Smug Mac weenies (henceforth SMWs) everywhere are torn when it comes to market share. On the one hand, a bigger slice of the pie means a bigger, better software market, and better support from hardware manufacturers. On the other hand, Mac-ubiquity would detract from the feeling of 'differentness' that we SMWs do so enjoy.
Since its introduction in 1984, the Mac has never had more than 10% share of the PC market. And, despite amazing advances in the platform's design, it's been dropping steadily for the last 10 years.
Despite over 20 years of Apple history suggesting otherwise, analyst Charles Wolf of Needham & Co plays the anti-Dvorak and predicts a Mac market explosion:
Apple's move to Intel processors and its development of Boot Camp could triple its market share in the home markets, according to Needham & Co analyst Charles Wolf.He describes the dual boot and Intel move as maybe: "Conjuring the magic that could double its market share."
Wolf notes his recent online survey of college students, which revealed a dramatic increase in the number of Macs Apple may potentially sell, but warns that these results may be biased because the "higher education market is one of the Mac's strongholds".
Emphasis added
Although it would be nice, I think "Conjuring the magic" is more accurate than Wolf intends.
Comments (3)
As a former PC weenie, I sw... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Tom Meadath | June 25, 2006 12:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
As a former PC weenie, I switched to Mac because I was tired of slow performance, hangs, blue screens and unidentifiable errors in hex code. My two Mac's, a G4 laptop and a G5 desktop have not been off for three years. They run Word and Excel just fine. I tell everyone I talk to - "Switch to Mac."
By the way, the new Mac TV commercials are fantastic.
1. Posted by Tom Meadath | June 25, 2006 12:29 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on June 25, 2006 12:29
2. Posted by Gianni | June 30, 2006 11:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I am sure hoping that Mac's increase their marketshare. And I won't mind at all if we lose our exclusivity. It is time that the Apple team gets a fair shake from the consumers. I don't have the money today to buy a Mac laptop but I have been getting gift vouchers/credit cards for the Apple store for half a year now to save towards switching to a MacBook. I have put off any more PC purchases for over a year anticipating that this might come and it did. The only thing I need a PC for is Autocad since I am an engineer and this makes that possible. If they could only get Autocad to port over to OSX then I wouldn't even need Windows at all. I have to wonder how many more people are in the wings waiting to switch like me. I also like the notion that if the Windows side is getting bogged down with a virus I will be able to switch to the OSX side not that I anticipate being in Window for longer than I absolutely need. I played with my brothers Intel Imac and loved it. And I used to have the original Imac but I just had to use Autocad. Now I can! Hooray!
2. Posted by Gianni | June 30, 2006 11:15 PM |
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Posted on June 30, 2006 23:15
3. Posted by T Brown | July 6, 2006 3:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Market share is something that shifts constantly. Even if Apple obtained 50% market share, it is not the market share that Mac-users prioritize...it is the style. Mac computers have a different image in the mind of us techie-computer geeks. It is more streamline and sexy than the boring PC. Generally, the new apple commercials really are an accurate representation of both Mac and PC users. Its the attitude and culture of Mac products that Mac users love. Always pushing the envelope; always hot new products. Its the rock and roll mentality; the kind of O/S your parents hate.
3. Posted by T Brown | July 6, 2006 3:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 6, 2006 15:15