Mac Sales Remain Flat in July, 5% Year Over Year Drop Expected for September Quarter

[rei101]

Well, a few years ago I wrote about this.

People uses computers mostly for internet stuff where regular desktop computers are way over capable to manage that sort of data. You can take a Mac from 7 years ago and it can surf the web today as normal.

That means no need to get new computers for what 80% of the people do.

The rest of the people/ market may be working in the industry, video editing, graphic design... those are the ones getting a new computer each 3 to 4 years.

Basically only 3D animators and video editors still running slow in performance because the industry is sucking a lot with new resolutions, effects and softwares.Those are the only ones who needs a new computer.

 

[twoodcc]

No they wont help. Their focus is on a dumb designer watch that counts how many times you pass wind while you jog for your life. A TV system that interacts with your dog and a toilet seat with a higher megapixel camera than your eyefone five S. This is the direction this company is going and that is that.

that may be the case, but they will continue to update their macs. i just hope they start doing it at a faster rate to keep up with technology

 

[mlody]

Well, a few years ago I wrote about this.

People uses computers mostly for internet stuff where regular desktop computers are way over capable to manage that sort of data. You can take a Mac from 7 years ago and it can surf the web today as normal.

That means no need to get new computers for what 80% of the people do.

The rest of the people/ market may be working in the industry, video editing, graphic design... those are the ones getting a new computer each 3 to 4 years.

Basically only 3D animators and video editors still running slow in performance because the industry is sucking a lot with new resolutions, effects and softwares.Those are the only ones who needs a new computer.

I %100 agree! I wanted to add virtualization to the mix as another CPU demanding technology - never enough. Newer technology makes it easier to update and expand memory - 32GB seems to be like a norm on an average desktop that is used for virtualization - cant do that on few years old computers due to the architecture limitations etc.

 

[DisMyMac]

Apple lost me as a customer when they discontinued the 17" MBP.

What if they made a 16" MBP? I think the whole lineup could eek out another inch and still shrink in size: 12, 14, and 16" models. No 'Airs' or 'Pros ' - just Macbooks.

 

[dylin]

Not a surprise - with mobile devices cannibalizing the entire desktop market (mac, PC, everything) a flat or slightly negative growth is a good thing compared to what some of these companies are going through. I feel kinda bad for the dells of the world.

This was what i came in to post. But really, this is the trend this are following so there isnt a high demand to focus on the actual Mac side of things.

 

[paulsdenton]

No new product will do that to you.

 

[DaveN]

There's not really much in their current line up to tempt me to upgrade. I want a machine that has discrete graphics so I can game, an optical drive to install software, an Ethernet port to connect to a wired network and upgradeable hard disk and ram. Oh and a non-glossy display so I don't have to stare at my own reflection while working in a well lit area.

Call me old fashioned if you like...

Ok. I'm calling you old fashioned!

Seriously, I agree with you on some items and disagree with others. I don't see a need for an optical drive. I dont think I've used the optical drive in my iMac in over a year. Ethernet? The only thing hardwired to my router is an appletv only because it is close to my router so that isnt a deal killer for me. Yes on the upgradable hard drive, RAM and non-glossy screen. Graphics? I don't game but I'd like it openCL capable for image work.

For a desktop? How about a 12 core mini with upgradable RAM and hard drive? Couple it with a huge 4k monitor!

 

[11thIndian]

Of course, the important datapoint that always needs to be brought into these articles about declining sales is how does it stack up to the rest of the PC market.

Apple's sales have been growing at a faster rate than the rest of the PC industry for years. Now PC sales are in decline. Apple very likely can't buck that trend entirely, but as long as it slips slower than the rest of the industry, they're relative marketshare will continue to grow.

I think last quarter Mac Sales slipped by 5%, while the PC market as a whole was said to drop by 11-13%.

And Apple is the one making the product that is causing this disruption. So I'm not sure how this is a bad thing.

 

[Jetson]

Since Apple has taken thinness to the extreme, they have removed CD/DVD drives from the iMac and the MacBooks.

Okay, I can suffer with having to purchase an additional drive for the new "all-in-one" iMac. However removing the CD/DVD drive from the laptop seems ridiculous!

CDs and DVDs are still legitimate media that are in widespread use. Having to also carry a seperate drive for the laptop is NOT giving the consumer what we want or need!

I don't want to have to go online to download data or commercial content sometimes. We are being forced to get on the grid for everything these days.

Sometimes it seems that the consumers' wants or needs fall by the wayside if that happens to interfere with Apple's lust for thinness.

Just my opinion.

 

[cgk.emu]

Wait, you mean NOT updating computer equipment is BAD for sales? WOW!! I hope someone informs the folks at Apple. It seems that they are too busy focusing on the consumer portable division to even notice the Macs are not getting updated.

It's amazing, isn't it?

----------

Since Apple has taken thinness to the extreme, they have removed CD/DVD drives from the iMac and the MacBooks.

Okay, I can suffer with having to purchase an additional drive for the new "all-in-one" iMac. However removing the CD/DVD drive from the laptop seems ridiculous!

CDs and DVDs are still legitimate media that are in widespread use. Having to also carry a seperate drive for the laptop is NOT giving the consumer what we want or need!

I don't want to have to go online to download data or commercial content sometimes. We are being forced to get on the grid for everything these days.

Sometimes it seems that the consumers' wants or needs fall by the wayside if that happens to interfere with Apple's lust for thinness.

Just my opinion.

I happen to agree with your opinion. It seems a bit ludicrous for Apple to be so darned worried about making their desktop machines thinner. Sure, I don't use my optical drive that much anymore, but taking away functionality that just about every other consumer machine has (hey, don't quote me on it ) AND charging a premium?? Hm. Especially in todays nasty economy...though I suppose there are different schools of thought on overall quality versus cheaper initial cost, blah blah...

 

[futbalguy]

People don't need new computers as often as they once did. Who really cares if your pc finishes spell check in half a second or a quarter of a second. Add in the fact that macs last a long time (my MacBook is over seven years old now) and the update cycle isn't the old two or three years like it used to be. That said, my seven year-old Mac will be replaced with a new laptop by the end of this year... Maybe.

Exactly, people dont need new computers like they used to. Apple builds them so well that they last 4+ years for most consumers.

 

[steve333]

Give us a reason to upgrade.
The Mini needs dedicated graphics and SSD standard.
The Imac needs SSD.

Stop concentrating on making things as thin and flat as possible and give us some meat!

 

[Lancer]

Is apple doomed yet?

All kidding aside it's not good that Apple is so reliant on one product so much, guess that's why they are bringing out a cheap iPhone in a few weeks.

 

[kazmac]

Could it be...

Satan?

This is one of silliest analysts reports in a while, given the obvious fact Apple have only updated their cheapest lap top this quarter.

I look forward to some interesting Mac Rumors after the next iPhones are released.

 

[bpcookson]

My thoughts as well, but it might be even more $ than current ones especially since they will be assembled in USA. But even if new Pro will be priced reasonably TB accessories are so expensive that only pro users can justify spending that much on external TB drives and such.

Only pro users will need TB accessories, so I don't think that excludes the "my money is burning my pocket" category. (You know... the people that have to have that new thing.)

I think $1800 for a new, baseline Mac Pro would be a killer sweet-spot to help grow the market for the product, but betting on a flat $2000 is probably more likely.

 

[Technarchy]

This is what happens when you do not update your desktop and notebook line. Haswell is nearing 3 months old now on the retail market.

Tell me again how the PC industry is doing in terms of sales.

 

[bpcookson]

Give us a reason to upgrade.
The Mini needs dedicated graphics and SSD standard.
The Imac needs SSD.

Stop concentrating on making things as thin and flat as possible and give us some meat!

I wouldn't bet on baseline dedicated graphics. That's just not what they're going for with the Mini. That being said, I sure wish they would offer it as a configurable upgrade...

On the brighter side, that Anobit purchase and the recent improvement in the MBA drives is very promising concerning the state of SSD hardware in the Mac lineup.

 

[Lancer]

Give us a reason to upgrade.
The Mini needs dedicated graphics and SSD standard.
The Imac needs SSD.

Stop concentrating on making things as thin and flat as possible and give us some meat!

Both have SSD options and Fusion.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Most ppl thinking of getting a new Mac are just waiting for Mavericks. I bet that's why (well, one of the many reasons) Apple is not updating anything yet. Nowadays customers are very informed.

 

[bpcookson]

Since Apple has taken thinness to the extreme, they have removed CD/DVD drives from the iMac and the MacBooks.

Okay, I can suffer with having to purchase an additional drive for the new "all-in-one" iMac. However removing the CD/DVD drive from the laptop seems ridiculous!

CDs and DVDs are still legitimate media that are in widespread use. Having to also carry a seperate drive for the laptop is NOT giving the consumer what we want or need!

I don't want to have to go online to download data or commercial content sometimes. We are being forced to get on the grid for everything these days.

Sometimes it seems that the consumers' wants or needs fall by the wayside if that happens to interfere with Apple's lust for thinness.

Just my opinion.

I completely disagree and have to applaud Apple for ditching disc drives. The sooner we can do away with physical media the better. Please allow me to list the most obvious reasons why.

1. It's easy to lose discs.
2. Discs can get scratched or broken.
3. Some discs are useless without CD Keys that are also easily lost.
4. Discs take up unnecessary space.
5. After you install, you probably have to "get on the grid" to download umpteen patches anyway.
6. A lack of physical media can only drive further innovation as it directly increases demand for related digital services.

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Both have SSD options and Fusion.

But no video card option on the mini makes a sad panda.

 

[ctdonath]

What if they made a 16" MBP?

Or the reverse: reduce the bezel to near edge-to-edge glass, increasing display size by nearly 2" without changing outside dimensions - cramming a 17" display into a so-called 15" notebook.

 

[Illusion986]

Only pro users will need TB accessories, so I don't think that excludes the "my money is burning my pocket" category. (You know... the people that have to have that new thing.)

I think $1800 for a new, baseline Mac Pro would be a killer sweet-spot to help grow the market for the product, but betting on a flat $2000 is probably more likely.

$2000 would be quite reasonable with descent ram and HD space. The reason i mentions TB accessories is because i have so many external hard drives and it would be awesome to stick them all inside the Pro where they would be significantly faster than USB 2.0, 3.0 and FireWire but with new pro this will not be possible so the only way to make this speed possible is TB that is very expensive. That being said i do not need TB i just want it but since money is not burning my pocket its not an option . So this machine is for Pros and people with burning pockets i happen to be neither

 

[WardC]

I completely disagree and have to applaud Apple for ditching disc drives. The sooner we can do away with physical media the better. Please allow me to list the most obvious reasons why.

1. It's easy to lose discs.
2. Discs can get scratched or broken.
3. Some discs are useless without CD Keys that are also easily lost.
4. Discs take up unnecessary space.
5. After you install, you probably have to "get on the grid" to download umpteen patches anyway.
6. A lack of physical media can only drive further innovation as it directly increases demand for related digital services.

What about a studio computer? One with no internet access that you need to load audio applications onto...like boxed versions of Ableton Live, Reason, Cubase, and large sound libraries...and on top of that, you need to import audio from CD constantly on an audio studio computer. Having a disc drive is ESSENTIAL and you cannot do without it. Some people just don't seem to understand this -- many Macs are used in applications in which they are NOT connected to the internet. They are studio machines for WORK -- and you NEED that OPTICAL DRIVE! YES!

 

[ChrisA]

Apple's Mac sales continue to come in flat year over year,...

They need to think hard about how to make Mac OS X better. Maverics is an very small increment. SOme major software innovation is required. For example at least make "drives" go away, integrate NAS, DAS and Cloud and automat migration. We are still using a 1970's storage model.

Moving a mouse takes a long time on my 27" screen. Can we jump it like I can with a Wacom table

OK, those a tiny increments. The future is "Strong AI" like Adam in Heinlein's "The moon is a harsh mistress" not like Hal. What about using TWO webcams to see hand gestures in mid air. I don't want to touch the screen, but I can point from 2 feet away.

Search needs to be MUCH better. I want to be able to say, "Edit that the paper I had up last night." and it will figure out what to do (which app to load and which file to edit.)

What about a "writing assistant", not just spell check but real assistance.

Image editors need to understand the objects in the photo, people, cars, dogs and trees and work with objects and light and color not pixels.

Apple needs to offer a computer that does things other computers can't do.

 

[juanmanas]

none of these except the Air have been updated in Ages...

its all gold iPhones and divisive iOS7

even the mac mini pro is still not out yet

at least iCahn's investing in the stock now, thats a positive sign (never)

I thought imacs have Been updated too...