Mac Market Share Over 7% In December

[Roy]

I say that based on Apples decision... if they chose Intel then there must be something wrong with PPC... otherwise they wouldn't have changed their entire processor lineup...

Steve Jobs: "Intel processors provide more performance per watt than PowerPC."

My G4 (Digital Audio) tower was debuted at MacWorld 2001. I ordered it from the Apple Store the day after it debuted. I'm running 10.4.11 and the computer still works fine on its 8th birthday. (I am glad I skipped the liquid cooled G5 towers. My understanding is there has been a good bit of trouble with some of those).

 

[rikers_mailbox]

Where are the error bars on this chart?

The trend looks flat to me. Maybe slightly trending upward, but nothing significant. I need a more dramatic slope change to be convinced.

Oh, and go Apple.

 

[gusapple]

The Genius Bar as always been a friendly place for service and very helpful and so has apple care. But any other company service center is terrible. I hate Dell and other PC maker's service centers.

I'm sorry, but every time that I go to the Apple Store, the Genius treats me like a four year old. Possibly the fact that I'm a teen could account for that, but, I would bet that I know more than half of the people working in that store about Macs and iPods (Geniuses excluded).

 

[DOUGHNUT]

how were PPC platforms lemons?

well....if Apple never switched to Intel...we'd still be asking for our PowerBook G5's. Apple switched because PPC hit a dead-end and wasn't going any further. Intel on the other hand has a much more aggressive roadmap (new processors coming out every few month) much more mobile friendly and allows for users to run Windows natively. Intel transition is the biggest reason why Mac marketshare has been growing so drastically and so consistently over the past 2 years.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

as someone else alluded to, the rumored sub-notebook will fill a niche currently provided only by platforms sporting MS software. If Apple markets the sub-compact correctly, I a further 3% increase in the coming year may not be that unrealistic.

I agree, but at the moment the compact laptop isn't anything more than rumorware until Apple releases(?) one it's nothing more than rumor.

If they do fill a few gaps in their product line then I think you will see an increase to 10% but until then I don't think you'll see 10% marketshare by the end of 2008 despite how well Apple is doing, and I do think Apple is going from strength to strength.

 

[uNext]

You are right to an extent, the point is not to convert the mass industry quickly as possible. However to penetrate the youth market and the small-mid sized businesses. Once the youth of the world mature they will implement products to the well known companies we know of today. SLowly but surely it will happen. 10-20 years I say.

Your right.
I just recently started my own small business
I only deal with nothing but macs.....The problem i have is that
while i would love to just completely get rid of Microsoft i cant.
I use ringcentral as my main 800-provider and they have a very useful application that is windows only...I use u.p.s only to ship my goods and unfortunately their world-ship software only run on microsoft windows.

So while i have 3 imacs 2 macbook pros in the office unfortunately all have to be running windows for the entire day.......

Some small business might want to make the switch, dealing with a mac is less prone to headaches then dealing with windows. But, the software compatibility is extremely limited specially key software needed to run a business.

I think when key companies start supporting mac thats when we can expect a full share gain till then it will remain capped within the current user groups.

 

[ebouwman]

Sure you could see 50% market share. Apple is quite capable of contracting out that much manufacturing. Nobody thought at one time that MS could have 95% market share.

As for the stats, a .5% point move in one month is HUGE. If it continued the whole year that would be 6% points in a year, and AAPL stock would be $500 in a year.

It won't steadily continue though, i can almost guarantee it, I think that the reason it changed a whopping .5% is because of Christmas. It will probably keep following the trend, but i think the sharp change only really happens when lots of computers are sold, like at back to school season, and xmas.

I may be wrong because i don't really know much about economics and such.

What I really would like to see are the sales numbers for mac vs. PC.

 

[Digitalclips]

Figures. I was in the airport the other day and saw a large amount of people using MBs, and almost nobody with a PC... strange, but good.

I was in quite a few airports in October and saw the same thing, Macs everywhere, both in UK and US airports. I even saw a pilot checking some on line databases with a MacBook.

On another point: Statements like 'Apple can never reach 50%' puzzle me, why the hell not? I remember when Apple had far higher % than MS and no one thought the tables could change the other way but they did. Just figure out how many PC users change their computers every few years and what if half of them decided to get the only computer than runs OS X and Windows? I do agree a low end low priced Mac would help a great deal. Perhaps we will see one in a new form factor soon?

 

[ebouwman]

Your right.
I just recently started my own small business
I only deal with nothing but macs.....The problem i have is that
while i would love to just completely get rid of Microsoft i cant.
I use ringcentral as my main 800-provider and they have a very useful application that is windows only...I use u.p.s only to ship my goods and unfortunately their world-ship software only run on microsoft windows.

So while i have 3 imacs 2 macbook pros in the office unfortunately all have to be running windows for the entire day.......

Some small business might want to make the switch, dealing with a mac is less prone to headaches then dealing with windows. But, the software compatibility is extremely limited specially key software needed to run a business.

I think when key companies start supporting mac thats when we can expect a full share gain till then it will remain capped within the current user groups.

Some changes are slowly happening though.

MS Office mac is a good step...

I know a kid who's dad is a lawyer, and they went and put all macs in the office. Now they may use windows for some aspect of the business but i don't really know for sure.

 

[PetMac]

It would be nice to see Mac share over 10%. If goes even higher, great. I can't see it ever going much above 20%, but what do I know.
What this really means to me is I no longer have to worry about Apple surviving. That was not the case not so very long ago. Thank God I will never have to use windows as my everyday OS.

 

[Gunga Din]

Well, i'm not a MAC user yet. Still waiting on news from the EXPO in Jan. That being said.... i've owned 3 Dell Computers since 1996. Ive never had an issue with the computers or customer service in all that time. Top end components at great prices and plenty of choices when building them.

The Dell i use now is 4 yrs old and can play almost any game with ease, and thats using an AGP card.

So why am i looking at Apple? Well i'm since my Dell is handling the few games i play and i'm not too heavy of a gamer, i want a computer that offers me a more friendly OS and better software for music, video etc.

Vista has been very disappointing to me. I don't want to buy another Dell because i feel Vista is not the upgrade or direction i want to go in at this time. If Vista was really nice and offered a bunch of innovative changes...i probably wouldnt be here talking with you all. But thats not the case.

A friend of mine has been trying to get me to switch for yrs and i own 2 ipods that i really enjoy. I like apple products but in the past ...... they couldnt match what i could purchase from Dell for the price.

With the addition of Intel Chips and better hardware, that gap has closed in my mind. I might have bought an IMAC this Christmas if it wasnt for the half-ass vid card they ship with it. I know i'm not getting a mac for gaming, but they definately can throw us a bone and upgrade that card.

So now, since i don't know of any proposed changes to upgrade the IMAC, I'm leaning towards the Mac Pro Notebook. Its alot of $$$ , but i feel its more justified than the IMAC.

So whats my main pt? You know Apple is making the right moves if it can swing a guy like me who has had no issues with Dell's for 12 yrs. So kudos to u Apple users. I hope i can join you sometime this yr with my first Apple computer purchase. I think your a great community and can't wait till they release the MAC that just makes me think "bingo !" .

Cheers.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

Your right.
I just recently started my own small business
I only deal with nothing but macs.....The problem i have is that
while i would love to just completely get rid of Microsoft i cant.
I use ringcentral as my main 800-provider and they have a very useful application that is windows only...I use u.p.s only to ship my goods and unfortunately their world-ship software only run on microsoft windows.

So while i have 3 imacs 2 macbook pros in the office unfortunately all have to be running windows for the entire day.......

Some small business might want to make the switch, dealing with a mac is less prone to headaches then dealing with windows. But, the software compatibility is extremely limited specially key software needed to run a business.

I think when key companies start supporting mac thats when we can expect a full share gain till then it will remain capped within the current user groups.

I am working on an in-house solution similar to RingCentral, my shipping requirement are done with CanadaPost online application. I use Parallels Desktop when I have no other choice.

Give it 10% market-share and you will see these windows only software be ported over. If not there is alway an in-house option that I do not mind implementing.

 

[itcheroni]

Though prices for hardware have come down in price, its their profit margin that makes up the most part of the cost of their products. R&D is not cheap.

How many companies are creating products that have the luster of consumers, not many. is doing a fine job thus far.

I see your point but I think you missed mine. I'm happy paying more for my computer. My point was that Apple will never have 50% market share because of the price; I'm not saying the price is a problem. See? We're not in disagreement.

 

[itcheroni]

It's not their products that I think they care about their customers in, it's their support. The Genius Bar as always been a friendly place for service and very helpful and so has apple care. But any other company service center is terrible. I hate Dell and other PC maker's service centers.

I don't understand how your post is a response to mine. It seems the longer I've been in law school, the less I am able to communicate clearly with people.

I think it seemed like I was complaining about the price when I was just trying the explain that the price is the reason Apple's market share will have a ceiling.

 

[twoodcc]

good news. now we need to get to double digits soon....

 

[lazyrighteye]

Good point - while spreading the love is a kind and generous thing to do, it's quite nice being part of the minority. If Steve and friends keep going at the same rate, the market will no longer be niche.

The day the iPod landed was the day that niche died.
Not necessarily complaining, just saying.

10% in '08 would be remarkable.
Maybe its the Kool-aid, but those numbers even seem possible.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

Well, i'm not a MAC user yet. Still waiting on news from the EXPO in Jan. That being said.... i've owned 3 Dell Computers since 1996. Ive never had an issue with the computers or customer service in all that time. Top end components at great prices and plenty of choices when building them.

The Dell i use now is 4 yrs old and can play almost any game with ease, and thats using an AGP card.

So why am i looking at Apple? Well i'm since my Dell is handling the few games i play and i'm not too heavy of a gamer, i want a computer that offers me a more friendly OS and better software for music, video etc.

Vista has been very disappointing to me. I don't want to buy another Dell because i feel Vista is not the upgrade or direction i want to go in at this time. If Vista was really nice and offered a bunch of innovative changes...i probably wouldnt be here talking with you all. But thats not the case.

A friend of mine has been trying to get me to switch for yrs and i own 2 ipods that i really enjoy. I like apple products but in the past ...... they couldnt match what i could purchase from Dell for the price.

With the addition of Intel Chips and better hardware, that gap has closed in my mind. I might have bought an IMAC this Christmas if it wasnt for the half-ass vid card they ship with it. I know i'm not getting a mac for gaming, but they definately can throw us a bone and upgrade that card.

So now, since i don't know of any proposed changes to upgrade the IMAC, I'm leaning towards the Mac Pro Notebook. Its alot of $$$ , but i feel its more justified than the IMAC.

So whats my main pt? You know Apple is making the right moves if it can swing a guy like me who has had no issues with Dell's for 12 yrs. So kudos to u Apple users. I hope i can join you sometime this yr with my first Apple computer purchase. I think your a great community and can't wait till they release the MAC that just makes me think "bingo !" .

Cheers.

Congratulations on the decision(s) that you plan on or already have made on your purchase. Your opinion reminds me of the whole osx86 project, where windows users are running OS 10.5 on Dell and various other boxes and though some have had success (though not 100%), others are still trying. Good to see.

However the author of the project is planning on buying a new MacMini because he wants to learn more about OS 10.5, though he had the option and knowledge to buy another PC and run OS 10.5, he chose to go with the MacMini. An oxymoron.

I would not recommend the iMac, if you are strapped for cash purchase a MacMini. I personally have a PowerBook G3 pismo (RIP), iMac G5 20", and SR 17" Hi-Res MBP. And plan on buying a MacMini once the ACD get an worthy update.

Could buy an HDCP display however since I invest in I like to give myself a cut.

 

[itcheroni]

Some changes are slowly happening though.

MS Office mac is a good step...

I know a kid who's dad is a lawyer, and they went and put all macs in the office. Now they may use windows for some aspect of the business but i don't really know for sure.

Lawyers can use whatever computer they want because all they need it for is web browsing and word.

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

I see your point but I think you missed mine. I'm happy paying more for my computer. My point was that Apple will never have 50% market share because of the price; I'm not saying the price is a problem. See? We're not in disagreement.

True that at present pricing schemes will not get to 50%, however you are not looking ahead. Component prices, and even the cut to profit margin (looking at the iPhone/ iTouch, etc) has decreased quite a bit comparing the days of the G3/G4/G5 PPC era.

I would say that if wants a higher market-share they will make cuts across the board to reach that goal. However at present they corporate agenda is focused on something else, we are being short-sighted to say that it might not happen. Has years to reach 50% if they want, it does not have to happen overnight.

Is milking they consumer base or are they raking in profits for something else that will be unbelievable.

If you look at history it has profited from consumers from hardware and bought other companies improving the software such as FCP, Shake, etc... does the consumer benefit in the end, yes we all do....does this give more profit to make more acquisitions for other companies to improve its bottom-line, most likely.

 

[itcheroni]

True that at present pricing schemes will not get to 50%, however you are not looking ahead. Component prices, and even the cut to profit margin (looking at the iPhone/ iTouch, etc) has decreased quite a bit comparing the days of the G3/G4/G5 PPC era.

I would say that if wants a higher market-share they will make cuts across the board to reach that goal. However at present they corporate agenda is focused on something else, we are being short-sighted to say that it might not happen. Has years to reach 50% if they want, it does not have to happen overnight.

Is milking they consumer base or are they raking in profits for something else that will be unbelievable.

If you look at history it has profited from consumers from hardware and bought other companies improving the software such as FCP, Shake, etc... does the consumer benefit in the end, yes we all do....does this give more profit to make more acquisitions for other companies to improve its bottom-line, most likely.

I have to disagree with you there. Apple will never lower their prices for the prospect of gaining market share. Really, what's so great about market share? Market share doesn't necessarily correlate to profits. Dell sells 5X more computers than Apple but they certainly don't make as much. Less market share with a high profit margin also gives a little room for mistakes. I just have a really hard time seeing the appeal of high volume and low margins.

 

[jmsait19]

This is not a true Apples-to-Apples comparison. Apple makes the system software (OS X) and you must buy Apple's hardware to run their system. Microsoft makes the system (Vista), but other companies make the hardware for Vista to run on.

Exactly.

Apple has to manufacture actual computer and software while Microsoft only presses discs... Apple would have to greatly expand their facilities to hit the 50% mark...

I'd like to see a hardware comparison to see how many dells were sold compared to Apple compared to HP and such. Not that it would have a whole lot of bearing on anything, it would just be interesting, since Apple dabbles in both hardware and software...

 

[!¡ V ¡!]

I have to disagree with you there. Apple will never lower their prices for the prospect of gaining market share. Really, what's so great about market share? Market share doesn't necessarily correlate to profits. Dell sells 5X more computers than Apple but they certainly don't make as much. Less market share with a high profit margin also gives a little room for mistakes. I just have a really hard time seeing the appeal of high volume and low margins.

No one can predict the future, and I am not implying that your opinion is outright incorrect. I could be wrong on this issue.

As neither of us are the CEO of , and its hard for any company to predict market and consumers +/- response over a year+ in advance, it is safe to say that profits is its main agenda.

It does not bother me what the market share is 1-10 years down the road, however its good for any company to grow in a positive direction.

iPod were a high-end mp3 market when first introduced and over the generations has dropped in price due to component cost and need for greater market-share which in turn affected the introduction of the iPhone (which dropped in price a month or so later), switch to better mobile based processors (intel), higher capacity iPods with the same price if not lower price structure, etc...

No one can say for certain the direction an highly secretive company such as Apple will take.


MR should start a POLL if it does not exist already.

What is more important to the MUG/MRU?

1. Market-Share
2. Profit.
3. Uncertain.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Lawyers can use whatever computer they want because all they need it for is web browsing and word.

Not true at all. There's all sorts of Windows only form software that lawyers need.

 

[FX120]

Sorry to burst everyones bubbles, but there are two main reasons for the increase in market share in the last few months:

First, the consumer purchasing season.

Second, most corporations have been holding off on their hardware purchases untill Vista SP 1 which is soon to be released.

I wouldn't be surprised if you see Apple's market share fall to 5% or lower for a month or two while corporations start making large purchases of updated hardware and consumer purchasing falls off in the spring.

 

[itcheroni]

Not true at all. There's all sorts of Windows only form software that lawyers need.

Can you give me an example because I'm drawing a blank. Other than access to Westlaw, I can't think of anything else you need. And technically speaking, you don't even really need a computer at all if you have access to a law library.