Apple's Net share slipped in February

Smithy is right (March 2 4:35). I don't know why Apple fans are getting so upset and presenting so many silly anecdotal explanations.

Honestly guys, it's just a Computer, since the Intel Mac everything is a PC. Don't be so religiously worried about your "converts", and instead enjoy the smug satisfaction of owning a boutique PC. You are an individual! Either that, or find a more practical way to reach your religious side.

Smithy is right (March 2 4:35). I don't know why Apple fans are getting so upset and presenting so many silly anecdotal explanations.

Honestly guys, it's just a Computer, since the Intel Mac everything is a PC. Don't be so religiously worried about your "converts", and instead enjoy the smug satisfaction of owning a boutique PC. You are an individual! Either that, or find a more practical way to reach your religious side.

Hahaha, taking a percentage drop in percentages, hilarious. I think ABSOLUTE percentage is more in order here. i.e. 0.22% increase for Windows, -0.22% increase in Mac. 0.05% increase in Linux. You very rarely use percentages of percentages, least of all in market share.

Hahaha, taking a percentage drop in percentages, hilarious. I think ABSOLUTE percentage is more in order here. i.e. 0.22% increase for Windows, -0.22% increase in Mac. 0.05% increase in Linux. You very rarely use percentages of percentages, least of all in market share.

Another contributing factor may have been that for the last 9 days of Feb, Time Warner Cable's network in southern California was under a massive DOS attack, so home users like me (more likely to use macs) had no internet access in the evenings for 9 days. That's a lot of macs unable to hits sites that get counted by Netapps.

Net share has fallen pretty minimally though. This is not likely to even effect AAPL. They have shown positive quarter results, new products and an possible greater demand for the iPhone. Investors are confident in APPL (http://www.predictwallstreet.com/forecast.aspx?symbol=AAPL) and sentiment has been bullish overall for the month. Apple is a good buy at this price.

Net share has fallen pretty minimally though. This is not likely to even effect AAPL. They have shown positive quarter results, new products and an possible greater demand for the iPhone. Investors are confident in APPL (http://www.predictwallstreet.com/forecast.aspx?symbol=AAPL) and sentiment has been bullish overall for the month. Apple is a good buy at this price.

The confusion over the percentage drop is that ex ped uses two different types of percentage without clarifying the switch. The 9.93% to 9.71% represents Apple's overall net share, while the 2.22% drop represents the change in Apple's individual net share from month to month. It's terribly confusing and should be rewritten rather than recalculated.

This article was designed so that a small irrelevant fluctuation seems like something worth of a post.

I wonder what the motivation was, but… making the artificial 2% loss the title and not giving a single word to the "amazing" 6% rise of the Linux share makes the motivation quite clear.

…and they call this journalism.

This article was designed so that a small irrelevant fluctuation seems like something worth of a post.

I wonder what the motivation was, but… making the artificial 2% loss the title and not giving a single word to the "amazing" 6% rise of the Linux share makes the motivation quite clear.

…and they call this journalism.

Reading these comments, its clear that the Apple fanatics simply don't know a thing about percentages. They can't add or multiply, are stupid, and still turn round and accuse the writer of not knowing maths, when its they that don't have a clue.

Secondly, it's clear that Net Applications "market share" figures are utter rubbish. Going by Net Applications, Apple Macs have a "market share" of 9.61%, yet in real life, when Dataquest or IDC measure personal computer's that are actually SOLD, Apple's worldwide market share only amounts to a miserable 2.9% share, mostly because Apple Mac market share in China/India is close to zero. And since China is now the second biggest peersonal computer market on the planet, which will soon overtake the US in personal computer sales, that drags down Apple's overall worldwide market share down to that 2.9% figure.

It probably also has something to do with the fact that hundreds of millions of PC's in China, India and other 3rd world countries are not even connected to the internet at all, and won't therefore whow up in any Net Applications "market share" figures.

These Net Applications figures are of little relevance or use, when it comes to actual personal computer sales or market share.

Reading these comments, its clear that the Apple fanatics simply don't know a thing about percentages. They can't add or multiply, are stupid, and still turn round and accuse the writer of not knowing maths, when its they that don't have a clue.

Secondly, it's clear that Net Applications "market share" figures are utter rubbish. Going by Net Applications, Apple Macs have a "market share" of 9.61%, yet in real life, when Dataquest or IDC measure personal computer's that are actually SOLD, Apple's worldwide market share only amounts to a miserable 2.9% share, mostly because Apple Mac market share in China/India is close to zero. And since China is now the second biggest peersonal computer market on the planet, which will soon overtake the US in personal computer sales, that drags down Apple's overall worldwide market share down to that 2.9% figure.

It probably also has something to do with the fact that hundreds of millions of PC's in China, India and other 3rd world countries are not even connected to the internet at all, and won't therefore whow up in any Net Applications "market share" figures.

These Net Applications figures are of little relevance or use, when it comes to actual personal computer sales or market share.

These minor percentage shifts are probably easily explained by shifts in people's behaviour over the time period. We all know that Apple commands a higher share of the domestic computer space than they do the business computer space. During January when more people are on holiday and at home, the percentage of people surfing from Macs should be expected to be higher for that month. In February however, when most are back at work, many people who have Macs at home have to surf during the day on their company's Windows machines.

Sometimes I really do get sick of the way the media reports on all things Apple. A small percentage change that falls within statistical error and suddenly the sky is falling for Apple!

2 points to make here:

1. In the first paragraph, the writer states that "Apple's Internet market share dropped a couple percent in February." Not true. It didn't even drop 1%. It dropped .32%, which is about a third of a percent. Author needs to get a better understanding of math and percentages.

2. Net Applications is a measurement of specific web sites, not the web in general. That is why you'll see bounces like this. It's not uncommon. The best thing you can do is to try to trend several months in a row. The measurement of one month to the next is insignificant.

Carry on.

ex ped: I'm not a statistician, but I'm sticking with my math. A drop from 9.93 to 9.71 is a difference of .32 percentage points, but a 2.2% drop.

2 points to make here:

1. In the first paragraph, the writer states that "Apple's Internet market share dropped a couple percent in February." Not true. It didn't even drop 1%. It dropped .32%, which is about a third of a percent. Author needs to get a better understanding of math and percentages.

2. Net Applications is a measurement of specific web sites, not the web in general. That is why you'll see bounces like this. It's not uncommon. The best thing you can do is to try to trend several months in a row. The measurement of one month to the next is insignificant.

Carry on.

ex ped: I'm not a statistician, but I'm sticking with my math. A drop from 9.93 to 9.71 is a difference of .32 percentage points, but a 2.2% drop.

Slipped? Not at all. The share was 8.26% in Oct 2008, 8.93% in Nov, 9.71% in Dec., 10.04% in Jan 2009, and finally 9.71% again in Feb. There is a solid shift from work usage to recreational usage over the holidays. Apple got a .7% bump in November, another .8% bump in December, and a further .3% bump in January. Then the holidays were over. Last year the drop from January 2008 to February 2008 was .11% (7.60% to 7.49%). This year it's .33%, probably more in part due to the 2 extra days over Christmas – New Years break in this January (Jan 1 was Thursday this year, Saturday last year). Really, 4 weeks is too short to measure these things. Try a 3 month moving average.

Slipped? Not at all. The share was 8.26% in Oct 2008, 8.93% in Nov, 9.71% in Dec., 10.04% in Jan 2009, and finally 9.71% again in Feb. There is a solid shift from work usage to recreational usage over the holidays. Apple got a .7% bump in November, another .8% bump in December, and a further .3% bump in January. Then the holidays were over. Last year the drop from January 2008 to February 2008 was .11% (7.60% to 7.49%). This year it's .33%, probably more in part due to the 2 extra days over Christmas – New Years break in this January (Jan 1 was Thursday this year, Saturday last year). Really, 4 weeks is too short to measure these things. Try a 3 month moving average.

So 9.93 – 9.71 = 2.22?

ex ped: (9.71-9.93/9.93*100)=-2.22%

This is easy to explain. 1) Netbooks (based on WinXP and Ubuntu-derivatives) are taking off. Who can resist a $400 computer that can do the same this as its $600-$1000 cousins. 2) Apple had announced the wrong products at the wrong time. As the economy is taking a dive, they announce high-end laptops. Both these factors play to the numbers.

This is easy to explain. 1) Netbooks (based on WinXP and Ubuntu-derivatives) are taking off. Who can resist a $400 computer that can do the same this as its $600-$1000 cousins. 2) Apple had announced the wrong products at the wrong time. As the economy is taking a dive, they announce high-end laptops. Both these factors play to the numbers.

Apple might be losing touch a bit. The Iphone is tremendous, yet needs a keyboard to get into the enterprise and they are missing out on the netbook opportunity: http://life2beta.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/is-apple-growing-out-of-touch/

Apple might be losing touch a bit. The Iphone is tremendous, yet needs a keyboard to get into the enterprise and they are missing out on the netbook opportunity: http://life2beta.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/is-apple-growing-out-of-touch/

Of course, it dropped. Netbooks are kicking the hell out of Apple. The less money people have to spend, they will certainly go out and buy some $350 toss-away computer rather than a well-built $999 unibody MacBook. I'd rather have the MacBook, but since I'm a die-hard Mac user that's my choice. But I think the average person wouldn't hesitate to buy the cheaper device. The longer the economy stays bad, the more net share Apple will lose.

I don't believe Apple should change its set strategy since they can easily wait out a year or so. However, analysts and investors alike are going to bitch and moan as to why Apple can't or won't build a netbook by next month. If Apple needs to build a netbook killer, they will and it would be a killer. Running Snow Leopard Mobile and being able to do anything the iPhone or iPod Touch can with downloadable apps, games, video and music, it would be an awesome machine indeed. An Apple tablet with a color screen and similar to the Kindle would rock the house.

Many users of the Macintosh browser, Safari, have its "user agent" set to "IE/Windows." In other words, Mac/Safari is reporting to Web sites that it is actually a Windows browser, so that Web sites written in Microsoft's FrontPage for Windows-only will allow access. Therefore, any calculation of "market share" based on browsing history is potentially wildly inaccurate and should be considered completely unreliable.

Many users of the Macintosh browser, Safari, have its "user agent" set to "IE/Windows." In other words, Mac/Safari is reporting to Web sites that it is actually a Windows browser, so that Web sites written in Microsoft's FrontPage for Windows-only will allow access. Therefore, any calculation of "market share" based on browsing history is potentially wildly inaccurate and should be considered completely unreliable.

I agree. I am I fact Reading this article now on my iPhone and I also check my mail on the iPhone instead of always reachi g for my MacBook pro in the other room.

This is incredible! Going from 9.93% to 9.71% is a drop of a little over 2 TENTHS of a percent. It's NOT a drop of "a couple percent".

And this is on a Fortune blog. Very interesting.

ex ped: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was taught you calculate a percentage drop like this: (9.71-9.93/9.93*100)=-2.22%

This is incredible! Going from 9.93% to 9.71% is a drop of a little over 2 TENTHS of a percent. It's NOT a drop of "a couple percent".

And this is on a Fortune blog. Very interesting.

ex ped: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was taught you calculate a percentage drop like this: (9.71-9.93/9.93*100)=-2.22%

Good lord. I can't believe being down 0.2% in a month is statistically significant. I think you've got your own "reality distortion field" going here.

ex ped: (9.71-9.93/9.93*100)=-2.22%. Sigh.

Good lord. I can't believe being down 0.2% in a month is statistically significant. I think you've got your own "reality distortion field" going here.

ex ped: (9.71-9.93/9.93*100)=-2.22%. Sigh.

Is it appropriate to assume mac sales are down but or net books running windows saw a surge and diluted the market?

Is this a case of reading too much into statistics and extrapolating them to meet your own agenda?

Is it appropriate to assume mac sales are down but or net books running windows saw a surge and diluted the market?

Is this a case of reading too much into statistics and extrapolating them to meet your own agenda?

I use my iPod Touch a lot more around the house & I don't go to my laptop whenever I have to look something up or check my email. WiFi works just great.

Sent from an iPod Touch

I use my iPod Touch a lot more around the house & I don't go to my laptop whenever I have to look something up or check my email. WiFi works just great.

Sent from an iPod Touch

Good to see your follow up comment. No doubt we can't bury our heads in the sand regarding the world's economic situation, but a more positive outlook from the" Media " can give people reasons to believe in themselves and push ahead to get things going again .

Good to see your follow up comment. No doubt we can't bury our heads in the sand regarding the world's economic situation, but a more positive outlook from the" Media " can give people reasons to believe in themselves and push ahead to get things going again .

Here's another possible reason for the drop in share – Mac users still have jobs while Windows users are being laid off left and right and have more time for surfing.

Here's another possible reason for the drop in share – Mac users still have jobs while Windows users are being laid off left and right and have more time for surfing.

Just a quick note to add to what "ND" and Marc said … I was all set to buy a laptop and then realized that all my computing needs are taken care of by having a desktop at home and an iPhone for my mobile computing. I can't imagine being all alone in that scenario.

Just a quick note to add to what "ND" and Marc said … I was all set to buy a laptop and then realized that all my computing needs are taken care of by having a desktop at home and an iPhone for my mobile computing. I can't imagine being all alone in that scenario.

I don't understand why the press is reporting these figures every time Net Application publishes a new press release. Monthly figures aren't really usefull imho, especially when compared to the preceding month. Oh look! It's a tad up/down from last month, ohmigosh! On Net Application's website it's possible to change the time frame, a quarterly or yearly report would be more revealing of the trends and changes.

i believe that you have to be careful with "market share" analysis. when the pie expands at a rapid pace it may seem like certain slices are shrinking, even if they are growing. just not as fast as the whole pie. the recent popularity of netbooks is probably a good reason for this disparity. Since gazillions of these little netbooks are flooding the market it makes sense that they are being used for "net" activity. so apple can sell MORE macs and still have a lower market share overall. BMW has zero percent market share! (in cars under $20,000). if market share were calculated just in areas where apple competes the result would likely be considerably different. Also, nothing goes straight UP. if mac market share goes up 3% this month then it would equate to a 1% overall jump from the beginning of the year. month-to-month blips and dips are normal.

now. the "commanding lead" by the iphone IS the real news!

i believe that you have to be careful with "market share" analysis. when the pie expands at a rapid pace it may seem like certain slices are shrinking, even if they are growing. just not as fast as the whole pie. the recent popularity of netbooks is probably a good reason for this disparity. Since gazillions of these little netbooks are flooding the market it makes sense that they are being used for "net" activity. so apple can sell MORE macs and still have a lower market share overall. BMW has zero percent market share! (in cars under $20,000). if market share were calculated just in areas where apple competes the result would likely be considerably different. Also, nothing goes straight UP. if mac market share goes up 3% this month then it would equate to a 1% overall jump from the beginning of the year. month-to-month blips and dips are normal.

now. the "commanding lead" by the iphone IS the real news!

I'm with "ND". I got an iPhone last month. Frequently instead of getting up togo get my laptop to browse, I just pull my phone out of my pocket. And browsing that I do while away from home decreases what I would do on my MacBook.

I'm with "ND". I got an iPhone last month. Frequently instead of getting up togo get my laptop to browse, I just pull my phone out of my pocket. And browsing that I do while away from home decreases what I would do on my MacBook.

The figures do not add up. Adding the "operating systems version" numbers gives 101%, whereas adding the "operating systems" numbers gives 100%. I will try to contact NetApplications and get a definitive response.

ex ped: Let me know if you learn anything. I've been going back and forth between the data sets all day.

Looking at the percent of total for the different platforms, and lacking long term information, this seems like statistical noise.

Having said that, I'm curious what the "other" category includes, and await further analysis. I'm sure all the "analysts" will be falling all over themselves cooking up explanations.

Looking at the percent of total for the different platforms, and lacking long term information, this seems like statistical noise.

Having said that, I'm curious what the "other" category includes, and await further analysis. I'm sure all the "analysts" will be falling all over themselves cooking up explanations.

This could just be current Mac owners using their iPhones more and laptops less for some types of browsing. I'm in that category.

On Net Application website the numbers are not those about Win 89.37%.

ex ped: The numbers on their website are all over the lot this morning. I'll publish a revision when they settle down.

On Net Application website the numbers are not those about Win 89.37%.

ex ped: The numbers on their website are all over the lot this morning. I'll publish a revision when they settle down.

You have to love the U.S. media these days, example with this headline on "Apple " instead of titling the article with the " commanding lead " of the iphone you use the current negative headline. No wonder the economy is such a mess with what should be a good publication as " Fortune " you are only happy when you can crap on a Company including someone as strong as Apple.

ex ped: See previous story with the "commanding lead" headline.