Macs don't matter much anymore...

[Blackride]

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Infrastructure/Macs-Dont-Matter-So-Much-to-Apple-Anymore-10-Reasons-Why-704414/

[Bryancd]

I agree with a lot of his points, but Mac business, especially laptop, is still a major revenue driver for Apple. Apple has re branded itself as a consumer electronics company as opposed to a computer manufacturer. There was a time when Mac's were upwards of 20% of the world wide PC share. Now they are about 5%. I don't agree that the desktop and laptop business don't matter, though, as Mac sales have been increasing year over year as more people purchase other Mac consumer products such as iPod, iPhone, iPad, ect., and become captured by the entire Mac OS/iTunes universe. Research has shown that many new Mac buyers and switchers from the PC platform do so because of their positive experience with another Apple product. Their powerful G5 desktop machines are still very much at the forefront in the graphic design/CGI industry and entertainment biz. The PowerBooks are also very popular and command a huge price premium over PC based laptops. Apple makes HUGE margins on their computers. Apple doesn't have any interest in returning to 25%+ of world wide PC share partly because the argument can be made the traditional PC model is dead thanks to portable computing. Apple sees that. But Apple would love to see their PC share growth continue to expand while that market is still viable as it is a great profit center.

[Rico]

I've heard these comments before.  I agree with much of what Bryan says.  I don't feel the traditional PC model is dead by any means.  I think until both power and heat can be solved in a better way, many users will still need a powerful, non-portable device to do the "heavy lifting" computing that many people need.  They are also cheaper and you get more bang for your buck.  And business likes that a lot.  In any case, I see Apple staying behind their Macs for a long time to come.

[billybob476]

In the home I definitely see a decline. The majority of my peer group do not have a desktop computer unless they are

a) PC gamers
b) audio/video content producers

Everyone else has laptops. If anything with regard to Apple I see this, laptop sales will continue to be strong (frankly they make a good notebook), PC sales my slow down over time. Obviously the bits they sell over iTunes have much higher profit margins they any hardware business. Apple is a company that doesn't change with the times, they cause the times to change. With that in mind I think they will continue to be successful into the future.

[Rico]

Yep, pretty much agree Joe.  For again, average "Joe or Mary consumer" even an iPad will be ok for them for the most part.  But I do know a fairly good percentage of even younger folks loving the power still of a top end desktop machine.  It's like in cars.  Many will buy a simple vehicle to get them from point A to B.  But still others will want a tricked out fast car with all the options.

P.S.  Oh, I'm in that second category!  ;)

[Bryancd]

Actually, Joe, the PowerBooks are one of their highwest margin products in terms of cost of fabrication vs. retail price.

[billybob476]

Interesting, I guess it works in high end hardware. I always figured that margins were quite thin in that field. I guess that applies more to the lower end market that companies like Dell would be serving. Kid of like cars. You make very little money on a low end car to build brand loyalty hoping a customer will return to buy a luxury SUV.

[Bryancd]

Yeah, big ticket items are usually higher margin, lower volume.

[billybob476]

Like MacBook Pros? :)

[Bryancd]

Like MacBook Pros? :)

Yep, that's what I mean, I'm so old school. :)

[KingIsaacLinksr]

This article seems biased against Notebooks in general more than just the Macs, but he is right.  iPhone 4 got how much excitement before it was even released?  Before Jobs even announced it?  And just how much do we care about Laptops these days?  Not all that much.  And I mean this in discussing Laptops in general.  

But that is why, imo, that Laptops are a dying technology.  (I'm talking both PC and MAC).  I'm fed up with them to be honest and it's why I'm getting a Pad-device of some kind next year.  Buggy, fragile, prone-to-viruses, heating issues, requires a lot of accessories and only more mobile than towers by a small margin, and the batteries can't keep up.  The life-expectancy is low, I mean, cmon, when the general industry tells you it will live about 3 years, that doesn't impress me much.  It's even worse when they recommend you keep a cooling pad with you at all times you plan on doing an intense session of....well, anything.  Why do I want to add to this already heavy brick?  

Desktops will never die so long as laptops can't keep up with gaming, keeping cool or being as powerful as desktops.  Oh and it's easier to build desktops than Laptops, so the geek in me won't let them die.  ;)  To upgrade my desktop requires a very minimal amount of work and $$.  To upgrade my laptop, you might as well cut my hand off.  It's just as painful.  ;)

And yes, I've had a similar rant in the iPad thread, forgive me, but my point still stands even here.  :)

King

[davekill]

In the 80's when the Macintosh first came out, Steve Jobs said that he intended to make computers as easy to use as toasters - just another appliance.

Like you are saying, this new technology revolution has to diversify - the day of the $10K desktop is over.
(Or in my case it was the wicked fast Mac II FX).

[Feathers]

...as easy to use as toasters

Apple makes Cylons???