U.S. Mac Sales Grow 28.5% in Holiday Quarter, PC Market Suffers Worst Decline Ever [Updated]

[Razeus]

Not true, iOS can only hold so many personal pictures, video, movies and songs. That alone requires a PC for storage. Not everyone wants cloud storage.

No, wrong again. There are devices where you can simply transfer your content to a hard drive, if you choose not to use cloud storage. All you need is wi-fi. I think Western Digital and Seagate make such devices that gets your content to and from your iOS device. The average casual computer user doesn't need a PC anymore. Welcome to the post PC world.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

or an iMac--a machine that appeals not one iota to most Windows users who want to be able to choose different displays or upgrade various parts of the machine.

Right, which is why Dell sells most of its computers as bundles w/ a preconfigured computer and preselected monitor. Most Windows users are not geeks dying to open up their box. They are, in fact, the opposite, technophobes that bought a Win machine for the home b/c that's what the office has and what they are comfortable using. It's as simple as that.

And now more than ever Windows desktops are on a serious sales decline. Most Windows users now buy an unupgradable laptop.

Now if by "most Windows users" you mean "most Windows hobbyists," OK, but that's only a small subset of all "Windows users."

 

[Ted13]

Windows 8 functions as advertised, the app selection is a moot point

This is where your credibility evaporated. Apps are crucial. Anyone who doesn't see it, has there heads buried very deeply in the sand. Even Microsoft themselves see it, which is why they have been bribing developers to port their apps to W8.

 

[ravenstar]

I don't even need to read the front page stories anymore. They're always bashing PC's, always touting The Great Apple, and spinning the facts. It's not news...it's propaganda.

I use Mac's and iPads and iPhones, and PC's... love them both, but why do the stories here always have such bias?

I don't usually post about these kinds of comments, but this was just too funny to pass up. Why do so many people think that a site named "MacRumors" wouldn't have a Mac -- and Apple -- slant?

It's kind of like going on a Red Sox website and asking why it's so biased against the Yankees.

Good grief!

 

[Digital Skunk]

I get it - you love windows 8. But how can you say "app selection is a moot point" and not laugh? Isnt App selection the most important point?

Because it's running the full version of Windows 8.1

Obviously, but if everything you do is "instant", you won't need more speed.

That's what they said 25 years ago when we broke the 32bit barrier . . . . look at where we are now.

The point is, everyone at the cusp of every major computing revolution has always said that this will be the death of that and so forth. It's never the case, EVER, and I am young and have been through three of these computing revolutions. There will be many more.

Servers transformed, but there are still stupid wicked fast servers. Storage transformed, and yet we still have HDDs, flash, and removable media. CPUs, and GPUs have transformed, yet we still have them.

Zero clients are already mainstream. The only thing holding them back is the bandwidth, which in many cases will start to be a moot point.

We're more likely to start seeing the Chromebook trend in 3-5 years, where the computer/tablet/smartphone is but a mere window into your life on the cloud. How much storage a device has won't matter, neither will it's drive's format. Even now, I escape the NTFS /HFS+ problem by storing everything in Dropbox.

The same thing may very well be the case with processing power, even if only on the high end level. This may be a bit much to mention here, but Avid's Interplay Sphere allows users to connect to a shared storage hub across the web and stream video up or down and edit it on the fly. The server analysis the bandwidth, the video codec and signal, and machine on the other end and converts the video and the stream on the fly to keep up.

So essentially, the client laptop or tower on the other end isn't doing any of the processing for the video, the massive server on the other end is, and is just sending the signal to the client.

That is available now . . . . not vaporware.

This is where your credibility evaporated. Apps are crucial. Anyone who doesn't see it, has there heads buried very deeply in the sand. Even Microsoft themselves see it, which is why they have been bribing developers to port their apps to W8.

Sadly, and I mean no insult in saying this, you missed the fact that these 8" Windows 8 tablets aren't running Windows RT. They are running the full version of Windows 8.1

If anything I have a lot more options in terms of apps. Chrome, IE, Evernote, Photoshop, Facebook, Twitter, various Google services, Kindle, SkyDrive, Dropbox, Skype, and Netflix just to name a few all have BOTH touch versions of their apps and desktop versions of their apps.

Some of them give you the choice of downloading one or the other or both.

 

[notjustjay]

It's not user friendly and it's not intuitive. In order to shut down a PC, having to right click the start button and choosing 'Shut Down' is farcical.

You know, the Mac folks have made fun of Windows with this quip for years, and I never really understood why it's funny. "Start" is the go-to button for everything you want to do. Sure, there's a little bit of irony in the fact that sometimes the "thing you want to do" is to stop the PC. But that's like saying "Ha! Isn't it funny that you hit the Home button on your iPhone in order to launch Maps so you can navigate to work! Get it? You hit 'Home' to go to work! Ha-ha!"

.... sure.

Windows 8 desktop mode is fantastic, the best experience yet, but the rest is a sorry mess not suitable for a traditional desktop or notebook PC.

This was exactly my experience with the Lenovo Yoga 11S (my previous post in this thread). Beautiful, slick hardware. Great device. Software experience was beyond terrible (in Metro mode). I should have followed your advice and set it to desktop-mode-only, but that would still only have improved some of my experiences and would probably render the Yoga's flippy-tablet-mode moot.

 

[scottsjack]

This is where your credibility evaporated. Apps are crucial. Anyone who doesn't see it, has there heads buried very deeply in the sand. Even Microsoft themselves see it, which is why they have been bribing developers to port their apps to W8.

I think both apps and usability are critical. I've got Mavericks, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 on my Mac Pro (yes I like to fiddle). W8 and W8.1 outperform Mavericks. Once all of the wheezing and animations are turned of I can really snap through things on Windows. Then of course there is Windows video performance.

Two problems. The first is usability. Metro apps really suck. Using Metro for machine configuration sucks even more. I just reinstalled W7 the other day from an early install CD. There were hundreds of updates, updates on updates and updates on the updates on updates. I could have had Snow Leopard up and running in a fraction of the time.

The second problem is Windows lack of apps. One can buy a Mac and be doing iTunes, iPhoto and Mail within minutes. Windows desktop has zero usable apps for the typical user. The Metro apps are so bad that they should be considered some kind of beta-toy.

If Apple made a full line of desktop PCs Mac sales would dramatically increase even more.

 

[Digital Skunk]

This was exactly my experience with the Lenovo Yoga 11S (my previous post in this thread). Beautiful, slick hardware. Great device. Software experience was beyond terrible (in Metro mode). I should have followed your advice and set it to desktop-mode-only, but that would still only have improved some of my experiences and would probably render the Yoga's flippy-tablet-mode moot.

And that's where Microsoft needs to really put their effort in 8.2. Being ripped out of Metro and dumped into the desktop mode is jarring.

That, and as mentioned earlier, getting the hardware makers and MS on the same page in terms of updates. Windows Update shouldn't render something as important as my WiFi/BT combo card useless.

The second problem is Windows lack of apps. One can buy a Mac and be doing iTunes, iPhoto and Mail within minutes. Windows desktop has zero usable apps for the typical user. The Metro apps are so bad that they should be considered some kind of beta-toy.

The standard metro apps are right on par with the MacOSX versions.

Other than that it's just Windows. You can install iTunes, and whatever else you want just fine. You can even log into iWork.com if you need to.

Also, I don't know about the desktop version but the tablets all come with a full license of MS Office.

There really is no lack of apps for the full version of Windows.

 

[notjustjay]

The second problem is Windows lack of apps. One can buy a Mac and be doing iTunes, iPhoto and Mail within minutes. Windows desktop has zero usable apps for the typical user. The Metro apps are so bad that they should be considered some kind of beta-toy.

What apps should be included with Windows? (I'm not disagreeing with your point, I'm just wondering what you would consider an ideal "starter kit" for a Windows PC.)

Many of the smaller Windows 8 tablets, both RT and "real" Windows, are shipping with Office. That's a good start.

 

[Boston007]

Ballmer

Steve Ballmer has led Microsoft on the decline. Instead of trying to compete with apple he was too busy trying to retain his bonus and the bottom line.
"Who would pay $500 for a cell phone?" Right Steve?

I can't even list all the dumb mistakes Microsoft has made over the years.
They were late to the internet - IE was junk for YEARS
They were late to the cell phone market - Their phones suck because there are NO apps on it. My friend has a windows phone. It's cool, but there are no apps. I show him all my apps and he's like we don't have it. There are other issues he's told me about, such as their sync and backup.
They were late to the tablets - The Surface RT was a joke. So underpowered as to be useless. Is it a tablet? Is it a laptop? Their marketing campaign on it was truly pathetic. Only now are they starting to do it right.

Windows - while 7 was a good improvement, 8 and Metro was a disaster. Nobody liked it and if you did you were in the minority.

It all comes back to Steve Ballmer. He sucks and good riddance. MAYBE with some new blood they can compete again but I doubt it.

There is absolutely no need to buy a PC anymore. If you game you need a PC but most PC gamers build their own PCs, I did 2 years ago. The rest are going on to iPads and Macbooks.

 

[Digital Skunk]

What apps should be included with Windows? (I'm not disagreeing with your point, I'm just wondering what you would consider an ideal "starter kit" for a Windows PC.)

Many of the smaller Windows 8 tablets, both RT and "real" Windows, are shipping with Office. That's a good start.

Personally, that's all I want. I've never opened Garage Band or iMovie or iPhoto on my Macs. I wouldn't call them bloatware, but I don't need them.

Pages and Keynote and Numbers I do use. Give me Office and nothing else. After that, the Mail apps is right in line with what I get with Apple mail. I don't use all the gimmicky features in mail apps, just read and send and attach.

The Calendar app could use some work though, as Google and MS aren't playing nice with each other in terms of getting Google Calendar syncing with MS's Calendar app.

 

[the8thark]

The big question here is this:

What in the hell are Dell and Lenovo doing that HP, Toshiba and the others are not doing? How are Dell and Lenovo still in positive YoY growth? That secret I think everyone needs to know so they know how to overcome it and sell more of their own products. Apple too, they need to get Dell and Lenovo into the negative territory.

 

[sseaton1971]

We're more likely to start seeing the Chromebook trend in 3-5 years, where the computer/tablet/smartphone is but a mere window into your life on the cloud. How much storage a device has won't matter...

I will always keep my files local. I don't want sensitive data being stored in the cloud, and I don't want to rely on a relatively slow Internet connection. Internet speeds are not going to reach Thunderbolt 2 (or faster) speeds anytime soon. Perhaps you don't have files with sensitive data or use extremely large files, but many of us do. Security and speed are a big deal.

 

[velocityg4]

I think a large part of the decline in PC sales and increase in laptop sales. Is practically any Dual core CPU with 2GB RAM or better is more than powerful enough for the vast majority of PC users. Except for low power Atom and Fusion CPU's. Meaning most any computer sold since 2006 can still cover most peoples needs.

Most of the new computer sales are from people who just feel they need a faster computer or their old one died. However, many other people simply have no need to replace their functioning computer. Instead they can buy a secondary computing device like a tablet.

Then there are household computing needs. Many families are fine with one desktop or laptop for when a real computer is needed. While tablets can be used for screwing around.

 

[Boston007]

I will always keep my files local. I don't want sensitive data being stored in the cloud, and I don't want to rely on a relatively slow Internet connection. Internet speeds are not going to reach Thunderbolt 2 (or faster) speeds anytime soon. Perhaps you don't have files with sensitive data or use extremely large files, but many of us do. Security and speed are a big deal.

You are in the minority. Most people today are embracing the cloud.

Also, most people keep sensitive files locally.

 

[sseaton1971]

There really is no lack of apps for the full version of Windows.

There is no lack of paid apps, that's true. I think the OP was refering to what you get when you buy a Mac. You get Pages, Keynote, Numbers, iMovie, Garageband, and iPhoto, in addition to the usual things like Safari, Calculator, iChat/Messages, and ImageCapture, etc. The Mac has almost everything a typical user needs without buying additional software. Of course, I am not saying that Windows doesn't have good apps. Of course there are a lot of good apps, and some can be downloaded for free... but Macs have a lot of great apps for free, created by Apple, right out of the box.

 

[tbrinkma]

Well I guess thats good. 13% isnt much in reality.

Really? You think Apple selling better than 1-in-8 computers "isnt [sic] much in reality"? Especially for a company that's been 'doomed' for the last 20 years.

 

[sseaton1971]

You are in the minority. Most people today are embracing the cloud.

Also, most people keep sensitive files locally.

I don't think I am in the minority in terms of actual usage. Most people with laptops and desktops do their processing and file storage locally, regardless on the sensitivity of their files. Sure, some use the cloud for syncing and backups (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive), but most things are still done locally. Of course, Chromebooks and tablets/phones are a different story.

"Embracing the cloud"... What does that even mean? I have been storing things in the cloud for years on file servers that I have set up. I have create many Web apps for myself and clients. Many people think "the cloud" is some new thing or that it is limited to services from the likes of Google and Apple, etc. Good grief!

So, do I use the cloud for services that I have set up and those of others? Of course. But do I want to rely on it for processing and storing my data? No way! Even though things are evolving, I still view the cloud as more of a tool rather than a platform.

 

[Digital Skunk]

......

Trust me . . . . my files are WAY larger than yours . . . and my clouds WAY more secure.

I use Dropbox for my minor stuff, EAS test logs etc.

The TBs upon TBs that I have to move daily are all stored on the station's network (which have been called clouds since before there was one) and the edit suites access them through either GigE or Fibre Channel.

I wouldn't use TBolt to move Word documents . . . that's just silly.

.......

Again, most of that is bloatware if you don't use it. I have to make sure the Mac systems don't even open them up by default. Not knocking them, but if you don't use them it's a rather moot point.

The typical apps that a user will use are all there. Office is for free, there is a web browser, calculator, Skype, Mail apps, etc. etc. etc. for free right out of the box created by Windows.

 

[gnasher729]

Really? You think Apple selling better than 1-in-8 computers "isnt [sic] much in reality"? Especially for a company that's been 'doomed' for the last 20 years.

It isn't much, compared to the 25% of revenue in the computer market that Apple has, and the 45% of profits that they have. As you say, with only 45% of the profits, Apple is clearly doomed.

----------

Glad to see Macs of all kinds growing in ownership. Now if Apple gets their QC down awesome!

You are probably getting the wrong impression, because you don't hear much of any Dell, HP, Samsung, Toshiba, Acer, ASUS computer problems on this website. And a lot of the complaints here about Apple products (there was one who was disappointed that when he smashed his iPad screen, and the store employees didn't offer him enough sympathy and a free repair for his stupidity, but only a free case and AppleCare should he decide to buy a new iPad), you'd be laughed out of the shop at any other manufacturer.

 

[sseaton1971]

Trust me . . . . my files are WAY larger than yours . . . and my clouds WAY more secure.

I use Dropbox for my minor stuff, EAS test logs etc.

The TBs upon TBs that I have to move daily are all stored on the station's network (which have been called clouds since before there was one) and the edit suites access them through either GigE or Fibre Channel.

I wouldn't use TBolt to move Word documents . . . that's just silly.

If your files are way larger than mine, then you DO NOT rely on the same "cloud" that I was discussing here. If your "cloud" is more secure, then you aren't using the same "cloud" that the masses are using. As I posted previously in a reply to another user, I have been setting up "cloud" services for years. LAN Ethernet and fiber channel connections are not what I was refering to. Most people do not set up their own "cloud" and use those technologies. Most people are refering to the "cloud" in terms of Internet services provided by companies like Apple and Google.

And do you really think I connect a device via Thunderbolt just to move a Word document? And why do you think those are the types of files I typically work on? I do a lot with video and audio production. I would never use the "cloud" for this type of work. Do I use a gigabit Ethernet LAN? Yes. Do I have storage connected to servers using fiber channel connections? Yes. But is that what I was talking about in my OP? No.

And really... Your files are WAY larger than mine, and your cloud is WAY more secure? Is this a pissing match? Grow up.

 

[siddavis]

Isn't everyone missing the point?
The real surprise if you look at the chart is that Q4 market share has bucked the trend for the previous 6 years.

 

[Boston007]

I don't think I am in the minority in terms of actual usage. Most people with laptops and desktops do their processing and file storage locally, regardless on the sensitivity of their files. Sure, some use the cloud for syncing and backups (iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive), but most things are still done locally. Of course, Chromebooks and tablets/phones are a different story.

I still say you are in the less than 50% usage. I dont have actual numbers though. I just meant more people are starting to use cloud features like dropbox, Box, SkyDrive, etc.

"Embracing the cloud"... What does that even mean? I have been storing things in the cloud for years on file servers that I have set up. I have create many Web apps for myself and clients. Many people think "the cloud" is some new thing or that it is limited to services from the likes of Google and Apple, etc. Good grief!

LOL hey man, I've been in tech for over 15 years, I was trying to sound "hip" with today's generation. I agree, cloud tech has been around for years.
Although there are new ways of using the cloud and cloud computing.

So, do I use the cloud for services that I have set up and those of others? Of course. But do I want to rely on it for processing and storing my data? No way! Even though things are evolving, I still view the cloud as more of a tool rather than a platform.

But I do think it's changing and moving more towards a platform.

 

[Digital Skunk]

If your files are way larger than mine, then you DO NOT rely on the same "cloud" that I was discussing here. If your "cloud" is more secure, then you aren't using the same "cloud" that the masses are using. As I posted previously in a reply to another user, I have been setting up "cloud" services for years. LAN Ethernet and fiber channel connections are not what I was refering to. Most people do not set up their own "cloud" and use those technologies. Most people are refering to the "cloud" in terms of Internet services provided by companies like Apple and Google.

And do you really think I connect a device via Thunderbolt just to move a Word document? And why do you think those are the types of files I typically work on. I do a lot with video and audio production. I would never use the "cloud" for this type of work. Do I use a gigabit Ethernet LAN? Yes. Do I have storage connected to servers using fiber channel connections? Yes. But is that what I was talking about in my OP? No.

And really... Your files are WAY larger than mine, and your cloud is WAY more secure? Id this a pissing match? Grow up.

But those are clouds . . . have been for years since the mid 90s if I recall correctly.

Most of the video production houses that I know move their files across a shared storage network that can be accessed from any other station. An ISIS or a Facilis are SANs and both provide server side and client side security, and as I mentioned Avid's Interplay sphere gives remote users access to video files from anywhere with a stable enough connection.

These are clouds.

Lastly, yes, many people set up their own cloud. The Time Capsule made folks want to do such a thing in droves.

Now, I will apologize, I have a habit of saying things and blindly assuming I am on the same page as others. When I mention clouds, I only mean storing files remotely on something other than the client system.

 

[sseaton1971]

I still say you are in the less than 50% usage. I dont have actual numbers though. I just meant more people are starting to use cloud features like dropbox, Box, SkyDrive, etc.

LOL hey man, I've been in tech for over 15 years, I was trying to sound "hip" with today's generation. I agree, cloud tech has been around for years.
Although there are new ways of using the cloud and cloud computing.

But I do think it's changing and moving more towards a platform.

Oh, I agree that people are using cloud services... and so am I. I am just saying that most people still have files on their desktops/laptops, even though those files might be synced to some of the services you mentioned. And most processing is still done locally. Sure, there are exceptions, but the vast majority of desktop/laptop users rely heavily on their system's reources.

There definitely is a movement towards more "cloud" computing, I will grant you that.