One in Six US Laptops Sold by Apple

[Jimmy 2004]

According to market watcher NPD, Apple was the third largest laptop vendor during June, with only Toshiba and HP selling more machines. This puts Apple ahead of other major names such as Dell, Gateway and Lenovo, as buyers continue to choose Apple's updated MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks over the more conventional brands. Figures show that Apple accounted for 17.6% of the laptop market, up from 14.3% in May, which also means that more than one in six laptops sold in the USA are made by Apple. However, these are only based on retailer sales, so the direct-to-buyer figures may tell a completely different story. This news comes soon after Apple managed to take the third-spot in overall computer sales, tied with Gateway on 5.6% (behind Dell and HP).

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[jocksteeluk]

i wonder how much of these sales have been generated by apple allowing use of windows and the exploding battery saga endured by the rest of the manufacturers.

 

[Ravenas]

I don't think people buy an Apple machine for Windows...The only convience is when you had a old Windows machine and want to put your copy of Windows on your Macbook (for convience).

 

[Casheti]

Mac's rule, whether in Laptop or Desktop form.

 

[Polaris573]

People are buying Macs because they are sometimes higher quality than other laptops. Also, people know that vista doesn't work very well and XP is becoming outdated. However, I think the biggest reason is that they are trendy. If someone carries their laptop around then they're either a nerd or an uptight businessman. Cary a macbook around and you're suddenly hip, artsy, and relaxed. Apple has had an extraordinarily successful advertising campaign over the last 4 or 5 years. Tip of the hat to them.

This can be evidenced by asking someone why a Mac is better than a PC. They will generally utter vague generalities associated with marketing. For example: "Macs are just better" "They're cool" "They're Pretty" "Macs are faster" "Macs are better for Art".

When in reality the main difference between a Mac and a PC is the OS and the higher quality chassis. There isn't as much of an architecture difference anymore since Macs now use intel processors.

 

[Ravenas]

People are buying Macs because they are sometimes higher quality than other laptops. Also, people know that vista doesn't work very well and XP is becoming outdated. However, I think the biggest reason is that they are trendy. If someone carries their laptop around then they're either a nerd or an uptight businessman. Cary a macbook around and you're suddenly hip, artsy, and relaxed. Apple has had an extraordinarily successful advertising campaign over the last 4 or 5 years. Tip of the hat to them.

I can agree with this, but Apple doesn't make their own laptop bags (so you really don't know what kind of laptop a person really has). Also, you left out college students in your list of examples!

EDIT: Mac does have a better ease of use in my opinion. However, this should be a wake up call to other companies about what people like and don't like. Obviously people want their 1,500$ laptop investment to look as well as it runs. Other companies need to take notice of what Apple is doing.

 

[Polaris573]

It's because I'm seeing an upswing of college students buying macbooks and/or wanting to buy macbooks. They're becoming more associated with being a trendy young college student than laptops are. The number one response I receive when asking someone at college why they want a macbook is, "Because they're so cool man!"

 

[Casheti]

The first thing that amazed me about a Mac was when I use OSX. That was beast And I used one of the G series desktops with the built in camera and stuff and it was so damn cool.

And the fact they're all white makes them really cool. Combined with a nice clean O/S it's the best computer out there.

And some Mac Laptops can run BF2 really nicely. BF2 in college

 

[Polaris573]

The first thing that amazed me about a Mac was when I use OSX. That was beast And I used one of the G series desktops with the built in camera and stuff and it was so damn cool.

And the fact they're all white makes them really cool. Combined with a nice clean O/S it's the best computer out there.

And some Mac Laptops can run BF2 really nicely. BF2 in college

No offense, but Casheti you just made my point about their excellent marketing campaign and people using marketing generalities to explain why they bought a mac.

 

[Casheti]

Bottom line: Would I trade my PC for a Mac? Yes.

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

People are buying Macs because they are sometimes higher quality than other laptops. Also, people know that vista doesn't work very well and XP is becoming outdated. However, I think the biggest reason is that they are trendy.

#1 reason: OS X.
Geek squad is expensive.

No more geek squad? No more spyware? No more adware?
Its amazing how many people are like YES!!!!!

#2 reason: Machines look nice.

I take my macbook pro to people's house to fix things, they're like WOW THATS A NICE LAPTOP!


Ad best of all, I can set someone up with a new macbook, with all opensource software that can do EVERYTHING they will need, and then some!
Plus, who doesn't love adium? Best IM ever.

If that isn't enough to sell them... "you can always run windows if you hate os x" always wins.

Its like buying a hybrid with the guarantee you can always switch to the gas guzzling engine at any time.

 

[Polaris573]

Yeah, dippy I'm just talking about the majority. I know you know your macs, and that there are many people that buy macs with good reason.

 

[TXcharger]

macs are ridiculously expensive... i built that laptop in my sig for right around 1400 and i think it looks better and will definitely out perform any macbook out... wait for my review coming soon! and you will be converted

macs are for wussies

 

[Conti027]

It's because I'm seeing an upswing of college students buying macbooks and/or wanting to buy macbooks. They're becoming more associated with being a trendy young college student than laptops are. The number one response I receive when asking someone at college why they want a macbook is, "Because they're so cool man!"

i totally agree cause that the macbooks are trendy like the i-pods were. I've never used one but i do here that they are good but i would never buy one cause i've never used one.

also does running windows on a macbook make it slower cause its not made for it?

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

also does running windows on a macbook make it slower cause its not made for it?

Why would it?

Its pc hardware... only difference is it uses the CSM for EFI instead of a bios. Windows couldn't tell the difference if it tried.

macs are ridiculously expensive... i built that laptop in my sig for right around 1400 and i think it looks better and will definitely out perform any macbook out... wait for my review coming soon! and you will be converted

macs are for wussies

Ignorance is bliss, too.

Thing is, users are no longer in need of "speed" when it comes to a computer. A core 2 duo will run e-mail, instant messaging, homework papers, and browsing more than adequately for the next few years.

The general user is now feeling the pain of how much the places like geek squad charge, and when they see a mac doesn't have to do that...

well its pretty self explanitory why people are liking them.

"its cool" is just going to get their foot in the door. Once they own it, they likely won't go back to a PC.

And thats where windows is going to get screwed in the long run. You can brag and sing and praise any performance advantages you want, but the majority of people owning computers don't really care, if you can guarantee they will almost NEVER have to format because some spyware is screwing up windows, and they have a paper due in 12 hours.

If you're willing to put in the time, yeah maybe you can get a few frames per second by living with windows. Most people would prefer to save the hours of time it takes cleaning windows, and do it right the first time. But for some people, penny pinching is worth more than endless headaches, and geek squad bills that eventually bring the true TCO to a windows machine significantly higher than a mac will ever reach.

 

[Ravenas]

Really not everyone is saying these things though... Most people who buy computers don't know what half the components are even doing (in my opinion). Most people couldn't tell you the language used for writing the OS (again, imo).

Bottom line is (at least it seems to me)...you guys are getting your answers about Macs from people who don't know jack about a computer, so they say the computer is "cool". That's their way of saying that they like the computer, and in their opinon it's an awesome piece of technolgy. So in that sense, it may be trendy yes, but they consider it to be an awesome computer.

What's wrong with those answers? Do you consider them to be false answers because the person doesn't know as much about the computer as say maybe you?

No offense to anyone.

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

What's wrong with those answers? Do you consider them to be false answers because the person doesn't know as much about the computer as say maybe you?

No offense to anyone.

Ofcourse!

Consumers are never allowed to like a product, because it doesnt get 999fps in css!!!

Therefore its worthless overpriced and the scum of the earth.






Not really a need to defend this situation though, the numbers speak for themselves, despite what any fanboy says. apple's market has grown exponentially, and will continue.

Mac os X leopard(10.5) will only strengthen this market growth.

 

[WarEagleAU]

thats a nice law of averages for mac there.

I admit, I like the macs look and power, but Im not a fan of APPLE software.

 

[kwchang007]

Honestly, I hate OSX. I've screwed around with it in an apple store and I was like how the hell do I open something simple. Honestly, no start, nothing I'm used to, office you need a special mac version, you can't get this on it etc. Now also honestly, I love how the macbooks work. If when I bought my laptop I could afford 2 grand to drop on a laptop with boot camp, I would've done it. But fact of the matter is that something close to (better in gfx) in mac form costs ~1000 more. For me, saving a $1000 is much more of an advantage than the looks. Now maybe when I get rich and can afford nice toys....it'll be a different story.

 

[niko084]

I own a six pc's, running various forms of linux and/or windows.
I own a laptop that only runs linux.
I own a G3 mac that runs OsX

I'm planning on buying a Mac Powerbook...

Reasons-
Looks really sharp IMO
Aluminum case *please can't touch that in most pc companies
Great looking screen
Great for audio dj software
I can get a sweet deal because I have a friend who manages a store

Although I may not know a lot about Mac's I have grown a love for OsX, seriously I think it's the best thing since and Gui was invented. It's disturbingly fast, easy, and yet offers everything you need for basic serving and advanced tech work the annoying wizards in Vista wont let you get around. Do some people have poor reasons for liking it, yes, is the apple market flooded by fan boys, ohh believe me it is, but OsX and what Apple did to it is exactly what Microsoft needs to do to windows, Start Fresh, Start New, Completely and get it done right.

I am also considering installing Mac OsX on my main machine for digital audio recording and editing work. I have no use for a Mac desktop, and wont pay the premium price for one, the notebook I can justify.

 

[Ravenas]

Mac is honestly the best OS I have ever experienced. However, when it comes to gaming Windows is currently the best. In the near future, all of this will soon change, due to profit.

I own a six pc's, running various forms of linux and/or windows.
I own a laptop that only runs linux.
I own a G3 mac that runs OsX

I'm planning on buying a Mac Powerbook...

Reasons-
Looks really sharp IMO
Aluminum case *please can't touch that in most pc companies
Great looking screen
Great for audio dj software
I can get a sweet deal because I have a friend who manages a store

Although I may not know a lot about Mac's I have grown a love for OsX, seriously I think it's the best thing since and Gui was invented. It's disturbingly fast, easy, and yet offers everything you need for basic serving and advanced tech work the annoying wizards in Vista wont let you get around. Do some people have poor reasons for liking it, yes, is the apple market flooded by fan boys, ohh believe me it is, but OsX and what Apple did to it is exactly what Microsoft needs to do to windows, Start Fresh, Start New, Completely and get it done right.

I am also considering installing Mac OsX on my main machine for digital audio recording and editing work. I have no use for a Mac desktop, and wont pay the premium price for one, the notebook I can justify.

 

[Benpi]

Geek squad is expensive.

No more geek squad? No more spyware? No more adware?
Its amazing how many people are like YES!!!!!

Dippy, your spyware and adware defense is getting a bit outdated. I don't know anybody who has spyware/adware problems. not even my grandparents. That's just old-school mac commercial PC slander.

Besides, I'd never buy a laptop with only 1 mouse button You can go ahead and have fun with your macbook though; I won't try to stop you.

 

[niko084]

Dippy, your spyware and adware defense is getting a bit outdated. I don't know anybody who has spyware/adware problems. not even my grandparents. That's just old-school mac commercial PC slander.

Besides, I'd never buy a laptop with only 1 mouse button You can go ahead and have fun with your macbook though; I won't try to stop you.

1 Mouse button.... Now you are in old school mac.....

And although adware and spyware issues have taken a pretty strong cut back, a lot of people still worry about it.

 

[Wile E]

Dippy, your spyware and adware defense is getting a bit outdated. I don't know anybody who has spyware/adware problems. not even my grandparents. That's just old-school mac commercial PC slander.

Besides, I'd never buy a laptop with only 1 mouse button You can go ahead and have fun with your macbook though; I won't try to stop you.

I can't remember the last time a Mac came with a one-button mouse. And even if it did, who cares? 2 button mice are cheap, and work just like they do in Windows.

And nobody has spyware/adware problems? Tell that to my mother, and her recently acquired bug. Received from Myspace, on a dial-up connection, with both Norton 07 and Spyware Dr running.

Which is another point, you DON'T NEED that software on OS X, but you do on Windows, especially if you are just an average PC user.

While you may feel the argument played out, it doesn't change the fact that it still rings true.