Market Share Is A Big Deal

mr. macintosh · January 27, 2003 1:25PM

Apple is fine, sure but what if they could be more fine. Haha, you know what I mean. Financially Apple is probably pretty darn secure but 3.5% of the market just doesnt look solid.

I dont know if it matters, I dont personally care if it matters, I am sold on one brand of computer (a Mac).

The question is why dont more people buy Macs? I truly do not understand it. Apple consistantly 'Innovates' and people recognize that, it seems. But why, if they recognize innovation, do they not go foreward and purchase a Mac?

One thing is certain, if the next generation processor comes out this year Apple will lock up most of its current users for some time to come.

How is it gaining new users and why isnt it?

ijerry · January 27, 2003 1:32PM

reply to second half of question...

first, no surprise cost...second, people use what they know. third, not too many places sell Macs. Not too many people even know they exist. Fourth, word of mouth, both about a wintel being good and a mac being bad. fifth, games, sixth compatibility worries. I am sure there are exceptions and even more reasons...these are just the ones that I have heard most often.

[ 01-27-2003: Message edited by: ijerry ]

superkarate monkeydeathcar · January 27, 2003 1:33PM

"people" are buying macs. consumer marketshare went from about 2% to 4% last year, they are losing ground in education and business.

mr. macintosh · January 27, 2003 1:48PM

[quote]Originally posted by superkaratemonkeydeathcar:

"people" are buying macs. consumer marketshare went from about 2% to 4% last year, they are losing ground in education and business.<hr></blockquote>

So, does this mean Apple is gaining overall market share? If so that is great news...with recent product intros they should be IMO.

objra10 · January 27, 2003 1:56PM

they lost more corporate and educational marketshare than they gained in consumers. According to what I've read, they are down a bit.

Most people who don't use Mac's don't even consider them when looking at a new computer. The average computer purchase in 2002 was around $600. Precisely the reason Dell's 2500 series, Gateways low end series, and eMachines are so popular. The question never even includes Mac's. They are too expensive, people consider them obscure, and they would just assume use something they've always used.

xterra48 · January 27, 2003 1:57PM

People aren't buying macs because they have bad perceptions about apple. to quote a good friend of mine, "macs suck "

- me, " no they dont what reasoning do you have."

-him, " well their slow!"

-me, "just as fast as the computer that you have now"

- him, " uh well there just bad"

some how people think that they are bad, or that fruity artists use them.

mr. macintosh · January 27, 2003 3:15PM

I simply dont understand the misconceptions people have. I think of Apple as the best of breed...great brand name, etc.

Apple is to computers as Porche is to cars, right?

superkarate monkeydeathcar · January 27, 2003 3:46PM

[quote]Apple is to computers as Porsche is to cars, right? <hr></blockquote>

good point, but i think apple would like some chevy/ford business as well.

plus i disagree that people have misconceptions about apple. non tech-savvy people don't care, and people who are, would never rag on apple for it's hardware or applications, they always rag on apple for lack of software, or running speed which was always irrelevant until recently.

eman · January 27, 2003 3:55PM

[quote]Originally posted by Mr. Macintosh:

I simply dont understand the misconceptions people have. I think of Apple as the best of breed...great brand name, etc.

<hr></blockquote>

Chris, I hate to tell you this, but not everyone feels the same way that you do about Apple.

alcimedes · January 27, 2003 4:06PM

OSX brought something to the table that Macs never had before though.

respect from Real computer users.

superkarate monkeydeathcar · January 27, 2003 4:12PM

that's why they are called MISconceptions.

mr. macintosh · January 27, 2003 4:27PM

[quote]Originally posted by EmAn:



Chris, I hate to tell you this, but not everyone feels the same way that you do about Apple.<hr></blockquote>

I know, why not though?

joedangerous · January 27, 2003 5:35PM

Keep in mind how lousy customer service is at some of the chains stores/mega outlets that Apple sells, namely CompUSA and Fry's. I've noticed CompUSA salespeople have gotten better (they actually seem to have gone through an Apple training class- I heard one the other day do a *really great* sales job on a 17" iMac). Frys, though, MAN are they in cahoots with the cone makers or what? They take a pro-active approach to try to get you NOT to buy a Mac! And the Apple section is always in complete shambles.

This is one of my favorite topics. Lets keep this thread going and see what we can do about it.

Dangerous. Joe Dangerous.

joedangerous · January 27, 2003 5:39PM

I just got an idea. Every AA poster/lurker pledges themselves to go get a prat time job at CompUSA or Frys as Apple salespeople. So we just work there weekends, or nights, or during the day if you already have a nightjob. But see what we do is this: Completely bust our ass to sell Macs and Mac accessories like nobody's business. I'll bet I could get people to buy Macs who are in to get inkjet paper. Anyway after 6 months ill bet market share is up to 10%.

Dangerous. Joe Dangerous.

superkarate monkeydeathcar · January 27, 2003 5:52PM

actually a better idea (apple's doing pretty well in improving consumer market share) is getting your school district to buy ibooks for all the 7th graders.

xmoger · January 27, 2003 6:14PM

[quote]Originally posted by superkaratemonkeydeathcar:

"people" are buying macs. consumer marketshare went from about 2% to 4% last year, they are losing ground in education and business.<hr></blockquote>

From apples SEC filings:

Unit sales(millions)

[code]1997 2.874

1998 2.763

1999 3.448

2000 4.558

2001 3.087

2002 3.101</pre><hr></blockquote>

PC unit sales declined in 2001 for the first time in many years, and it was by 1 or 2 percent. So apple marketshare certainly didn't double in 2002. Either that or half the companies and schools ditched apple.

What they need is a low-end computer. And don't say the imac1 is still available. $800 for that is comedy gold.

[ 01-27-2003: Message edited by: xmoger ]

superkarate monkeydeathcar · January 27, 2003 6:24PM

market-share breakdown

education

business

consumer (home non business users)

the market share of the third (consumer) is what has risen in the last two years...

xmoger · January 27, 2003 10:45PM

Yeah, I read that. But I've never seen anything breaking down consumer relative to biz or education.

stunned · January 27, 2003 11:24PM

Regarding the issue of market share:

Market share is a big deal as developers will only produce software titles only if there is a considerable market for it. Apple's dwindling market share will only lead to a software makers exodus in the future and will be detrimental to all mac users.

Just look at how many games are developed for the mac....

Apple need to try and maintain or expand its market share, especially in education. its best and easier to influence young people to buy macs.

Market Share Is A Big Deal

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