Overall Mac OS usage market share declining?
Apple Computer tops the news when it comes to analyzing recent operating system usage market share numbers, but one market research firm says its data indicates overall Mac OS usage has suddenly hit a slight decline.
"Mac Intel OS usage is growing quickly, and currently has 0.62 percent usage market share, but overall Mac OS usage is slightly down," Net Applications wrote in a recent newsletter. "Back in December 2005 total Mac OS usage market share was 4.35 percent, but August 2006 numbers show total Mac OS market share down to 4.33 percent."
Net Applications speculates that while the slight dip may not seem to be a cause for concern to most observers, "the fact that Mac usage was steadily growing until this year's stagnation may be indicative of larger Apple problems."
Still, it's unclear how reliable the firm's market share figures are or how it tracks operating system usage.
In the same newsletter, the firm erroneously reported that Apple's iPod unit shipments hit an all time high at 12 million units in one quarter before stumbling.
"iPod sales peaked at over 12 million units for the 4th quarter of 2005, but have stumbled to 8.5 million and 8.1 million units the most recent two quarters," the firm wrote.
iPod sales actually peaked during Apple's first fiscal quarter of 2006, in which it sold over 14 million of the players.
"Mac Intel OS usage is growing quickly, and currently has 0.62 percent usage market share, but overall Mac OS usage is slightly down," Net Applications wrote in a recent newsletter. "Back in December 2005 total Mac OS usage market share was 4.35 percent, but August 2006 numbers show total Mac OS market share down to 4.33 percent."
Net Applications speculates that while the slight dip may not seem to be a cause for concern to most observers, "the fact that Mac usage was steadily growing until this year's stagnation may be indicative of larger Apple problems."
Still, it's unclear how reliable the firm's market share figures are or how it tracks operating system usage.
In the same newsletter, the firm erroneously reported that Apple's iPod unit shipments hit an all time high at 12 million units in one quarter before stumbling.
"iPod sales peaked at over 12 million units for the 4th quarter of 2005, but have stumbled to 8.5 million and 8.1 million units the most recent two quarters," the firm wrote.
iPod sales actually peaked during Apple's first fiscal quarter of 2006, in which it sold over 14 million of the players.
Comments
Analysts certainly eat shit, and regurgitate it.
In the same newsletter, the firm erroneously reported that Apple's iPod unit shipments hit an all time high at 12 million units in one quarter before stumbling.
"iPod sales peaked at over 12 million units for the 4th quarter of 2005, but have stumbled to 8.5 million and 8.1 million units the most recent two quarters," the firm wrote.
well, that pretty much nullifies this report's credibility...
I've been watching Net Applications a lot lately and I don't think their monitoring is unbiased.
It's actually quite difficult to know OS usage by looking at site logs...unless you monitor all sites on the internet...which is not the case...so...ya know...these numbers mean nothing.
Was this written by a high schooler?
Apple Computer tops the news when it comes to analyzing recent operating system usage market share numbers, but one market research firm says its data indicates overall Mac OS usage has suddenly hit a slight decline.
"Mac Intel OS usage is growing quickly, and currently has 0.62 percent usage market share, but overall Mac OS usage is slightly down," Net Applications wrote in a recent newsletter. "Back in December 2005 total Mac OS usage market share was 4.35 percent, but August 2006 numbers show total Mac OS market share down to 4.33 percent."
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[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
People should remember that absolute numbers of users can increase, while percentages can decrease. The number of computer users may be increasing, but let's face it - the emerging markets (e.g., China) are less likely to be Mac centric. Apple saw sales DECREASES even in established markets like Japan in the last quarter. And my guess is they'll see more declines, because PCs are relatively cheaper. Plus Apple's laptops aren't particularly attractive, even their low end, because they are MUCH HEAVIER than similarly priced PC laptops (5lbs vs. 2 or 3 lbs).
Laptop at an all time high...low market share...does not compute.
That is an excellent point.
Also, the article seems to repeat itself a bit...
[QUOTE]"While this slight dip may not seem to be a cause for concern to most observers, the fact that Mac usage was steadily growing until this year's stagnation may be indicative of larger Apple problems," the report adds.
Net Applications speculates that while the slight dip may not seem to be a cause for concern to most observers, "the fact that Mac usage was steadily growing until this year's stagnation may be indicative of larger Apple problems."
Is it just me or are those the same word? This seems to validate the Highschooler Author.
And; If it is true, Wouldn't it make sence that there are people waiting to purchase the next haul of Intel chips? I know I personally am waiting for my Merom Macbook Pro.
[Side note: Yay first post @ Apple Insider!]
Are there any business PhDs lurking in these forums? If so could someone please explain once again why market share seems to be THE indicator of success or failure for a company? BMW has a much lower market share than GM in terms of sales yet GM is in the toilet and BMW just keeps chugging along. Why is Apple considered a complete, total failure as a company because it doesn't have the market share of Dell? As a card carrying member of the Joe Public fraternity I just don't get it.
Very simple, if stock brokers can't make money off of the company, then the company is useless to them :P
Imagine if they studied 10 websites to formulate the study. If they include the NortonAntivirus support website and Microsoft.com, you can see immediately how it would skew the numbers to be 75% XP.
My guess is that the sites included in the study are Windows centric and not a very good indicator of market share.
I mean I could take 10 websites and use them to prove that Mac OS has a 90% marketshare. (OSX software download sites, Professional Photog sites, ect...)
So I say, publish the websites included in the study, and not make them pre-biased based on such things as Virus protection, Gamer sites, ect...
"While this slight dip may not seem to be a cause for concern to most observers, the fact that Mac usage was steadily growing until this year's stagnation may be indicative of larger Apple problems," the report adds.
Net Applications speculates that while the slight dip may not seem to be a cause for concern to most observers, "the fact that Mac usage was steadily growing until this year's stagnation may be indicative of larger Apple problems."
Plus Apple's laptops aren't particularly attractive, even their low end, because they are MUCH HEAVIER than similarly priced PC laptops (5lbs vs. 2 or 3 lbs).
This is completely untrue. Please find a Core Duo based laptop with 12-13" screen that weighs "2 or 3 lbs" and is available for $1000. I dare you.
Are there any business PhDs lurking in these forums? If so could someone please explain once again why market share seems to be THE indicator of success or failure for a company? BMW has a much lower market share than GM in terms of sales yet GM is in the toilet and BMW just keeps chugging along. Why is Apple considered a complete, total failure as a company because it doesn't have the market share of Dell? As a card carrying member of the Joe Public fraternity I just don't get it.
This is not a cut and dried issue. This company is makes money by providing information. They don't have access to actual figures so they do some simple testing to come up with a report that they can sell. Market share is easy to measure (as long as you don't question the accuracy.)
In a market as large and complex as the computer market one should really break out the different market segments and then look at the shares of different companies in those segments.
Market share is a useful number (if it is accurate), but it does not tell the whole story. As far as evaluating investing in a company, profitability and revenue growth are more important. If sales of Apple computers stalled out or fell that would be reason for concern.
what crap.