Apple thrives under Vista onslaught, steady on iPods

[AppleInsider]

An expert at Morgan Stanley has reasoned that of all the major computer makers in play during the release of Windows Vista, the only one to avoid taking a hit in sales was the one company that chose not to run the software at all: Apple.

In a research note issued to investors, Morgan Stanley analyst Kathryn Huberty advised readers that Apple was the healthiest PC vendor during the first two months of the new year, seeing virtually no damage to its rapid growth compared to Windows-using rivals.

"[Apple] is the only vendor that appears unscathed by the Vista transition," Huberty said.

Most system builders predictably suffered from the combination of both the post-holiday seasonal slump and the wait for Microsoft's long-delayed OS. Buyers at retail and in smaller-scale businesses repeatedly showed hesitation in buying a new Windows PC throughout most of January knowing that Vista loomed near.

Companies such as Lenovo were especially hurt, seeing a virtually flat 3 percent growth from one year to the next compared to a much healthier 29 percent during the same period in 2006. Even current industry champion Hewlett-Packard saw a slight dip, according to the note.

But while virtually every vendor of Windows PCs depended on the Vista-related sales surge in February to make up for a lackluster first month, Apple continued its march forward seemingly untouched by Vista's presence: the number of Macs shipped to the same business and retail buyers grew by 71 percent year-over-year in January and a nearly identical 72 percent in February.

Apple also took an 8 percent share of this particular market, compared to 6 percent a year ago -- boding especially well for the still modestly sized Mac maker in the face of resurgent competition. Some assumed the company would lose ground to Vista as it had with prior Windows updates.

A consistently strong showing was also the hallmark of the California firm's other core business, the iPod. Apple showed no signs of letting go of its by now well-entrenched marketshare, holding over 73 percent of the music player sales through the early part of the year and growing 30 percent between the same two months in 2006 and 2007. Would-be challengers had to largely be content with taking each other's business, the report noted.

The combined effect was to position Apple as one of the strongest computer companies heading into the spring, pulling ahead not only of the 23 percent average jump in PC sales during the 12-month span but also having an extremely resilient digital media player share to boost its finances. Huberty was clearly impressed by the outlook for the company's short-term future.

"Continued Mac momentum and strong double-digit iPod growth... give us confidence that [Apple] will beat expectations in the March [quarter]," she said.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[mgkwho]

it's.

not.

friday.

-=|Mgkwho

[Matthew Yohe]

AI is beginning a new habit of showing you articles from THE FUTURE.

[crees!]

Unless I overlooked it, there is no mention of OS X in the article. That said, your average user, and possibly even this "analyst", might think Apple runs Windows as it's only OS. It certainly seems like it is indirectly implied.

[Wil Maneker]

Originally Posted by crees!

Unless I overlooked it, there is no mention of OS X in the article. That said, your average user, and possibly even this "analyst", might think Apple runs Windows as it's only OS. It certainly seems like it is indirectly implied.

At the time I read the AI post, it states clearly that Apple is a vendor that does not sell computers running Windows.

[Ireland]

Back online are we?

[SpamSandwich]

It's Friday somewhere.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

It's Friday somewhere.

At any given moment, you should be able to find some place in the universe where it is Friday.

[orange whip]

Originally Posted by mgkwho

it's.

not.

friday.

-=|Mgkwho

I've already experience 13 hours of Firiday.


The world is not entirely US Centric

[mgkwho]

Originally Posted by orange whip

I've already experience 13 hours of Firiday.


The world is not entirely US Centric

AppleInsider is.

-=|Mgkwho

[melgross]

Originally Posted by mgkwho

it's.

not.

friday.

-=|Mgkwho

It is now.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by crees!

Unless I overlooked it, there is no mention of OS X in the article. That said, your average user, and possibly even this "analyst", might think Apple runs Windows as it's only OS. It certainly seems like it is indirectly implied.

Is reading a problem? Or are you saying that they changed it?

First sentence:

An expert at Morgan Stanley has reasoned that of all the major computer makers in play during the release of Windows Vista, the only one to avoid taking a hit in sales was the one company that chose not to run the software at all: Apple.

[John French]

Somehow, I'm not terribly surprised....

[orange whip]

Originally Posted by mgkwho

AppleInsider is.

-=|Mgkwho

You do your country no favours with that kind of attitude.

[Chucker]

Originally Posted by orange whip

You do your country no favours with that kind of attitude.

It's a US-based website. They're perfectly entitled to be US-centric.

And no, I'm not a US citizen.

[fastred]

Originally Posted by mgkwho

AppleInsider is.

-=|Mgkwho

No its not ...

Mgwk-whatever...

[Wiggin]

Well, I get my April MacWorld in late Feb, and here in Chicago I can buy the Sunday paper on Saturday afternoon. So what's the big deal with AI posting an article on late Thur saying it's part of their Friday "edition". Especially since it's consumed world-wide, regardless of where it's published?

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by Chucker

It's a US-based website. They're perfectly entitled to be US-centric.

And no, I'm not a US citizen.

I'm sure they can defend themselves.
Why don't we all try and get back on topic. The real point here is that Vista isn't make Apple look bad, and that's a win for Apple. We all want Leopard to be done properly and not rushed, but if we had that Time Machine now we'd all use it

[BenRoethig]

Originally Posted by Matthew Yohe

AI is beginning a new habit of showing you articles from THE FUTURE.

If they could only do that with the Powerball or Mega millions numbers.

[caliminius]

As I continue to read these articles about analyst reports, I keep asking myself, "Do they really get paid to state the obvious?" Why exactly would Vista's impending launch affect Mac sales? Mac's aren't Windows PC's and HP/Dell/Lenovo computers aren't OS X PC's.

Microsoft announced a new version of the Xbox but I highly doubt it will affect sales of the Nintendo Wii, Sony's PS3 or toasters. Can I get my analyst pay for that obvious conclusion?

If Apple announced a release date for Leopard, I bet we'd see a similar slow down in Mac sales. They'll probably be one as the "late Spring" launch deadline draws near and people anticipate Leopard's arrival.

[Steinar]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

At any given moment, you should be able to find some place in the universe where it is Friday.

I never got the hang of Thursdays

[DeaPeaJay]

Originally Posted by caliminius

As I continue to read these articles about analyst reports, I keep asking myself, "Do they really get paid to state the obvious?" Why exactly would Vista's impending launch affect Mac sales? Mac's aren't Windows PC's and HP/Dell/Lenovo computers aren't OS X PC's.

Microsoft announced a new version of the Xbox but I highly doubt it will affect sales of the Nintendo Wii, Sony's PS3 or toasters. Can I get my analyst pay for that obvious conclusion?

If Apple announced a release date for Leopard, I bet we'd see a similar slow down in Mac sales. They'll probably be one as the "late Spring" launch deadline draws near and people anticipate Leopard's arrival.

No you can't get your analyst pay for that incorrect conclusion. People weigh their options when buying computers. If they see a new computer with a brand new operating, it could effect their decision to buy a mac. They're in the SAME MARKET! Businesses in the same market take market share from each other.

[DeaPeaJay]

Originally Posted by mgkwho

AppleInsider is.

-=|Mgkwho

what attitude?

[mgkwho]

Apparently I have attitude...I'm really just trying to be light-hearted.

But there's no room for humor when we're talking about Windows, I guess...




some people need to take sticks out of their...

BTW everybody, it is really hard to tell inflection or attitude from plain text.

-=|Mgkwho

[Tokolosh]

Considering the number of people who are likely waiting for the new Mac OS and still Apple is unaffected by the Vista release. What that tells me is Apple has an opportunity to make a pretty big splash before the end of Spring.

[BlackSummerNight]

I have to disagree. If someone is looking for a new PC, then they are going to get it. How do Mac sales come into play? Yeah, they all are computers, but they are not the same.

Originally Posted by DeaPeaJay

No you can't get your analyst pay for that incorrect conclusion. People weigh their options when buying computers. If they see a new computer with a brand new operating, it could effect their decision to buy a mac. They're in the SAME MARKET! Businesses in the same market take market share from each other.

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by DeaPeaJay

No you can't get your analyst pay for that incorrect conclusion. People weigh their options when buying computers. If they see a new computer with a brand new operating, it could effect their decision to buy a mac. They're in the SAME MARKET! Businesses in the same market take market share from each other.

The vast majority of people NEVER see a Mac when they go to buy a new computer. The only places consumers would be weighing their options is CompUSA (the ones that aren't closing) and a couple Best Buy stores or online. Most people probably aren't even aware that they run different operating systems (the current Apple ads never show Tiger running). What they knew from going to Circuit City, Best Buy or the Dell website is that a new OS was coming out for the computer.

Put simply, people would have to know what a Mac was to have it affect their decision on whether to buy one or not.

[max_naylor]

Originally Posted by caliminius

The vast majority of people NEVER see a Mac when they go to buy a new computer. The only places consumers would be weighing their options is CompUSA (the ones that aren't closing) and a couple Best Buy stores or online. Most people probably aren't even aware that they run different operating systems (the current Apple ads never show Tiger running). What they knew from going to Circuit City, Best Buy or the Dell website is that a new OS was coming out for the computer.

Put simply, people would have to know what a Mac was to have it affect their decision on whether to buy one or not.

I entirely agree. People (and by people, I mean Joe Bloggs) do not even seem to notice that Macs don’t run Windows. Even if you put one in front of them. I let my friend have a go on my MacBook and it took him like ten minutes to ask ”where’s the Start button?”, and then about a further five minutes to work out for himself that there isn’t one.

Apple should really start to show off OS X more and get the idea into consumer’s heads that OS X and Windows are different. And, that OS X is better. But we all knew that anyway.

[Rot'nApple]

Originally Posted by mgkwho

it's.

not.

friday.

-=|Mgkwho

I didn't see this article published as I perused the rumors sites before turning in for bed Thursday evening, so I could be wrong or maybe things once stated, were, but have now been changed, BUT, I'm seeing the following...

Friday, March 30, 2007

Apple thrives under Vista onslaught...

By Aidan Malley

Published: 12:00 AM EST

- if that is truely when it was published (12:00 AM EST), does that not make the date Friday, March 30, 2007. I'm confused. What is it that others are seeing and causing them to say "it's not Friday" or "AI shows articles from the future"??? I hate seeing one thing and reading the opposite and I hate being out of the loop! Somebody Help Me!!!

[Hade]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

I have to disagree. If someone is looking for a new PC, then they are going to get it. How do Mac sales come into play? Yeah, they all are computers, but they are not the same.

But you are implying that people who are into PC 's would never even CONSIDER buying a Mac, by definition. If that were true, the number of Macs sold wouldn 't be growing.
And if it 's not true, that means that people who were considering buying a Mac might very well stop considering because they think Vista is OK, too.

[jamezog]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

A consistently strong showing was also the hallmark of the California firm's other core business, the iPod. Apple showed no signs of letting go of its by now well-entrenched marketshare, holding over 73 percent of the music player sales through the early part of the year and growing 30 percent between the same two months in 2006 and 2007. Would-be challengers had to largely be content with taking each other's business, the report noted.

"Would-be challengers..." Hmm, I wonder who THAT would be a reference to?

[Louzer]

Forget the date debate. Let's get to something more serious. Are they actually calling an analyst an "expert"????

[Porchland]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple also took an 8 percent share of this particular market, compared to 6 percent a year ago -- boding especially well for the still modestly sized Mac maker in the face of resurgent competition. Some assumed the company would lose ground to Vista as it had with prior Windows updates.

What "resurgent competition." The whole article is about how poorly the "competition" is doing since Vista. Do you not know what resurgent means or not understand that your article is about?

Also, who assumed Apple would lose ground to Vista? The article you source on this was poorly sourced itself and doesn't really say how Apple would lose ground to Vista.

Finally, what "prior Windows updates" have hurt Apple? XP? XP SP1?

Boo.

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by Hade

But you are implying that people who are into PC 's would never even CONSIDER buying a Mac, by definition. If that were true, the number of Macs sold wouldn 't be growing.
And if it 's not true, that means that people who were considering buying a Mac might very well stop considering because they think Vista is OK, too.

I think the assumption is that the vast majority of people looking to buy a computer aren't considering a Mac. Thus a certain portion is considering it and making the switch, but the rest don't know or don't care what a Mac is.

If someond did a survey at the local Walmart and asked people the question, "What is a Mac?" how many would answer that it was a computer versus how many would say they thought it was a McDonald's sandwich? As much as it would be nice to believe it would be primarily the first choice, chances are it wouldn't be.

[EruIthildur]

Originally Posted by melgross

Is reading a problem? Or are you saying that they changed it?

First sentence:

[blue2kdave]

Originally Posted by Chucker

It's a US-based website. They're perfectly entitled to be US-centric.

And no, I'm not a US citizen.

Thank you.

See Ireland, its no so hard.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by blue2kdave

Thank you.

See Ireland, its no so hard.

We live in a global economy and thanks to the iPod Apple is now a strong global brand. Although Sony was founded 30 years before Apple they have a smaller company value, but and here's the big but, they have many stores in my country and all round Europe. Sure it was only five years ago that Apple opened their first store, but it's about time they stated treating Europe with the same amount of fucus they do America, and for our sake and Apple's they need to start putting stores in other countries besides England. Sure they have plans to do this, but we want to see some action and the quicker that happens the better. The Mac has a presents in America, but not here and Apple stores would change that I'm sure of it, besides I could drive to an Apple store and buy direct which is what we all want in the end.

[aegisdesign]

Originally Posted by Ireland

Sure it was only five years ago that Apple opened their first store, but it's about time they stated treating Europe with the same amount of fucus they do America, and for our sake and Apple's they need to start putting stores in other countries besides England.

There's two in Scotland opening this year. Glasgow in July, Edinburgh later in the year. They're getting around to it gradually.

[reverie]

AI's writing style is annoying me more and more. Just get that pomade out of your words.

[solair]

To get back to the original poster's point:
It's a bit of a pointless article. Apple's extremely unlikely to be affected by the launch of Windows Vista. The Windows and Mac markets operate in parallel rather than in direct competition.

PC Makers in general are still churning out generic products that are as boring as ever. The likes of DELL etc don't really provide any innovation for the PC as a consumer product. The vast majority of PCs still looking and feeling like office or lab equipment rather than genuine finished consumer products.

Only perhaps Sony has any sort of product differnciation.

Apple will continue to grow within its niche in the market as the demand for high end media-centric computers is rising and the PC market still, even with vista, hasn't really addressed this as effectively as apple has.

The growth of high speed broadband and all the movie and audio centric stuff that this creates is always going to benefit apple as that's the market its products are specifically targeting.

There's also no question that the Mac is riding on the success of the iPod, iTunes and probabally the iPhone when it goes more mass-market.