Comments on: Reports: Apple is No. 3 PC maker in U.S., No. 6 worldwide

By: Wayne, Seattle WA

Wayne, Seattle WA — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:50:43 +0000

"And unlike Microsoft, which charges users for different languages — considering them separate editions, any copy of OS X can operate under any language it supports. "

That is nonsense. When you install windows you choose your base language and with free downloads you can run multiple languages at the same time. My household uses multiple languages and we have never paid a dime to Microsoft for that support.

By: Bob, Syracuse NY

Bob, Syracuse NY — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:25:20 +0000

Tale of 4 PCs.

In the last 15 months I have purchased 4 new PCs, 1 Dell Desktop, 1 Dell Laptop, 1 HP Laptop and 1 17" IMAC. The IMAC was recommended for use for my daughter in a design program. The IMAC cost the same as the other 3 computers combined. 3 months after I bought it, apple announced they were discontinuing the 17" model and dropped the price $400. All of the software I buy for the Mac is at a premium versus the same Windows product. The MAC has been serviced twice, where as the other 3 PCs just keep on ticking. Don't wan't to beat up on the MAC, but I just don't get it. I am still waiting to feel the magic.

By: RK, Windsor, Ontario

RK, Windsor, Ontario — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:15:22 +0000

What are we comparing? Worldwide sales of PC has gone up by about 16% or 11 million units in 2Q08. Apple sold a total of 1.3 million units during the same time.

I love mac for their look and show off but they are not for everyone.

By: Tony - Boston, MA

Tony - Boston, MA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:12:15 +0000

Eric, Cincinnati:

"Apple is doing great in the U.S., but outside the U.S. they are not making the cut as much as all the other players."

HP and Dell's global market shares are way lower than their domestic market shares, so yes, Apple is making the cut as much as the other players.

"Plus they do not have their OS in many different languages if at all."

Plus you've never actually installed OS X before, since it prompts you at the beginning to select a language. Plus you've never actually used a Cocoa app, all which have automatic support for internationalization. And unlike Microsoft, which charges users for different languages — considering them separate editions, any copy of OS X can operate under any language it supports. I could go home and switch my Mac to Swahili or Traditional Chinese if I wanted to. Can't do that at work though on my Windoze box.

By: Tony - Boston, MA

Tony - Boston, MA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:55:18 +0000

It's good to see the Mac gain market share, especially since Apple isn't fully dedicated to their Macs anymore. But I don't really care all that much what other people use, Macs could have 1% market share and it wouldn't worry me. In less than 10 years probably more than half the applications you use daily will be web-based so it won't matter which computer you're using. In addition, the other half of your programs will be running on interpreted bytecode which will be OS-agnostic.

By the way, Packard Bell hasn't been sold in the US since I was in middle school. Not exactly something to brag about when you outsell them.

By: Tony St. Louis, MO

Tony St. Louis, MO — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:37:33 +0000

I made the move to Mac with the intel processor and the ability to run both operating systems on one computer. As a web developer this ideal for so many reasons more than making up for higher price of Mac. Add to that the Linux kernel of the Mac and I have three OS. Also the included programs for Mac are great.

By: P. Kumar, Rockville, Maryland

P. Kumar, Rockville, Maryland — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:23:30 +0000

I have been using a windows PC since my colleegiate days. I switched to Linux over 10 years ago and never looked back. At the moment I am waiting for my Macbook.

Windows in all its incarnations is simply the worst OS on the planet. Now I will never have to deal with it again. My Linux box and Macbook are all I need. I use Windows at work but it will never soil my home IT environment again.

Steve Jobs is a genuis, somewhat flawed and arrogant but then which genius isn't?

By: Gimble, Providence, RI

Gimble, Providence, RI — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:06:03 +0000

I am not to sure why there is a comparison drawn between Apple and Microsoft as businesses. First of all, Apple wouldn't even be in business anymore if it weren’t for Microsoft. This is an admission of Steve Jobs himself at the D5 Conference(http://d5.allthingsd.com/20070530/d5-gates-jobs-interview/ ). When coming back to Apple the first person Jobs called was Gates. Microsoft has a lot to do with OS X believe it or not… Microsoft and Apple have a strong partnership. Also, Windows is a very small part of Microsoft's business; smaller than Office. Keep in mind that Microsoft is a software company that creates software for manufacturing tools and robots and many other industries. PC software is just another industry for Microsoft. This being said, Apple is primarily a hardware company and probably the best one out there! Apple is limited to the PC market only.

These companies are two entirely different beasts and should never be compared.

Like many of you I am ready for Windows to be replaced by a superior OS, but being a programmer, OS X isn't the one.

By: Rory, Philly PA

Rory, Philly PA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:18:14 +0000

See I feel that all this bickering is kind of silly between Mac and PC users. Personally I prefer a PC just because I do not like the set up and user-interface of a Mac. But I can recognize that a Mac is a better machine for certain things, movies, pictures, and music, while a PC has more readily accesible programs for businesses and students and things of that sort. While the Mac is catching up in that department they still do lag behind to a degree. Also as a gamer, I can't really only use a Mac because the majority of games are not put out for Macs. Basically, I feel like we spend too much time arguing about this when a lot of it just comes down to simple personal needs and preferance. Because, in the long run, we're not all ever going to like the same thing and different people are always going to think that one is better than the other for their own reasons. Just acknowledge both, and move on.

By: Jonesy, Lexington, MA

Jonesy, Lexington, MA — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:00:13 +0000

Yes, the growth trend is positive. But remember these numbers are dominated by sales to corporations, including Intel-based servers, cash registers, kiosks, and airport terminals. So they will always understate the Mac's share of consumers (home use).

And these numbers only focus on new sales. Given that other studies have shown that Macs are kept in use much longer than PCs, the overall Mac user base is continuing to grow as well.