Comments on: Survey: Mac OS hit record 7.3% share in December; iPhone up 33%

By: Jpnh Troy, NY

Jpnh Troy, NY — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:41:12 +0000

"With the continuing trend, if Apple launched MAC OS on the open market they would probably take 15-20% market share from Microsoft within months."

I highly doubt Apple will make Mac OS open (officially) in the near future — i think they run the risk of hurting their own PC business, i.e. people who want to use Mac OS but don't want an Apple PC will be lost Apple PC sale. Of course, the way things are now, I don't expect Mac OS to gain significantly more market share unless Apple PC's market share goes up. They are dependent on each other. (Anyway, if /my/ operating system and computer was owned by 1 in every 18 consumers, I wouldn't be complaining about a lack of business!)

But that said, I agree that Mac OS and Apple's PCs are pretty sweet — when I get out of RPI, I'll be saving money for computer music equipment, including a shiny new mac with the best music synthesis software out for it.

By: Matt, Detroit, MI

Matt, Detroit, MI — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:21:35 +0000

I have used Apples for the past 5 years and I couldn't be more satisfied. The reliability of the machines is a real selling point. I have only had to get my Powerbook G4 fixed once and that was due to a bad hard drive (which Apple replaced without any questions). But take my hp Desktop that my fiance purchased in Feb. of 2007. The thing has grabbed onto 3 bad viruses forcing us to reformat it three times in 12 MONTHS!!! My laptop is the best and most reliable computer I have ever used. I would never go back to a Windows based computer and my fiance has vowed never to again.

Bottom line…. If you want a computer that will perform and won't let you down, get a Mac.

If you want something that will give you grief and trouble your entire computer life, stick with PCs. I'm sure you'll enjoy reformating and losing all your data every 3 months.

By: ludwig

ludwig — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:48:46 +0000

I think Linux is much higher then what is showing really. Think of it. How many people buy a package then reformat it to linux? Packages only sell with windows really.

Personaly I won't use windows other then gaming. Linux is my main OS. Linux for me does more then everything that windows does for me.

By: Doug Atlanta Ga.

Doug Atlanta Ga. — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:07:01 +0000

Interesting but pointless. I use OSX as my preferred platform. I also have windows 2000 and XP platoforms, and linux systems. I prefer OSX for most things as it is UNIX based and runs all things unix and has a great user interface. I use linux because I have alot of older computers that work great with linux and I don't have to buy new hardware. I use window just because I have to because Microsoft has done some interesting things with exchange server and outlook as well as some web site require IE. That really sucks but what is one to do. The point od this is that you use what you need to get the job done. A tool is a tool. In the end we use them to make money otherwisw we would not use them at all.

By: Dave. Victoria. BC.

Dave. Victoria. BC. — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:08:05 +0000

Msft has always produced inferior products to Apple. Look at the top of the line Msft music player the Zune vs the top of the line Apple the ipod Touch. With millions to throw around and with the ipod to copy from all Msft came come up is a (so yesterday) Zune! Zune is a Msft money loser and even an willingness to 'dump' the Zune at below cost, ipod sales still trash them, on Amazon's bestseller there are usually 6-7 ipods models before the Zune (even with heavy zune discounts).

Windows as always lagged OsX and now with Leopard the gap is even wider. Msft only gained market share years ago because PCs were LOWER in PRICE but with intel macs, the PC price advantage is gone – compare similarly configured machines now.

And with the ability to run Windows on Intel macs for those who absolutely have to why buy a Windows only PC? Mac sales are just going to take off. Schools and colleges for example are already just buying macs to run both Os.

Appl 12 month share gain is : 130% vs Msft 19.5% and Msft had a good year in 2007. 5 year results are even more striking in Appl's favor.

Simply the last few years if you had invested in Appl you would have made a LOT more money and doubtlessly the next few years as well.

By: RON, VALLEY CENTER. CA.

RON, VALLEY CENTER. CA. — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:39:33 +0000

Macs are probably over 20% of consumer computers. The Windows figures always have millions point of purchase machines etc.

By: Nameless, Charlotte NC

Nameless, Charlotte NC — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:31:06 +0000

Do Apple & Microsoft have good products? Both Yes. Is either perfect? No. Will one obliviate the other? No. People buy Apple stock because there is nothing else exciting to buy right now.

Apple stock will fall when people get over the excitement factor (just look at Starbucks tanking right now). Keep riding while you can, but when it falls, it will be harsh.

FYI: My $4000 1996 PowerMac has been a doorstop since 2000. My $1500 1996 PC is slow but running Win XP, IE 7 and Win Media Player 11. Longevity is what keeps Windows alive; not beauty.

By: Nodack, Phx. AZ

Nodack, Phx. AZ — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:24:40 +0000

"Apple stock will be buried in 2008"

Dude, you couldn't be any more wrong. The only thing that will bring the stock down in price in 2008 would be a stock split.

By: Mike, San Antonio, TX

Mike, San Antonio, TX — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:48:00 +0000

This is not surprising. I was expecting a steady decline in market share from microsoft. With the continuing trend, if Apple launched MAC OS on the open market they would probably take 15-20% market share from Microsoft within months. People were expecting more with Vista from the worlds largest software company after 6 years in production. Personally, I was very disappointed. So far, more people are looking at Apple as a viable if not superior alternative to a PC box.

I wouldn't count Microsoft out, though. They managed to make a rather competitive MP3 player to compete with the ipod. That's the same way Microsoft blew a hole in Sony with the X-box. Apple is gradually losing market share in this category as competition grows, so it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next year.

Right now, Apple is perfectly positioned to launch a torpedo in Windows Vista.

By: Tom, Fairbanks, AK

Tom, Fairbanks, AK — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:17:29 +0000

Josh, I'm sure you'll never be back to read this, but Apple's market share (at least, if Net Applications' numbers aren't majorly skewed) is at an all time high. iPod sales are up 17% year over year and the only reason anyone bought a Zune for Christmas is that the cheap model was essentially at fire sale prices. Everyone I've talked to who has ever used an iPhone says it is the single best piece of technology they have EVER experienced, even those who have used Windows their whole lives. Speaking of Windows, the vast majority of users are only upgrading to Vista when they are forced to by outside forces such as buying a new computer.

Taking all of this into consideration, I fail to see the justification for your claim that Apple's stock will be "buried" in 2008.

In the interest of full disclosure, I use Macs, own two iPods, and also own Apple stock. I've been following the stock since July of 2000, and nothing in what I'm seeing right now tells me that I have anything to worry about as a shareholder.