U.S. PC Shipments Continue to Slide in 2Q13 as Apple Lags Overall Market

[Nightarchaon]

My 2008 iMac is still running strong. I guess if I had a PC, I would have replaced it long ago.

Darn you Apple and your quality!!!

My 2008 MBP is still going strong, its the 2nd (technically 3rd because a complete board change out) one out the store (1st had faulty USB ports, changed on day 2 after purchase, the 2nd , new board due to GPU failure at 18 months)

my 2011 iMac is fine now, but its had its HDD recalled by apple, and i had to have the screen swapped out because it wasn't sealed properly and was sucking in dust between the screen layers (not the front "glass and the screen" but between the layers of the screen itself)

I would say, going off personal experience , and experience of friends and colleges that if you get an apple product and have ZERO problems with it, and its a Rev 1 device in a new cycle, thats unusual, not the norm.

now what im saying is apple should not have ANY of these problems, if they tested properly, instead of wanting to get the product in stores without leaks.. and when the discover a problem , as they did with the time capsules and faulty GPUs the MBPs, they carried on selling them, instead of recalling stock on the shelf, preferring to sell a know faulty product and have the user go in and get it repaired later.

With the MBP i was in picking mine up, and another guy had brought his in, powered it up in front of the "genius" who then told him it was the logic board, it would cost a load to replace because it was out of warranty, and he should buy a newer model.... despite the issues obviously being the Nvidia card, and the work was covered by Nvidia and apple under an extended warranty clause (two of my friends with MBPs of that era as well as myself has to push for the warranty replacement because the stores were trying to tell us they were not covered and we should buy new, not good customer service at all)

My time capsule took me nearly 2 years to get replaced by apple, after the 1st gens were made with capacitors that failed (50% badly sourced parts 50% badly designed time capsule, inadequate cooling.

 

[Laucian Nailor]

This has nothing to do with people delaying purchases until the new Haswell-equipped models drop?

It does for me (rMBP BTO) and also hoping on an uplift for ac wifi and ssd interface improvements before I order an iMac. Was hoping to push the button around the WWDC.....but I can wait ;-)

 

[keysofanxiety]

i got a lenovo y580 instead, for half the price of the retina macbook ($1279) i got the following

Congratulations. Half the price, and double the weight & thickness.

Apple have never been about just the best specs. It's two different mentalities. Your realisation that Windows computers are considerably cheaper is not news. Furthermore, Apple's lack of upgradability in their computers & proprietary components are, once again, nothing new.

What you've argued is the same argument Windows users have used for over 10 years. It's not right, it's not wrong, but it's not a new argument.

 

[vmistery]

Sounds like some people (like my OH) have bought an iPad rather than replace the Macbook. Hardly a terrible result for Apple IMO. The real losers amongst the manufacturers are those that have not got a quality, well selling tablet out to compensate.

 

[tevion5]

a waste of my talents!

I meant my original "doomed!" post actually

 

[mattferg]

Yup, Windows 8 is causing the decline in traditional PC sales... not. This just adds to the ever-growing list of proof that Windows 8 isn't the problem (especially as it's doing rather well in tablet sales) but the fact that everyone has a PC, so not everyone needs one every year.

 

[bloggerblog]

I know for a fact that JAVA was one of the key reasons why many people who ported to the Mac platform decided to jump back to Windows. Realtors are one of them, many of their mainstream tools rely heavily on JAVA, so when Apple blocked JAVA, all they know is that their computer stopped working, and couldn't log-in or do any work for a few days, calling the brand "crApple".

 

[drblank]

Apple needs to add back the option to Upgrade/Replace components . Like Ram and the HDD/SDD back to its lines , thats the reason ill be going back to a PC for my new desktop at the end of the year,

And the iPad has removed the need for me to use a laptop at all

I don't think Apple is going to give people an easy path to upgrade internal components like HDD/SSD with third party products. They are heavily into removing HDD internally and moving towards using SSD instead. If you want a new HDD, use a external HDD. Obviously, HDD are practically non-existent on laptops and soon to be gone on desktops since the new high speed SSD is faster, requires less power, probably more reliable, takes up less space, etc. External HDD, you can use whomever you want. for the most part.

RAM? The biggest problem with third party RAM is quality, compatibility and long term reliability of third part RAM. Apple typically has their RAM tested to more stringent requirements as to remove compatibility issues and their RAM is typically more reliable. Flaky RAM just costs more in support headaches as it can cause more intermittent problems thus requiring more support problems. I've personally never had memory issues with Apple-branded memory vs third party. I know they don't make their memory, but they are tested to higher standards and they make sure they adhere to speed consistency and compatibility. Apple doesn't sell third party memory on their own systems through the on-line Apple Store.

I know people are always looking for ways to save money, but what's more important, having a more reliable and trouble free operation or saving a couple of hundred dollars? What's the old saying? You get what you paid for. Saving a few hundred dollars on RAM may cause hundreds or thousands of dollars of down time if you have to jerk around trouble shooting your system when your RAM starts to flake. Flaky RAM is kind of hard to trouble shoot because it may work most of the time, but over time, it has more errors. For me, it's peace of mind and Apple can't support third party RAM since they didn't supply. Kind of like buying third party parts for a brand new car. The dealership has a difficult time doing something under warranty if the owner replaces parts with non-genuine parts from the mfg and not supplied by the dealership.

 

[senseless]

The PC market is mature and saturated. Everybody who wants or needs one, has one.

There used to be major upgrade reasons, especially the changeover to Intel Macs. I can't tell new models from old now. Unless your Mac breaks, there is no reason to replace a 4 year old computer.

 

[Rogifan]

Windows 8 = OS X
Windows RT = iOS

Any hardware that runs full x86 Windows 8 is considered a PC, therefore included, while any hardware that runs Windows RT, which is ARM only, are considered tablets, therefore not included.

One reason these figures are misleading. Companies like HP and Dell are more impacted by the rise of tablets than Apple is. Apple's PC shipments might be down but they're selling a crapload of iPads so are they really that concerned?

 

[drblank]

My 2008 MBP is still going strong, its the 2nd (technically 3rd because a complete board change out) one out the store (1st had faulty USB ports, changed on day 2 after purchase, the 2nd , new board due to GPU failure at 18 months)

my 2011 iMac is fine now, but its had its HDD recalled by apple, and i had to have the screen swapped out because it wasn't sealed properly and was sucking in dust between the screen layers (not the front "glass and the screen" but between the layers of the screen itself)

I would say, going off personal experience , and experience of friends and colleges that if you get an apple product and have ZERO problems with it, and its a Rev 1 device in a new cycle, thats unusual, not the norm.

now what im saying is apple should not have ANY of these problems, if they tested properly, instead of wanting to get the product in stores without leaks.. and when the discover a problem , as they did with the time capsules and faulty GPUs the MBPs, they carried on selling them, instead of recalling stock on the shelf, preferring to sell a know faulty product and have the user go in and get it repaired later.

With the MBP i was in picking mine up, and another guy had brought his in, powered it up in front of the "genius" who then told him it was the logic board, it would cost a load to replace because it was out of warranty, and he should buy a newer model.... despite the issues obviously being the Nvidia card, and the work was covered by Nvidia and apple under an extended warranty clause (two of my friends with MBPs of that era as well as myself has to push for the warranty replacement because the stores were trying to tell us they were not covered and we should buy new, not good customer service at all)

My time capsule took me nearly 2 years to get replaced by apple, after the 1st gens were made with capacitors that failed (50% badly sourced parts 50% badly designed time capsule, inadequate cooling.

Component failure is always a pain to deal with. Thankfully, the only real problems I've ever had was with third party RAM about a year after purchasing. That's why I only buy Apple branded memory and AppleCare support. THe added cost is worth it in the long term. As processors and other devices get faster, they run hotter and causes reliability problems. Can't get around that. Laptops are ALWAYS going to be subject to harsher environments since people carry them around, they got tossed around and people tend to run them in higher ambient temperature. Same goes with iPhones, iPads. Heat is one of the biggest enemies to components.

 

[mumph]

Ahahahahahahahahah-

Ahahahahahahahahahah----

ive yet to hear of an apple product since ooo at least 2006 onwards that hasn't had issues from launch... Screen ghosting on the RMPs for example... (rest of list is Time Capsules 1st gen failing PSUs, Yellowing Screens on i-Devices, GPU failures in MBPs, Screens sucking in dust on iMacs, antenna gate, case cracking on iphone 3 and 3gs, ongoing issues with WiFi every generation , iPhone 5 "chipping of paint", lots of HDD issues)

Never ever buy 1 1st gen apple refresh, they use 1st gen purchasers as beta testers because their quality control and product testing SUCKS due to the attempt at product launch "secrecy"

Id like to see them release a product, which , from day one, lasts 18months without a trip back to apple for a fix

Love the products after they get it right for the Rev 2 boards

I have a Rev A AppleTV, still going strong. A Rev A Timecapsule still going strong. A Rev A 27" iMac i7 still going strong. A Rev A 13" MacBookPro still works fine but is getting long in the tooth as it is constantly hammered by the family ALL day long day in day out. Battery doesnt hold much charge but its WAY past its number of cycles but the machine itself still works like a champ. I have a Rev A iPhone 4S, not a friggin scratch on it and works as well as the day I bought it. A RevA iPad3 and ORIGINAL 5GB iPOD (yes the one as big as a house brick with a physical wheel) still working. I will however keep that one safe. None of these products have yellow screens, dead pixels, bleeding nostrils or an extra finger or toe.

 

[Elijahg]

Well what's your take on people who continue to spend ridiculous money on Gucci and LV bags and such? Those companies certainly stay in business and their products are definitely about perceived value.

That's a bit different, those are purely fashion items, whereas Apple gear isn't quite so much. Generally people want Macs because of the many advantages (Gucci/LV accessories... not so much) but then they see the price; at least in the UK,I've seen this happen many times, and they say "Woah, I didn't realise they were that much more..."

People who buy several thousand pound fashion bags aren't really who I'm talking about here. I'm talking about the general public on average income or maybe people on "middle class" income.

 

[HenryDJP]

I would argue that those other brands don't represent mass market products. Even if you view Apple as a premium company/standout, they're competing in what is essentially a commoditized market. Gucci and LV are luxury brands. They aren't about products that can be purchased by a wide market. They're priced high enough that few people will buy them. It's not really the same when comparing to a company that ships millions of devices within a specific class per quarter. Just a random factoid, but LV initially made high end luggage. Gucci makes boring/contrived stuff. There are many smaller labels with more creative designers.

Doesn't matter what is considered mass market, the poster I replied to was suggesting that "people" don't have money to buy high-end computers and that's just plain untrue. Where the country is right now financially isn't nearly as bad off as it was 5 years ago and back then Apple was selling Mac Pro's, iMacs, 17" MBP at top dollar and OS X was at $129 so don't tell me that people don't have money to spend on computers. It's about what market of product is out there and tablets (namely the iPad) are taking over as the computing device that many people are buying.

The iPad is affordable, designed and packaged as a "luxury item" and not cheap junk, satisfies the needs of the masses. Along with the capabilities of Smartphones and the iPad, the need for laptops is fading a bit. The iMac is still doing well because at home people still want a powerful desktop with a large screen that infuses with their iPad... but not the old clunky Wintel PC.

You're argument isn't holding even an ounce of water. LV and Gucci are also competing in a commoditized market. Nobody needs a LV bag, purse or luggage. There are hundreds of cheaper alternatives that are perhaps built equally as well with beauty to match. Still it's about preference and people will spend their money on those luxury brands.

I just love how some people here are making this all about Apple. The entire PC market is at a decline but as soon as any news about Apple's computers declining in sales you guys like to blame Apple for the lack of ports on their machines, lack of upgradability, lack of this, lack of that, yada yada yada and yet some people here have these very products listed in their signatures. Hypocritical to say the least.

----------

That's a bit different, those are purely fashion items, whereas Apple gear isn't quite so much. Generally people want Macs because of the many advantages (Gucci/LV accessories... not so much) but then they see the price; at least in the UK,I've seen this happen many times, and they say "Woah, I didn't realise they were that much more..."

People who buy several thousand pound fashion bags aren't really who I'm talking about here. I'm talking about the general public on average income or maybe people on "middle class" income.

Check my post above, because you're making an excuse like some others are trying to do here to justify the drop in Apple's computer sales as their fault only when the rest of the market is dropping along with them. You have absolutely zero idea what the average middle-class has as far as money and what they spend their money on. In fact its not uncommon for people with less deep pockets to spend more money on higher priced products. Those consumers want stuff to last and buying cheap only leads them to replacing it faster so your point is flawed.

 

[nad8e]

Apple's computers, especially the retina macbook pros are build with such good quality that consumers dont need to upgrade every other year, but rather every 3-5 years. Makes sense

You are spot on and I wish there was data to back this! The POS Dell I use for work are limping along after 3 years, and should really be replaced after 2 years.

My 2009 MBP is now 4 years old and I have no plans to upgrade for at least 2 years. The battery is still great and it runs fast now that it's maxed on RAM and have an upgraded hard drive. The only reason I will replace my MBP in the next few years is if it's stolen or destroyed. (Or the MBP incorporated a touch screen soon.)

 

[Elijahg]

Check my post above, because you're making an excuse like some others are trying to do here to justify the drop in Apple's computer sales as their fault only when the rest of the market is dropping along with them. You have absolutely zero idea what the average middle-class has as far as money and what they spend their money on. In fact its not uncommon for people with less deep pockets to spend more money on higher priced products. Those consumers want stuff to last and buying cheap only leads them to replacing it faster so your point is flawed.

Where's your data? Apple's sales drop in the PC market IS partly their fault, they are cannibalising their own sales by their own admission. Of course this is better than a different company cannibalising their sales. Oh wait, I suppose that's wrong too? Apple has been bucking the downward trend in PC sales for the last few years, but that trend seems to have reversed for Apple now. How do you explain that?

If you want data on average middle class income and you are THAT worried about it, Google works well.

The entire PC market is at a decline but as soon as any news about Apple's computers declining in sales you guys like to blame Apple for the lack of ports on their machines, lack of upgradability, lack of this, lack of that, yada yada yada

So I suppose you think iMacs have to be as thin and possible with only wireless interfaces, and the new Mac Pro is awesome?

 

[Four oF NINE]

Yes it does. Have you seen the prices Apple charges? Most people are finding the price/value ratio just isn't there.

The experience of an Apple computer is so far above and beyond anything else, the price is well justified.

 

[RobertMartens]

Maybe Apple should try, you know, releasing new products again? That seemed to work in the past. This whole drought thing doesn't seem to be working particularly well, shock horror.

I think they will release something when it is ready

 

[appleisking]

I have a family member who is desperate because his charger is broken and he can't afford a new laptop. When I suggested to buy a charger from eBay he was completely dumbfounded. That's not even repairing the laptop, just replacing an outside part. And it never occurred to him.

lol if he had gone to Apple about it and showed them the charger, they probably would have replaced it for free especially if the computer is still under warranty.

 

[Irock619]

Well what's your take on people who continue to spend ridiculous money on Gucci and LV bags and such? Those companies certainly stay in business and their products are definitely about perceived value.

There you go comparing apples to oranges again. Gucci what? LV what?? I've never heard of these products seriously!!

 

[Macboy Pro]

So what explains the rest of the PC decline then? Or the major success of the iPad?

Easy.... PRICE and ability to get extended warranty. If you buy a rMBP with a 768GB SSD, 16GB RAM, You are in the upper $3k for a laptop with a 1 Year warranty, non-user serviceable, and only upgradeable to 3YR (TOTAL) for an additional $350. NO PC compares and most PC Laptops are repairable,

Ipad is a different animal at $1k or less

----------

Not really. Again, proprietary hardware (which apple has had for years btw and has seen increases in sales in the past beyond that) doesn't really affect overall market share. Most people just aren't gonna go thru upgrading batteries, RAM, hdd, etc. They buy a new computer when theirs starts to lag behind certain standards.

With all do respect, I think you are incorrect. The Macbook Pro has been upgradeable for 6+ years. MANY MANY MANY end users put larger drives or SSD, larger RAM, etc in their Macbook Pros over the life of the system.

 

[HenryDJP]

There you go comparing apples to oranges again. Gucci what? LV what?? I've never heard of these products seriously!!

There "I" go again comparing apples to oranges? Where was I doing this before? Replying to the wrong person perhaps?

 

[astrocramp]

It blows my mind that people are still buying a Dell or HP over Apple.

I was really anticipating the last iMac refresh - I have MBA and and older MBP. But, what they did was make a thin, non-upgradeable and oversized Macbook. I bought instead the Dell XPS One 27" - touchscreen, easy access to drives and RAM, etc. It's really a great machine, and while OSX is nice, Windows 8 is also a very good OS.

I'm wondering how well the new iMac is selling, its limitations might have something to do with the decline.

 

[malman89]

My 2008 iMac is still running strong. I guess if I had a PC, I would have replaced it long ago.

Darn you Apple and your quality!!!

Lucky for you, but Apple sure does screw up build quality more often on the portable side.

I treat my laptop (Late 2006 MacBook) with the utmost care and I had to replace my battery due to swelling once and it's swollen again, but Apple no longer supports it. Also, the plastic palm rest cracked twice for me - simply due to me resting my wrists on the base! Never dropped or mistreated it.

I also had my MagSafe cable replaced under the class action suit for free.

So now I have an old laptop whose battery is faulty (lasts an hour max if I can deal with it being plugged in and interfering with the touch pad).

---

I had an HP prior that lasted 5 hard years. I really beat it up. I was a pretty intense gamer at the time, so I would spend countless hours working that machine to the max with no issues.

 

[Irock619]

The iPad is affordable, designed and packaged as a "luxury item" and not cheap junk, satisfies the needs of the masses

That's the argument here. Apple computers are too damn expensive for what they can do and is not affordable by the masses. The iPad is affordable and is not a cheap piece of crap. Perhaps this is why computer sells are declining.

You're argument isn't holding even an ounce of water. LV and Gucci are also competing in a commoditized market. Nobody needs a LV bag, purse or luggage. There are hundreds of cheaper alternatives that are perhaps built equally as well with beauty to match. Still it's about preference and people will spend their money on those luxury brands

These fashion products are targeted toward a specific audience. Apple claims they want global recognition and they want to "enhance" peoples quality of life with their products across all classes of people, not just rich people. There are hundreds of products that compete with Apple as well, and the numbers are showing that their competitors are winning the PC market. Why are these cheaper products selling more than Apples expensive PC's? Maybe because people want more bang for their buck and that is their "preference".

I just love how some people here are making this all about Apple. The entire PC market is at a decline but as soon as any news about Apple's computers declining in sales you guys like to blame Apple for the lack of ports on their machines, lack of upgradability, lack of this, lack of that, yada yada yada and yet some people here have these very products listed in their signatures. Hypocritical to say the least.

Well you are on MacRumors. You joined in 2012 so I fail to see how this surprises you.

Check my post above, because you're making an excuse like some others are trying to do here to justify the drop in Apple's computer sales as their fault only when the rest of the market is dropping along with them. You have absolutely zero idea what the average middle-class has as far as money and what they spend their money on. In fact its not uncommon for people with less deep pockets to spend more money on higher priced products. Those consumers want stuff to last and buying cheap only leads them to replacing it faster so your point is flawed.

I think your logic is flawed in this point. How many Apple products are returned or need serviced each year? This wouldn't be the case if it wasn't for Apple's awesome customer service. My MBP's HDD, microphone, and screen failed in the first year, which is unsat for a computer that costs almost $2K.

There "I" go again comparing apples to oranges? Where was I doing this before? Replying to the wrong person perhaps?

Ok maybe not "again" since I've never read any of your posts. However perception is reality and first impressions are everything