well my Intel Computer is faster then your PPC.
Fifth Software Compatibility.
The fact that OS X cannot run windows software unless you used a very slow Emulation program was a big factor with programs like Parallels and BootCamp and Intel Processors running Windows as well It actually makes Macs able to run more software then a normal PC. Apple hasn't yet realy put to much effort into pressing this fact for reasons I understand.
This past Decade Apple had worked hard to reinvent itself and detract their oponents. Heck I use to be Anti-Mac myself.
Here were the standard complaints.
First
Antiquated OS. Classic OS was quite antiquated and hasn't improved much over time. While somethings were better then the competiors at the time largly Mac OS seemed and worked very old fassion, looking at the OS some people though the computer can only do Black and White. Many Mac People were getting off macs and going with Windows or Linux.
Until OS X 10.1 was released (10.0 was kinda a look to see what is coming kinda thing) OS X really showed people what a Modern OS can do and work well. OS X is what made me decide to switch.
OS X kept Mac users onto Mac and bought them time to reinvent them selfs.
Second
One Button Mouse. This is an old and tired argument And the answer was if you want a 2 button mouse go get one and put it in your computer it will work fine. And it did. But after the Mighty Mouse was released it showed people that yes the OS Can handle 2 button mice.
Third Price.
Before the Mac Mini the prices on Macs while competitive there was no system with a low enough price to make it seems that it is afordable. Still prices are being argued. I check the prices of as equally equipted systems as possible and the Mac seems to be cheaper by about $100. But... to be fair to the other side Apples do have a lot of extra niceities that most poeople don't need or are not willing to pay for on its own. Like the glowing Keyboard on the MBP or the Mag Safe Power Adapter.
Forth CPU Speeds.
Comparing Intel Speeds with Power PC speeds were like comparing Apples and Oranges But PPC speeds have been lagging the G5 helped little. Switching to Intel realy stop the comparison wether it is a better chip or not is acedemic. What it did stop is PC People going well my Intel Computer is faster then your PPC.
Fifth Software Compatibility.
The fact that OS X cannot run windows software unless you used a very slow Emulation program was a big factor with programs like Parallels and BootCamp and Intel Processors running Windows as well It actually makes Macs able to run more software then a normal PC. Apple hasn't yet realy put to much effort into pressing this fact for reasons I understand.
Release a "Headless iMac"/minitower/Prosumer desktop and they'll get even more share %, quicker.
I think a lot of potential Mac buyers are in the sweet middle spot between the Mini and 20/24" iMac and therefore...buy Dell.
Release a mid-range Mac Pro and earn their money, Apple.
Nevertheless, I'm glad to see the numbers climbing.
I think a lot of potential Mac buyers are in the sweet middle spot between the Mini and 20/24" iMac and therefore...buy Dell.
Release a mid-range Mac Pro and earn their money, Apple.
Nevertheless, I'm glad to see the numbers climbing.
I like your summation.
I think that Bootcamp/Parallels has really opened up some possibilities -- especially for the fence sitters. Now they can try a Mac while still being able to run their important Windows software which gives them a security blanket.
I think that the real key is for Apple to focus a bit more on their overseas markets.
For example, start making Ultralight MBPs for the Japanese market.
I do agree apple need to make some effort in overseas, but i think apple's base is in US, most major software companies are in US, and they develop their apps mostly according to the computer market shares inside US. If apple lose ground in US, the compatibility issue will getting bigger and bigger, eventually will affect oversea market (just imagine if M$ office weren't compatible with mac osx).
Also, in current situation, Apple is not able to produce product on time(leopard), not able to guarantee the good quality control as before(multiple issues with MB), all show that apple's expansion ability is reaching its limit. And apple is entering new market as of now!(ATV and iPhone) . If apple can not solidify their market by correcting the problems in previous expansion, apple will lose market in next 5 years.
A better way out is to license OSX while focusing on the gadget like ATV/iphone/iPod, but as control freak as apple is, I doubt it will do so, but when apple trying to control from hardwares to softwares, I would predict apple's market share will stalled at 8% in next two years due to its producing ability, by then, if quality control issue still persists, the market share will go down.
I don't think the adoption of OSX is the issue here. Arguably a fair number of people who do use CS to make a living have been waiting for an Intel version of CS to be available before making their new MacPro purchase.
Great news for Apple! Glad to see their recent strategies and business decisions are evidently paying off. I hope they keep it up. To accomplish further growth though, Apple needs to update their product lines soon - it's been far too long since we've seen revisions to, well, the entire line! (And no, an extra processor option for the Mac Pro doesn't count as a revision.)
Let's see some new Mac Pros, iMacs, Mac minis, MacBooks and MacBook Pros - I realize the focus has been on the iPhone, but regardless it's been too long Apple!
Let's see some new Mac Pros, iMacs, Mac minis, MacBooks and MacBook Pros - I realize the focus has been on the iPhone, but regardless it's been too long Apple!
go apple go
a few musings here.
market share is probably a nice figure to know when running a business, as it gives some indication of relative performance.
it's also important in terms of sales.
as steve said not too long ago - that with apple coming from such a 'low' base, even a 1% gain in market share means a big increase of sales for apple. for ex if you have apple with a hypothetical 1% market share and go to 2%, well relatively speaking, you've not taken much away from those that have the other 98% of the market... but it means that apple's sales have doubled. yum.
that is important for apple (and us), as it means that with the increase of sales should come benefits of scale... lower prices... bigger profits.... more money for r&d....
and the side benefits of hopefully getting more programs, as software companies see greater benefits of supporting apple.
i wonder if there is a critical mass % of market share figure that could really give a kick to mac sales...? where apple is so ubiquitous that people (businesses) would start buying too, with less hesitation.
(what a bunch of rambling here)
but... i have to say from my personal perspective, from what i see around in europe, there are just a lot more macs out there. much more, everywhere. it used to be a rarity to see one, now its getting almost commonplace. cafes, libraries, trains, planes, on tv shows, and even used in shops...
almost commonplace maybe, but still a surprise to me... and being still a surprise means that a mac is still not so commonplace as not to notice it.
so happily, while seeing one is becoming much more common (and gives me a warm feeling), there's lots of room still to grow.
do you think there will ever come the day when I (one) doesn't notice a mac anymore? i wonder...
go apple go. grow apple grow
a few musings here.
market share is probably a nice figure to know when running a business, as it gives some indication of relative performance.
it's also important in terms of sales.
as steve said not too long ago - that with apple coming from such a 'low' base, even a 1% gain in market share means a big increase of sales for apple. for ex if you have apple with a hypothetical 1% market share and go to 2%, well relatively speaking, you've not taken much away from those that have the other 98% of the market... but it means that apple's sales have doubled. yum.
that is important for apple (and us), as it means that with the increase of sales should come benefits of scale... lower prices... bigger profits.... more money for r&d....
and the side benefits of hopefully getting more programs, as software companies see greater benefits of supporting apple.
i wonder if there is a critical mass % of market share figure that could really give a kick to mac sales...? where apple is so ubiquitous that people (businesses) would start buying too, with less hesitation.
(what a bunch of rambling here)
but... i have to say from my personal perspective, from what i see around in europe, there are just a lot more macs out there. much more, everywhere. it used to be a rarity to see one, now its getting almost commonplace. cafes, libraries, trains, planes, on tv shows, and even used in shops...
almost commonplace maybe, but still a surprise to me... and being still a surprise means that a mac is still not so commonplace as not to notice it.
so happily, while seeing one is becoming much more common (and gives me a warm feeling), there's lots of room still to grow.
do you think there will ever come the day when I (one) doesn't notice a mac anymore? i wonder...
go apple go. grow apple grow
I think a year ago, when ppl were analyzing the market future of firefox in browser market, they (netapplications, etc) mentioned the number of 10 or 15% as a critical number. Im not sure if apple will be able to get there with current model tho.
What is a major software company for you? Microsoft... Adobe... and actually that's about it.
Especially on the Mac you can find a lot of software developped all over the world.
And it is also not true that the software of US software vendors is completely developped in the US. Many little companies were bought by the big ones. A popular example is Apple Logic. Logic was and still is developed in Germany. The software company Emagic was bought by Apple in 2002.
groovebuster
vice versa - a US-centric view of the world
...or vice versa...
of course losing market share in the US or anywhere would not be a good thing.
however, i am sorry to say this, but you have one helluva US-centric view of the world. without the figures in hand, there are plenty more computers sold outside the US than in the US. my guess would be in excess of 5x the number of computers. the US is important to mac and software comapnies etc, but internationally, sales volume for the computer industry as a whole is far greater. more importantly perhaps, sales are growing faster internationally, than in the US.
i think what particularly irks me, is your 'appe's base is in the US'. what about dell's, or hp's, or even (china's) ibm/lenovo? where do you place them? yes, apple is a US company, but perhaps you just haven't heard of an interesting concept called -globalization?
perhaps you haven't noticed that when apple releases new sofware, it can be tuned to almost any international language and keyboard? so too does
m$ and all of the major software manufacturers.
yes, apple's market share internationally is smaller than in the US, but i wouldn't be surprised to find a few countries that have nearly equal or greater apple market share than in the US. and nor would i be surprised to find that apple sells more computers outside the US than in the US.
...or vice versa...
of course losing market share in the US or anywhere would not be a good thing.
however, i am sorry to say this, but you have one helluva US-centric view of the world. without the figures in hand, there are plenty more computers sold outside the US than in the US. my guess would be in excess of 5x the number of computers. the US is important to mac and software comapnies etc, but internationally, sales volume for the computer industry as a whole is far greater. more importantly perhaps, sales are growing faster internationally, than in the US.
i think what particularly irks me, is your 'appe's base is in the US'. what about dell's, or hp's, or even (china's) ibm/lenovo? where do you place them? yes, apple is a US company, but perhaps you just haven't heard of an interesting concept called -globalization?
perhaps you haven't noticed that when apple releases new sofware, it can be tuned to almost any international language and keyboard? so too does
m$ and all of the major software manufacturers.
yes, apple's market share internationally is smaller than in the US, but i wouldn't be surprised to find a few countries that have nearly equal or greater apple market share than in the US. and nor would i be surprised to find that apple sells more computers outside the US than in the US.
Apple made a conscious decision not to license out OS X for very important reasons. If OS X was available through some of the largest hardware vendors, undoubtedly people will associate their woes on their lower-rent budget systems on Mac OS X itself, much like how people use the term PSee to associate with Windows rather than the hardware the OS is being used on. The major problem I find with PC's in general is the amount of crap they stuff into their systems. Undoubtedly, computers made by other manufacturers preloaded with OS X in OEM will have the mac equivalent of crapware, which Apple, I'm sure, would not be able to control. But at the same time, there would be no more walk-in service center for your OS X laptop, since Apple would no longer have anything to do with the hardware. Part of the reason I own Macs and plan to own little else is because I have the convenience of being able to walk into the Apple store to get my problem rectified, not have to call the likes of Dell and want to blow my brains out.
Indeed. I doubt the 3.0 8-core will be a big money maker for Apple, whereas the 2.66 Quad has that potential, given that it's affordable to a lot more people. Few people can justify buying an 3.0 8-core without using it to make money. On the other hand the 2.66 Quad hits the sweet spot for the discerning non-professionals who are looking for a computer which they can impress their neighbors with. Yes, I include myself in this group
if you're buying a workstation, you ought to be making money. The 2.66ghz quad is overkill on both price and features for non-Pros. Then again it is the closest thing to a desktop that Apple makes.
Release a "Headless iMac"/minitower/Prosumer desktop and they'll get even more share %, quicker.
I think a lot of potential Mac buyers are in the sweet middle spot between the Mini and 20/24" iMac and therefore...buy Dell.
Release a mid-range Mac Pro and earn their money, Apple.
Nevertheless, I'm glad to see the numbers climbing.
I was in that sweet spot before Steve & co yanked the rug out from underneath my feet. Release a Mid-range Mac Pro and Apple will definitely get more than a Macbook out of me.
A slimline prosumer would be sweet, and since I'm also looking for a new desktop, Im definitely in the market spot for a midrange semi-pro device. All it would require is the power of the imac or slightly greater, housing for 2 HDD's and the ability to hold up to 4GB of RAM or better, and let's not forget a good GPU.
Anyone else envisioning a larger version of the G-Tech drive with lots and lots of ports on the back?
Anyone else envisioning a larger version of the G-Tech drive with lots and lots of ports on the back?
I am not indicating kids cannot use a Mac. They are just not part of their target group per say, for more than one reason.
Kids learn fast, no doubt about it.
People did back in 1984
Apple's biggest downfall is the price for the computer
People see PC's and see it comes with windows, and the bloat ware. And it's all they are used to. When they look at Apple's line of products, it is very appealing, but one of the biggest complaints is price. Instead of making PC's look bad in their commercials, they need to be showing all the things that come with the iMac (eg. frontrow, dashboard, expose, etc). This would make the ~2000$ price tag not look so harsh.
We are beginning to see the benefits of an increased Apple marketshare and increased profile.
3rd partys are beginning to support the Mac, where as before they wouldn't touch the platform with a barge pole. One recent example is Nokia - albeit, small.
3rd partys are beginning to support the Mac, where as before they wouldn't touch the platform with a barge pole. One recent example is Nokia - albeit, small.