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Mac Shipments Remain Steady in Q1 2018 Amid Continuing Worldwide PC Decline

Williesleg said:
Do those numbers include servers? Because I'll tell you, there are a lot of servers being sold this year. And Apple's share is zero. Such a shame.
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The server market is one I can understand Apple abandoning. Pricing is cut-throat, most things standardised and nobody cares particularly what they look like. Money is made from OS licensing but Apple typically doesn’t charge (much) for that.

Add to that hardly anyone would use OS X server except a few specialised or academic institutions maybe and with Apple’s help or special undisclosed deals required to sweeten the deal.

Home servers are a different thing but even they aren’t really advisable for most compared with online services these days. More trouble that they’re worth. The occasional tinkerer or dedicated privacy enthusiast isn’t enough to justify even a server Mac Mini configuration anymore.

Servers have such specific and limited use. Set and forget is the aim. I’m hoping that the modular Mac Pro will enable large CPU or GPU scaling.
 
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simonmet said:
The server market is one I can understand Apple abandoning. Pricing is cut-throat, most things standardised and nobody cares particularly what they look like. Money is made from OS licensing but Apple typically doesn’t charge (much) for that.

Add to that hardly anyone would use OS X server except a few specialised or academic institutions maybe and with Apple’s help or special undisclosed deals required to sweeten the deal.

Home servers are a different thing but even they aren’t really advisable for most compared with online services these days. More trouble that they’re worth. The occasional tinkerer or dedicated privacy enthusiast isn’t enough to justify even a server Mac Mini configuration.

Servers have such specific and limited use. Set and forget is the aim.
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LOL

More servers are sold than PC's by dollar value.

Have a friend who worked at Dell. Servers margins are 80 points.

Only reason Apple abandoned his market is they were terrible at it and selling almost nothing.

Same reason they don't out much effort into laptops and desktops anymore.

They know their wheelhouse is emoji phones and overpriced dongles.
 
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npmacuser5 said:
What do you call advertising? Pushing products high on advertising agenda. The iPad is a computer, hidden message, clearly replaces MacOS for many. So yes, one walks into an Apple store with the idea that a $700 iPad will completely replace a $1,200 Mac. One less sale, actually many, negatively impacts MacOS sales. Apple clearly heavily pushing iPads and exclusively in the education market. “What is a computer”.
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OK...It sounds like you are very susceptible to marketing messages.

Speaking for myself, I know that Apple manufactures different products for different needs and uses, and base my purchase decisions on what I need. Sometimes I use an iPad. Sometimes I use a MBP. And sometimes an iMac.

It's kind of like SUVs and trucks. There is overlap for many people. Some people need a truck for hauling stuff. Some people with modest needs can do with an SUV. Ford and others make vehicles for both. That's smart.

The iPad is a computer, and for many people it meets their computing needs. For others, a MacBook or iMac is appropriate. Apple makes products for both needs. That's also smart.


"One less sale, actually many, negatively impacts MacOS sales."

And that's OK. It's still a sale. Just like an SUV sale for Ford many times will result in one less Ford truck sale. It's still a sale for Ford.

Why worry about what Apple does? I suspect Apple have far more strategic insight and visibility into their markets than someone on the outside.
 
citysnaps said:
OK...It sounds like you are very susceptible to marketing messages.

Speaking for myself, I know that Apple manufactures different products for different needs and uses, and base my purchase decisions on what I need. Sometimes I use an iPad. Sometimes I use a MBP. And sometimes an iMac.

It's kind of like SUVs and trucks. There is overlap for many people. Some people need a truck for hauling stuff. Some people with modest needs can do with an SUV. Ford and others make vehicles for both. That's smart.

The iPad is a computer, and for many people it meets their computing needs. For others, a MacBook or iMac is appropriate. Apple makes products for both needs. That's also smart.


"One less sale, actually many, negatively impacts MacOS sales."

And that's OK. It's still a sale. Just like an SUV sale for Ford many times will result in one less Ford truck sale. It's still a sale for Ford.

Why worry about what Apple does? I suspect Apple have far more strategic insight and visibility into their markets than someone on the outside.
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Thats not whats being discussed in the message you responded to. They were saying that the marketing is targetted for the iPad (for example). That the Mac OS sales are being canibalised because Apple is pushing one of their products heavier than the others.

Yes the options are still there, but some options are not on the forefront of some consumers minds, due to the aggressive marketing of other products.
 
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-BigMac- said:
Thats not whats being discussed in the message you responded to. They were saying that the marketing is targetted for the iPad (for example). That the Mac OS sales are being canibalised because Apple is pushing one of their products heavier than the others.

Yes the options are still there, but some options are not on the forefront of some consumers minds, due to the aggressive marketing of other products.
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"The marketing?"

Which marketing is that?


"That the Mac OS sales are being canibalised because Apple is pushing one of their products heavier than the others."

And? Manufacturers of multiple products are free to choose and allocate their marketing dollars and priorities as they see fit.

When Toyota markets a RAV 4, a potential Toyota Highlander sale may be in danger. I have no problem with that. That's Toyota's business.
 
citysnaps said:
"The marketing?"

Which marketing is that?


"That the Mac OS sales are being canibalised because Apple is pushing one of their products heavier than the others."

And? Manufacturers of multiple products are free to choose and allocate their marketing dollars and priorities as they see fit.

When Toyota markets a RAV 4, a potential Toyota Highlander sale may be in danger. I have no problem with that. That's Toyota's business.
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Your reply, and now changed point of view aligns with the original post which you replied to.
Apple is free to choose which products they push to their customers, this doesnt change the fact that the iPad is the product which Apple is heavily pushing (which was the original posters point).

In essence, your argument backtracked and ended up agreeing with the point you were trying to counter :)
 
-BigMac- said:
Your reply, and now changed point of view aligns with the original post which you replied to.
Apple is free to choose which products they push to their customers, this doesnt change the fact that the iPad is the product which Apple is heavily pushing (which was the original posters point).

In essence, your argument backtracked and ended up agreeing with the point you were trying to counter :)
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No. It did not.
 
dirt_farmer said:
LOL single digit marketshare.

hqdefault.jpg
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After 3 decades. lol
 
These stats don't account for all the custom built PCs and hackintoshes.

As for laptops and hybrids, smart consumers are waiting for AMD APUs and Intel CPU + AMD IGP Kaby Lake G hybrid because Intel IGP is weak for gaming and doesn't work for things like Cemu.
 
bladerunner2000 said:
LOL!

I wonder if anyone at Apple really cares about that kind of embarrassing product.
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why is iMac Pro embarrassing?
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CmdrLaForge said:
So many people decide to buy such an expensive computer without a reliable keyboard. I can only wonder why.
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because they dont spend their days surfing the forums looking for flaws and just deal with problem when they arise?
 
And Apple still don't want to focus on their Mac lineup, tuc tuc
 
ActionableMango said:
Three problems with your numbers:
  1. You've assumed 4 billion PC users worldwide when most estimates put it between 1.5 to 2 billion.
  2. Whenever I get a new PC or Mac, I sell my old one. I have also bought a couple of used Macs. So with people buying and selling used computers, there are an unknown number of PC upgrade cycles that are not reflected in new PC sales statistics.
  3. Many people also assemble their new computers from parts. I have done this far more often than I've bought a complete PC. Third-party-assembled computers aren't reflected in new PC sales.
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Last estimated was close 1.5 Billion PC users worldwide. And that is the most optimistic. Microsoft have actually put out a much smaller number of 1.2 billion Active users recently. And it seems that number is declining.

A lot of user skipped PC and went straight to Smartphone to access the Internet. Many from China and India. If it wasn't e-sports / gaming, Apps / Web Development and cooperate upgrading IT the PC decline would have been much steeper.

There are only 3.5-3.8 Billion Smartphone users world wide. 5 Billion Mobile Phones users world wide.

Upgrade cycle are now closer to 4 years for PC. You are far more likely to upgrade your phone then your PC. Given the cycle for Mobile phone is now longer and edging close to 30 Months / 2.5 years. And we haven't had much innovation in the PC space, performance haven't changed much. Your 7 years old Sandy Bridge would still work great if you had it paired with PCI-E SSD. Memory prices is still expensive.

I think PC Gaming is only just started, it will reach new height unseen before. That is why you see everyone from HP to Dell are all rushing to with gaming laptop.

I wish Apple would be part of it too. But Steve Jobs has deleted all Gaming related DNA from Apple i doubt they will ever care enough about it.

Another point worth mentioning is market share as shipment numbers doesn't paint a very clear picture for Apple. Apple's Mac User base is growing. With every Mac they ship there is more Mac users using it or upgrading to it, while little leaves the ecosystem. Apple has over 100 Million Mac Users, which has grow from 60 million only a few years ago. Compared to Windows users which has been roughly the same numbers*. I just wish Apple put in the effort in Mac, instead of just saying Mac is an important part of them and do nothing, especially in the sub $1000 segment.

*I am not sure if those Windows number include pirated version. I dont think it does because if they do they surely dont add up. At least China has lots of pirated version of Windows in use.
 
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femike said:
Apple doesn't have a good range of MacOS machines. There is no up to date headless Mac, just 3 year old machines selling for the same release price. All-in-ones are expensive and wasteful, and many people are not interested in buying them. As for laptops. the Pro models are flawed and out of price range, the Air is old, there is no 17 in. Time Cook is not interested in MacOS machines.

Also, abandoning AA batteries in keyboards and mouses was a mistake. I understand though that there is more profit to be made in have non-replaceable batteries in them instead.
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"All-in-ones are expensive and wasteful, and many people are not interested in buying them."

LOL: if you consider a decent screen, that many people aspire to as a main or second monitor for multi-purpose use, and you go with an iMac, then you are basically getting a free Mac for the purchase of a high quality, sturdy 4K or 5K monitor.

Many people are not interested? Most people don't know about it, and what a value it really is... everyone that comes into my home and sees our iMac says, "what kind of monitor is that?". I tell them it's the computer, and they are completely incredulous: "What, that's the whole thing??"

Anyone looking for a decent 4K or 5K monitor with superior color should consider getting a free Mac with it, with the bonus of hassle free computing which that brings with it.

Wasteful? My family's main computer, in constant daily use by all of us and still going strong (business, homework, entertainment) is a mid 2011 iMac. Glass and Aluminium.

What's wasteful is the stacks of old plastic VGA, xVGA, DMI monitors by Dell and HP, etc. that I see in second hand shops for 20 bucks, or at the recycling center/dump.
 
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lcseds said:
IDC is reporting Apple's market share at 6.6% not 6.9%. It also reports Apple sales dropped 7.7% not a 1.5% increase compared to same quarter 2017. I guess it's all about how you want the data interpreted and where you want to get data from.
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Somehow IDC manages to _always_ have lower estimates than Gartner. if we add up all the IDC estimates for the last twenty years, Apple wouldn't be selling any Macs at all.
 
npmacuser5 said:
Beg to differ, 60% of Education using ChromeOS. That would be laptops.
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But that would not be laptops that work like macOS or Windows machines, which is what this article is about. You think Apple should make a stripped down version of macOS? Oh wait, we have that already...
 
Did anyone else notice the lack of enthusiastic yearly spikes in the most recent data? Is that a result of poor holiday sales or more the way the products are being launched, do you think?
 
mi7chy said:
These stats don't account for all the custom built PCs and hackintoshes.

As for laptops and hybrids, smart consumers are waiting for AMD APUs and Intel CPU + AMD IGP Kaby Lake G hybrid because Intel IGP is weak for gaming and doesn't work for things like Cemu.
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The typical consumer doesn’t follow tech trends or news. It’s funny how people who comment on tech sites think their point of views and concerns mirror most costumers.
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CmdrLaForge said:
So many people decide to buy such an expensive computer without a reliable keyboard. I can only wonder why.
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The average costumer doesn’t focus on one keyboard being much different then the next
 
Title:
"Mac Shipments Remain Steady in Q1 2018 Amid Continuing Worldwide PC Decline"

Gee, if they'd finally introduce updated Mac Pros (yes, they're coming in 2019, after what? Six years?) and a decent Mac Mini, those "sales" might increase even more!
 
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