[While the switch campaign had nothing to do with it, Apple has certainly converte my family to Macs. Last December, we bought our first Mac, the new 15" TiBook w/ SuperDrive (it was exactly what we had been waiting and hoping for). Two days ago, I bought our second Mac, the 17" AlBook (this one is for me!).
We're both computer professionals. In our case, it was the OS, integration, fit-and-finish, and software that sold us. I've used Unix for the past 14 years, and the thought of having a great GUI on top of such a system almost brought tears to the eyes. Then again, we have been feeling more and more abused by Microsoft, so we also were happy to find such a wonderful method of getting away from it.
I hadn't intended on buying the second laptop so soon, but it's hard to continue using a Windows PC when my wife is sitting next to me playing on her sleek PowerBook. *sigh*
Also, my sister-in-law decided to go with a 17" iMac instead of a PC (and has loved the decision so far, especially with the new iChat AV). My brother bought a PowerMac DP and iBook (for his wife). If we can, we'll be converting our parents next. *grin* Two of my coworkers (I work at an embedded Linux company) had iBooks, which is what got me hooked in the first place.
Three years ago, the Mac would never have occurred to me (and all of the above-mentioned Mac users had PCs). It was a separate world that I never saw, and didn't care much for in any case. With the birth of OS X, I am seeing more and more publicity on the 'net related to Apple and OS X, especially in the tech-related forums. I think word-of-mouth is what going to be making the converts... that and sight-of-OSX.
Fred Anderson said yesteday that the G5 will never reach the levels of 400,000 per year as in the good old days. He felt a yearly 200,000 would be great.
All the more reason to keep the G4 towers as a mid range expandable Mac. (I know it's still available but only in one speed). I know the G5 is in the spotlight today, but there are those who don't need that kind of power but need some expandability.
Fred Anderson said yesteday that the G5 will never reach the levels of 400,000 per year as in the good old days. He felt a yearly 200,000 would be great.
Fred meant 200k per quarter. Apple shipped at 289k G4s the last two quarters (Q3=133k, Q2=156k)--which were pretty anemic.
I think Fred's hedging (as he should). I wouldn't be surprised if Q1(October-December, '03) G5 sales hit 275k.
Unfortunately, I'm not so sure it is working. Certainly it has converted some, but not in the intended numbers.
I just now finished talking to a friend who got a $3000 grant to buy a computer, and wants a Mac. But he wasn't sure if he could get Illustrator, Maya, Flash and a few other apps for the Mac. I helped him out and we also talked about the benefits of the OS vs. XP.
In the end he was happy to have his software concerns put to rest and he's going to go to an Apple Store tomorrow to familiarize himself with the Mac experience.
But the fact he was unaware of such popular titles are available on the Mac is the problem here. He's no idiot. In fact he's one of the best designers I'ved ever met, but he's always been doing his work on PCs. He's only 18 so hasn't been in the design business yet, and he knows he'll be on Macs in college and in the workplace, which is why he's interested in buying now.
But Apple needs to do more to first stress you can get just about anything you want on a Mac that you can on a PC, and then stress the ease of use to boot. Nobody cares if your OS is better/more stable if they think it doesn't offer them anything they want/need.
The available software was the focus of many of the early Switch commercials. People mention Photoshop, Office, Lotus, Quicken, etc. in various 30 second spots.
i would love to see IT people who claim going all PC's will cut costs fired if that isn't the case within 4 years.
seriously, those jackasses make my life a living hell. i want to string them up by their pubes and beat them with hockey puck mice until they admit they're completely full of crap.
sorry, i'm just sick of hearing those tired, BS arguments.
He's only 18 so hasn't been in the design business yet, and he knows he'll be on Macs in college and in the workplace, which is why he's interested in buying now.
I think had he been in the design business already, he'd have no doubt about the availability of the above pro apps on the Mac. Of all demographics, designers should be the least of Apple's worries when it comes to Mac education.
I think had he been in the design business already, he'd have no doubt about the availability of the above pro apps on the Mac. Of all demographics, designers should be the least of Apple's worries when it comes to Mac education.
Yes, that's true. But the fact that he's now 18 and strictly a PC designer (and a damn good one too) and isn't aware of these things already isn't good.
We sometimes like to act like PC people should just know what Macs offer them, but in reality Apple needs to tell them. Assuming they know or even have a clue is a gross misjudgement.
Comments
Originally posted by chu_bakka
http://idc.com/getdoc.jhtml?containe...3_07_16_180525
Apple is the 7th largest computer maker in the US. (in terms of sales.)
That's because there are only seven reasonably large comp companies in existence.
We're both computer professionals. In our case, it was the OS, integration, fit-and-finish, and software that sold us. I've used Unix for the past 14 years, and the thought of having a great GUI on top of such a system almost brought tears to the eyes. Then again, we have been feeling more and more abused by Microsoft, so we also were happy to find such a wonderful method of getting away from it.
I hadn't intended on buying the second laptop so soon, but it's hard to continue using a Windows PC when my wife is sitting next to me playing on her sleek PowerBook. *sigh*
Also, my sister-in-law decided to go with a 17" iMac instead of a PC (and has loved the decision so far, especially with the new iChat AV). My brother bought a PowerMac DP and iBook (for his wife). If we can, we'll be converting our parents next. *grin* Two of my coworkers (I work at an embedded Linux company) had iBooks, which is what got me hooked in the first place.
Three years ago, the Mac would never have occurred to me (and all of the above-mentioned Mac users had PCs). It was a separate world that I never saw, and didn't care much for in any case. With the birth of OS X, I am seeing more and more publicity on the 'net related to Apple and OS X, especially in the tech-related forums. I think word-of-mouth is what going to be making the converts... that and sight-of-OSX.
John
Originally posted by MacsRGood4U
Fred Anderson said yesteday that the G5 will never reach the levels of 400,000 per year as in the good old days. He felt a yearly 200,000 would be great.
All the more reason to keep the G4 towers as a mid range expandable Mac. (I know it's still available but only in one speed). I know the G5 is in the spotlight today, but there are those who don't need that kind of power but need some expandability.
Originally posted by Defiant
reinstating InactionMan
ahem:
wrong: correct:
http://www.macnn.com/feature.php?id=382
http://www.macminute.com/2003/07/16/conferencecall
read. think. write.
Fine. I was wrong for the first and last time in my life. Sure, laugh all you want.
Originally posted by MacsRGood4U
Fred Anderson said yesteday that the G5 will never reach the levels of 400,000 per year as in the good old days. He felt a yearly 200,000 would be great.
Fred meant 200k per quarter. Apple shipped at 289k G4s the last two quarters (Q3=133k, Q2=156k)--which were pretty anemic.
I think Fred's hedging (as he should). I wouldn't be surprised if Q1(October-December, '03) G5 sales hit 275k.
I just now finished talking to a friend who got a $3000 grant to buy a computer, and wants a Mac. But he wasn't sure if he could get Illustrator, Maya, Flash and a few other apps for the Mac. I helped him out and we also talked about the benefits of the OS vs. XP.
In the end he was happy to have his software concerns put to rest and he's going to go to an Apple Store tomorrow to familiarize himself with the Mac experience.
But the fact he was unaware of such popular titles are available on the Mac is the problem here. He's no idiot. In fact he's one of the best designers I'ved ever met, but he's always been doing his work on PCs. He's only 18 so hasn't been in the design business yet, and he knows he'll be on Macs in college and in the workplace, which is why he's interested in buying now.
But Apple needs to do more to first stress you can get just about anything you want on a Mac that you can on a PC, and then stress the ease of use to boot. Nobody cares if your OS is better/more stable if they think it doesn't offer them anything they want/need.
seriously, those jackasses make my life a living hell. i want to string them up by their pubes and beat them with hockey puck mice until they admit they're completely full of crap.
sorry, i'm just sick of hearing those tired, BS arguments.
Originally posted by rageous
He's only 18 so hasn't been in the design business yet, and he knows he'll be on Macs in college and in the workplace, which is why he's interested in buying now.
I think had he been in the design business already, he'd have no doubt about the availability of the above pro apps on the Mac. Of all demographics, designers should be the least of Apple's worries when it comes to Mac education.
Originally posted by frawgz
I think had he been in the design business already, he'd have no doubt about the availability of the above pro apps on the Mac. Of all demographics, designers should be the least of Apple's worries when it comes to Mac education.
Yes, that's true. But the fact that he's now 18 and strictly a PC designer (and a damn good one too) and isn't aware of these things already isn't good.
We sometimes like to act like PC people should just know what Macs offer them, but in reality Apple needs to tell them. Assuming they know or even have a clue is a gross misjudgement.