MacBook Air Drives 6.5 Million Apple Laptop Shipments in Q3 2021

[skaertus]

Much of what you said is true. Apple does not care to make or sell the cheapest computer much
like BMW, honda, Toyota etc, do not care to make the cheapest cars.
That said the M1 MacBook air is one of the best values going mac or PC.

I am not sure about it. The MacBook Air has the M1 chip, which is, of course, great. If you go by the M1 chip alone, then you will come to the conclusion that it has the best value overall among all computers.

Apple MacBook Air with M1, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, $899 at BestBuy
Apple MacBook Air with M1, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, $1149.99 at BestBuy
Dell XPS 13 with Core i7-1165g7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, $1099.99 at Dell website
Dell Inspiron 7000 2-in-1 14-inch with Ryzen 7 5700U, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, at $799.99 at BestBuy
Samsung Galaxy Book Flex2 Alpha 13.3-inch QLED with Core i7-1165g7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, at $899.99 at BestBuy
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 15.6-inch AMOLED with Core i7-1165g7, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, $1299.99 at BestBuy
Lenovo Yoga 6 13 2-in-1 with Ryzen 7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, at $949.99 at BestBuy

I am inclined to say that the laptops above offer a better value than the MacBook Air. The MacBook Air has a decent value, though.

 

[The1Biz]

I'm happy it's perfectly quiet and has no fans. Battery life is ridiculous.
I'm glad I didn't wait until the new MBPs, because I don't need a $2000 laptop for everyday stuff.

 

[skaertus]

What is the perspective here exactly? That not everyone on the planet can afford to spend 1,000USD on a computer?

Should people in poorer countries around the world that need access to computers not have access to them because they have "pentium processors and dim blurry 1366x768 screens"?

Some of you are actually unreal. Businesses exist to serve anyone that is willing to be a customer. Just because you can afford better computers doesn't mean Dell's YoY growth is somehow less valid.

Yes, precisely.

I just think these Dell figures look unreal, because they are so much higher than everyone else, and it is hard to imagine that a company that has been around for so long suddenly has a 50% increase in sales. Especially when absolutely nothing of particular notice involving this company has happened in the last year.

I would go even further to say that Apple's unwillingness to provide a cheaper laptop hurts macOS. This is because Apple does not get sufficient market share to compete with Windows. As a result, due to the potential market, developers are more inclined to develop Windows software instead of software for macOS. Should Apple increase its computer market share, then macOS could have more software available.

 

[Reason077]

Tremendous price/performance ratio on the MBA. I'm trying to convince my daughter to dump her 2017 13" MBP for one, as she's already had the motherboard and screen replaced, and the keyboard is starting to act up.

Yes, I swapped my 2017 13" Pro for an M1 Air and couldn't be happier. Significantly better machine in absolutely every respect.

Check if the Pro is still eligible for the keyboard replacement program, though. It's worth doing.

Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro - Apple Support

Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro

support.apple.com

 

[ian87w]

Yes, precisely.

I just think these Dell figures look unreal, because they are so much higher than everyone else, and it is hard to imagine that a company that has been around for so long suddenly has a 50% increase in sales. Especially when absolutely nothing of particular notice involving this company has happened in the last year.

I would go even further to say that Apple's unwillingness to provide a cheaper laptop hurts macOS. This is because Apple does not get sufficient market share to compete with Windows. As a result, due to the potential market, developers are more inclined to develop Windows software instead of software for macOS. Should Apple increase its computer market share, then macOS could have more software available.

The Mac vs Windows fight has long been decided, and Windows won. No matter what Apple does, the needle won't move that much. The fight right now is on mobile, where Apple has quite a chunk of market share with iOS and iPad OS (I saw iPads were like 40% of the whole tablet market). That's why we see Apple being somewhat aggressive on that front with the iPhone SE and the basic iPad.

 

[skaertus]

The Mac vs Windows fight has long been decided, and Windows won. No matter what Apple does, the needle won't move that much. The fight right now is on mobile, where Apple has quite a chunk of market share with iOS and iPad OS (I saw iPads were like 40% of the whole tablet market). That's why we see Apple being somewhat aggressive on that front with the iPhone SE and the basic iPad.

Well, it is not really a fight (except in the minds of consumers). The Mac is a significant business for Apple (otherwise it would not be selling them anymore). Apple is gaining market share despite the high prices, which means that the scenario is always changing. If Apple released a cheaper Mac, it would definitely sell more. Say, a model similar to the low-end MacBook Air, but with a plastic chassis instead of metal, for $699 or $799. It would sell very well and would help Apple gain market share. It is Apple's choice not to do it.

 

[kingtj1971]

Not surprised at all. I sold my Intel 16" for an M1 MBA last December. Best MacBook I've ever owned, pending the arrival of my M1 Max MBP, that is.

Just gotta say the same... I don't even own one of these, but a good friend of mine was using a 2018 MBP to go around doing health insurance sales and advisement. While at a big expo, she accidentally left it on the roof of her car and drove off. It wound up sliding off and got run over. She had to have a replacement ASAP and I recommended this M1 Air as the most sensible alternative. She *loves* it. FAR better battery life and performance that seems at least as good as the previous MBP. On top of that? That MBP already had to go in for service for problems with the video ribbon cable in it, which cost her quite a bit to repair. When Apple announced a recall for it, I told her and she was able to get a refund for the repair cost -- but they never proactively told her about it or anything. After that, she wasn't so fond of the machine, especially once one of the keyboard keys started intermittently acting up a bit while typing.

Thing is? The M1 Air, like all Macbook Airs, has a little bit easier to swallow price tag too. It's probably the best value for what the "typical" laptop user does with one, day to day.

 

[ian87w]

Well, it is not really a fight (except in the minds of consumers). The Mac is a significant business for Apple (otherwise it would not be selling them anymore). Apple is gaining market share despite the high prices, which means that the scenario is always changing. If Apple released a cheaper Mac, it would definitely sell more. Say, a model similar to the low-end MacBook Air, but with a plastic chassis instead of metal, for $699 or $799. It would sell very well and would help Apple gain market share. It is Apple's choice not to do it.

Apple has decided that consumers needing a cheaper computer to just get the iPad. We won't see MacBooks under $1000 (normal retail price).

 

[coolkid93]

not surprised at all… it only makes sense and is more than enough power for most users plus affordable more

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Holy moly, Dell killing it with 50% y/y growth!!!! What did they release?

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

With the M1, Apple are stuck with putting a performant chip in the cheap laptop. Perhaps with the M2, they can cripple the MBA and drive up sales of the MBP. I hope not.

Were you asleep when they released the 14"/16" M1 Pro/Max MBP's? The performance envy is strong with these machines. Not to mention screen and audio quality, web cam, ports, and all the other specs that are a big step up from the M1 MBA.

 

[Mentok]

"Upgraded" from a 2019 16". It's better for the vast majority of tasks I do, even Xcode seems faster. Only concern I have is the 8gb ram, but if next years models are a big change like some rumours I might upgrade again lol.

The Airs are the best laptops for most people.

 

[cardfan]

The results are not very impressive.

Apple had a 10% yearly growth. If one considers that, in Q3 2020, potential customers were expecting the new Apple silicon models to be released, while in Q3 2021, they had the low-end (and presumably highest selling) Mac laptops and desktops for sale, the results are not great.

The industry as a whole had an 8% growth, so Apple was only slightly higher, which I would say is a lackluster result considering the big change the M-series processor should represent. The Mac business is not growing as it could, and I suppose it never will if the prices are kept in the same levels. Dell had a 50% growth, which is much more impressive.

This whole article isn’t very impressive. If you’re going to throw in chromebooks then you may as well add in over 12 million iPads. Suddenly apple is at 18-19m and tops here.

 

[Kebabselector]

The 11” MBA was a GREAT little Mac. I had two of them in succession. Perfect for writing. I still miss the extreme portability.

To be honest, if i could just drop in a M1 board to the 11" I would - I'll even put up with the tragic resolution for the sake of portability.

 

[TechRunner]

Yes, I swapped my 2017 13" Pro for an M1 Air and couldn't be happier. Significantly better machine in absolutely every respect.

Check if the Pro is still eligible for the keyboard replacement program, though. It's worth doing.

Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro - Apple Support

Keyboard Service Program for MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro

support.apple.com

I told her to check into the keyboard program, but she says she can live with it as she uses her iPhone more than her laptop. Hey, I tried!

 

[skaertus]

Apple has decided that consumers needing a cheaper computer to just get the iPad. We won't see MacBooks under $1000 (normal retail price).

Well, Apple decided that when it released the iPad back in 2010. The iPad was then priced at $500, which was similar to the netbooks. Laptops have gone a long way since those times. Today, there are actually decent laptops below $500 which are fully functional and can be used for productivity.

Apple may still refuse to launch laptops for less than $1000, but then it is a deliberate decision to alienate part of the customers who want a cheaper but still functional option. The iPad is nice and all, but is no laptop and does not provide the same level of functionality.

Apple's decision in the past may have been due to its inability to make a decent laptop at that price range. Today, Apple's decision is a strategic choice to make customers spend more money on the products.

 

[skaertus]

This whole article isn’t very impressive. If you’re going to throw in chromebooks then you may as well add in over 12 million iPads. Suddenly apple is at 18-19m and tops here.

Then you would have to add Android tablets to the equation as well. And you will no longer have the figures for PC sales, but for "devices".

 

[ingambe]

Not surprised at all, it's very hard to recommend anything else for non-professional users
When friends and family asked me about a 700$ laptop, I tell them to put 300$ more into a MBA and they will thank me in 5 years

 

[Michael Scrip]

Then you would have to add Android tablets to the equation as well. And you will no longer have the figures for PC sales, but for "devices".

But does Dell make Android tablets?

If not... then it wouldn't add to Dell's shipment numbers in this example.

 

[skaertus]

But does Dell make Android tablets?

If not... then it wouldn't add to Dell's shipment numbers in this example.

As far as I am concerned, Dell does not make Android tablets, at least not significant numbers. But other players would get into this list, such as Samsung, Amazon, Huawei, and Xiaomi. The list would certainly look very different.

 

[twomack]

I came from Windows when I bought the 16" 2019 MBP. That's what got me hooked, then I bought the M1 Air and I use that about 80% of the time. Best computer for the money I've ever owned, period.

 

[Michael Scrip]

As far as I am concerned, Dell does not make Android tablets, at least not significant numbers. But other players would get into this list, such as Samsung, Amazon, Huawei, and Xiaomi. The list would certainly look very different.

Very true. Here's the updated Strategy Analytics list with tablets added to laptops:

Q3 2021 Laptops + Tablets

23.8m - Apple
19.6m - Lenovo
14.3m - HP
12.2m - Dell
7.5m - Samsung
5.1m - Asus
3.7m - Amazon
1.8m - Huawei
24.3m - Others

112.2m - TOTAL

 

[skaertus]

Very true. Here's the updated Strategy Analytics list with tablets added to laptops:

Q3 2021 Laptops + Tablets

23.8m - Apple
19.6m - Lenovo
14.3m - HP
12.2m - Dell
7.5m - Samsung
5.1m - Asus
3.7m - Amazon
1.8m - Huawei
24.3m - Others

112.2m - TOTAL

Nice! Where did you get these figures?

The numbers almost double; they do not reflect the same market at all.

Apple takes the lead then but this lead is split between tablets and laptops. It seems that Apple sells much more iPads than MacBooks. Sales of iPads probably concentrated in the cheaper models, as the revenue of the iPad business (11% of total) is lower than the revenue of the Mac business (12% of total) in Q3 2021, despite iPads selling more than double the number of MacBooks.

Samsung is definitely an entry to the list at 7.5 million. But do these figures consider only the tablets or the consolidated number of laptops and tablets? Samsung also has a laptop business, which may not be too significant to make it among the top vendors, but which should not be disregarded.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Nice! Where did you get these figures?

Here ya go!

 

[skaertus]

Here ya go!

View attachment 1902335

Thanks. That is nice. The tablets market share has significantly declined last year (-10%).

Apple is the top vendor and has significantly increased its market share (+15%). I am not sure what may have driven Apple's market share in Q3 2021. Sure, the iPad Pro got an M1 processor, and the 12.9-inch model got a MiniLED screen, but these are the top-tier models, with a probable smaller fraction of the sales, and I would be surprised if they were responsible for such an increase in market share.

Samsung had a 21% drop in market share. This is also strange, as Samsung currently has one of its all-time strongest tablet line-ups, with the Tab A7 Lite at the low-end, the decent Tab A7 at a very affordable price, the 12.4-inch S7 FE offering a large screen for the mid-range, and the S7 and S7 Plus at the high-end with high refresh rate and prices lower than Apple's counterparts. I am not sure why its market share would drop so much.

Huawei's drop (-64%) is dismal. And Amazon dropping 26% also seems a lot to me.

These numbers seem very unrealistic overall. I cannot imagine that so many established companies (Apple, Dell, Samsung, Amazon) would have such variation in sales from one year to the other. Are these numbers reliable?