How Apple Can Win The PC Battle
According to
Apple Insider, just a year ago Apple's share of the computer market was close to 2%. Now MacWorld
and CNet are reporting that
- according to NDP research - Apple's Desktops have crossed 10% and the MacBooks now
closing on 15% of the laptop market. This puts MacBooks in 4th place behind HP, Toshiba
and Gateway. The figures are likely to increase in the 3rd quarter, which is
traditionally strong for Apple, because of the back-to-school sales.
The above stats are backed up by my own experiences. When I walked into the BestBuy store recently, something was very different. It took me a second to realize that among the usual scenery, I was also looking at a big section featuring Macs. So Apple is back with a vengeance and has re-ignited the PC war. Despite dropping the word computer from its name, Apple still desperately wants to win the PC market.
But why? Surely Steve Job's spite and ego play a role, but more importantly, desktops and laptops still hold the lion's share of profitability in the computing industry. The computer is becoming, if it has not already become, the personal media center. Laptops are literally everywhere and it is likely to remain the same way for at least a decade. So Apple is fighting as hard as it can to fix its mistake of the past - letting Redmond win the personal computing market.
The Wonderful World of Apple Computers
At a glance Apple has got it all - a better product, die hard fans, top-notch marketing, funny commercials and an amazing set of companion products. Since Steve Jobs returned in 1997, the company has been on an impeccable comeback run. The stock charts below clearly reflect the fact that Apple executes quickly and correctly, while Microsoft has been having problems lately.
Apple's marketing machine is crisp, elegant and always to the point. The latest installment of ads is a direct attack on the PC and a call to action. These commercials make us laugh and cry, because for so many years we have put up with computers that do not work, come with things we do not need and constantly break.
Beautiful Hardware and Software
Let's step back and analyze why Apple's market share is increasing. Apple's endless passion for speed, elegance and simplicity runs through their entire product line. In the last few years, Apple has created a line of iMacs with gorgeous displays. They also basically made the hard drive fit into the display, released the Mac mini, ported to Intel - just to mention some of the Mac changes (for the complete history of the evolution of Mac products, check this document).
Perhaps more impressive than Apple's hardware is the company's software. From the operating system to individual applications, Mac's software wins fans with its stunning graphical experience and nature-like beauty. Apple continuously reinvents interfaces and brings in new, better metaphors for interacting with computers. In the latest version of its OS, Leopard, Apple is bringing in its innovative cover flow (first released in iTunes) as a new navigation paradigm for files. The 3D stacks of Vista simply pale in comparison, both visually and functionally.
Enter The iPod
And finally, we can not possibly omit mentioning iPod. This groundbreaking device has put Apple back on the map. Now the solid market leader in the personal music player space, Apple did not even blink when the iPod rival Zune showed up to the party - maybe because it was about five years too late. But even iPod does not seem to be able to help the Mac displace PC. So just how much of the market has Apple win over the past few years?
Why Is It So Hard For Apple To Win?
Despite the fact that Macs are on the rise and iPods rule already, one can't help but wonder: why are people still using PCs if Macs are so great? One reason is of course cost - Apple computers are usually more expensive than PCs. But another reason is Inertia. When it comes to switch, the cost is not just measured in dollars - it is measured in time and brain power. Of course Macs are simple, but they are different. And anything different, particularly when it comes to technology, does not get learned instantly. It requires effort, willingness and time.
In addition to cost and learning barriers, there are big corporate barriers as well. Obviously, the cost of switching for large companies is huge, as they need to port a large array of software ranging from administrative scripts to in-house written systems. In short, a large corporate switch is not going to happen any time soon. And this has an impact on the personal market as well.
A lot of consumers do not want to deal with two separate systems - one at work and another one at home. There is still a lot of software and formats that are either not compatible, or do not work the same way. Even seemingly minor differences, like keyboard layout and a different mouse, matter when it comes to switching.
And then there are yet more subtle things when it comes to power users. For example, Andy Sack decided that however simple Apple's software was, it still required too much of his time to learn it. And yet more troubling from Apple's point of view is this post from Brad Feld, who, after a 30-day head-to-head trial, decided that Windows Vista and Microsoft Office delivered better performance and smoother experience. Apple can not afford to lose match-ups like this, so they better look closely as to went wrong there.
What Else Can Apple Do To Win?
Lower the prices. Cheaper goods beat more expensive when it comes to mass market. The problem is that this has never been one of Apple's tactics. Because Apple's products are so good, the company stuck with the motto that people should pay for what they get. Still, we can't help but wonder if a few hundred bucks can make a difference here.
Make support cheap (or free!) It is important that people who do switch to the Mac do not switch back. Apple's products and marketing are amazing, but support is still expensive. Again, Apple's products are very simple, but there is always a learning curve. Helping users through the first week or so, to make that transition smooth, is critical. The problem is that support is not a trivial matter. You need to have qualified technicians and the whole infrastructure to do it right. Doing support is not cheap and perhaps Apple just can not make it any cheaper.
Widen the Network
In the beginning of the article we mentioned that BestBuy now carries Macs. Looking at the map below, we can tell that Apple has room to grow in the US:
Perhaps making more deals with existing stores is the way to go. What nationwide electronics store would not want to carry Macs? Obviously with the right margin, they all would. But here again lies a problem for Apple, because for years the company has been creating end-to-end holistic shopping experiences, which is carefully scripted all the way back from Cupertino. Alas, this has to give if Apple is to resell the Macs through other stores. It worked well for iPods, perhaps it will be fine for Macs as well.
Beyond geography, it seems that there are still opportunities to target other verticals. For example, Macs would be perfect for the older, retiring population - i.e. baby boomers. They are no longer tied to the corporate PC world and free to choose a simpler computer. A campaign that targets them specifically could be interesting. And then possibly there is a play for Apple in the corporate world. Just not in America, but China and India are experiencing enormous growth. So perhaps Apple can convince businesses in those countries that with its Unix core, support for Microsoft Office and overall unmatched user experience, that it should be the corporate choice.
Conclusion
Steve Jobs is a patient, determined and altogether brilliant business man. He is responsible for computer, music and movie revolutions. So could it be that his long term pain of losing the first war to Microsoft can be healed? It is hard to say for sure, but it seems that it is not impossible at this point. Given Apple's spectacular growth in other areas and the recent rise in the computer market share, Apple just might win this time. If this happens, many would agree that the victory would be well deserved.
What do you think are Apple's chances of pulling it off? Have you switched to a Mac? If not, what is stopping you? Please share your thoughts on this subject with us.
Share
Comments
Subscribe to comments for this post OR Subscribe to comments for all ReadWriteWeb posts
I don't think Jobs gives a rip about Microsoft or the past. He's been around long enough to know that IBM was synonymous with business computing and was displaced, slowly dying out and Microsoft is in the same boat today, in a slow death spiral, locked too tightly to legacy business products, legacy IT people/products, and can't keep up with competitors. Everything is changing and he's catching that new wave. The younger generation is not going to be reliant, or use, Office, Powerpoint, etc. They will be using all new stuff, interacting and creating in whole new ways and the enterprise will have to change, just like they did from mainframes to desktops. None of this happens overnight, the desktop switch took years. Jobs is marching to this new vision, not worrying about the old. And he is being extremely profitable in his march forward. He doesn't need to take market share by storm, just ride the wave that will turn into a sunami at some point in the future.
I'd love to switch to Mac but I daren't, because I think I'd confuse myself. I work as a business analyst in exclusively PC-based environments. Having to switch mental maps between home and work would, I fear, cause me to start making errors at work about how things are done and what can be done. I realise that my fear is likely rubbish as plenty of people use both without meltdown. I might get brave when I have to upgrade from XP because for the expense of getting a new laptop and a useful version of Vista I can probably buy a lovely Mac instead.
Apple should release a mini tower at a the $699 price point, this would allow a more visible transition path for a customer coming from a PC tower, AND pave a clear road for corporate implementation. It nails two points! Think iMac Specs withouth the monitor(to reduce costs) but still respectable processing power and expandability, in some sort of deliciously deisgned tower enclosure.
Working as a teacher down in Brazil, I can't switch because there is almost no support. Everything MAC that fails needs to either go to Sao Paulo on the coast or back to the states for repair.
Either way I would be without a computer for weeks at a time.
Well, I live in Brazil to and besides the support problem, macs here are too expansive. With the price of one Mac we can buy almost 3 pc`s. But if I could afford... I would definitely make the switch!
A really good coverage and analysis, alex! I use both systems, so I'm having a grear time when people are fighting their apple vs pc battles...
I first sensed the rise of the mac in NY last year, when I saw a mac almost on every starbucks table (despite the figure of 2% then).
I just want to add two points to your thoughts:
1) the fact that apple looks so good is also because the others just look really really bad. This makes apple stand out even more. Many companies have done a sloppy job over years, and now they have a tough time to explain theirselves. there is absolutely nothing bad about apple, even if hyped, because this will push the market into the right direction.
2) apple is polarizing more and more, (in a time where people get polarized about almost everything - from paris hilton, over webframeworks to computers), and somehow I'm looking forward for the day, where another small company will arise, and put the mac guy into the same light like he did with the pc guy :) After all, apple is also a lifestyle, and we all know how fast it can change ;)
I'm actually in the process of buying my next computer and I am having a terrible time deciding: mac or PC.
The decision is very challenging and I have no idea what to to do.
hey alex, I am pretty sure the figures you mentionned are for the US only. Worldwide, it's more like 4 or 5% market share.
also, i think because of steve jobs, apple computers will always stay as a niche market (for developers, creatives, families and students).
I used to dread reading another mac/but comparasion but I just bought a macbook from bestbuy a few weeks ago and I'm in love with it.. so forgive me :D
I tried making xp/vista better with docks and such but it was forced. I've also tried ubuntu with kiba-dock and other unneccesary eye candy but it lacked essential software support (photoshop, dreamweaver)
For any web developer/designer/programmer work an extra month save the money and make the move to mac. The elegance and simplicity of not only its OS but its software (textmate, transit, xtorrent, newsfire etc) will make your sound like a fanboy more than I am at the moment.
btw the learning curve was not an issue
Do we really want Mac to overtake the big Microsoft Corp. ???
I myself is both a Mac user and shareholder, I LUV MACS!!!!
But I also love the underdog position that Apple is in, I feel like one of the few lucky ones that actually has discovered Apple. ;)
Three words: right mouse button.
@8 can you please point us to some sources on this?
Thanks!
Alex
I'm thining of converting to a Mac later this year.
I think the problem is Apple is preaching to the converted with their advertising.
Here's what I want in a PC:
Internet, Email, Excel, Word.
easy to use for Photos and Ipods.
easy to write to DVD's and CD's
Fast to startup, Quiet, and doesn't take up too much space
Less hassles with spyware and antivirus
I'd say I'm not alone in just wanting a PC with less hassles. I don't really care about how flash the OS looks.
I just want it to be faster and less buggy than Windows XP
I made the switch about 8 months ago, and have never looked back. After using a Mac, it honestly baffles me how people can still use a PC. Everytime I use a PC now I feel like I'm driving a boat!
That said... my biggest worry is compatibility issues with MS Office. I think Microsoft is discontinuing support for VBS for Macs, and as Om Malik said, we're waiting an update for Office 2008:
http://gigaom.com/2007/07/15/where-is-mac-office-2008/
Hey #11-Andy...I'm right clicking now...and I'm clicking the third button (scroll ball) now...and I'm squeezing to get a different action now...and I'm now scrolling vertical, horizontal and diagonally...Where ya been, living in a cave?...you must get out more.
>>If not, what is stopping you?
Hum, many things:
- Web 2.0 is built on Open Source (1)
- Willing to buy a high-end, free-software-only laptop (2)
- Freedom (3)
- so cool with the free software community...
Ref:
1) http://www.venturecake.com/web-20-is-built-on-open-source/
2) http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/131
(3) http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
Leo Laporte reported on "The Lab" on G4 Tech TV that when you equip a Windows PC (he used Dell as an example) comparably to what you get with a Mac (comparable graphics card, hard drive, RAM, etc) you pay about the same price as you would for a Mac.
The reason people say that Mac's are more expensive is that they don't offer $500 bargain box computers.
We started off with the ipod shuffle, then itunes, then a nano, and because of the incredible user experience with these products, we eventually bought a powerbook.
While there was a learning curve to convert, it was helped that my 7 year old daughter knew how to use it along with knowing all the shortcut keys from school. She can navigate Garageband with the Midi interface to compose her own music and uses iMovie to make movies. My 7 year old also has a Windows notebook, where every program requires constant hand-holding. So using a Mac has ultimatly been easier and I am not sure why people would have trouble making a switch aside from corporate app support and pricing.
P.S. My favorite part of the Mac is actually being able to ssh into it :)
Easy.. Price Its too expensive, If you know enough about computers you can run an XP machine without it crashing.
So for now i'll stick with XP or perhaps even get both.
On the assumption that Apple folk and perhaps Jobs himself might read this blog, I'm going to give Apple a billion dollar idea. If they want to repay me in the future, well that'd be swell.
Here it is: People in the "real world" who aren't techies and don't read the A-List blogs don't know, for the most part, that:
1) Macs can run Windows through Parallels, Bootcamp, etc and thus Windows programs
2) Macs rarely crash
3) Macs don't get viruses
It may be hard for readers of this blog to believe that people don't know these things but they don't. Take it from me - I come with news from the outside world.
Apple's recent commercials have obviously been superb. But they just need one more to really spark a revolution: the commercial that plainly tells the rest of the world - sick of virus software and crashes with unintelligible error message - that Mac users don't have to deal with these annoyances and that all their Windows software can still be used on a Mac. One commercial. That's it.
This is a 30-second commercial that can change the balance of power in the consumer arena (and business would likely eventually follow).
You can thank me later, Steve.
Mac's software is hardly beautiful! The only thing mac has going for it is the hardware.
Alex, I agree with #8 - outside USA, the usage level of Mac is still very very low.
My question is; who wants Apple to win this battle? Apple is much more monopolistic than any other company. Therefore is much less cool for me. Their ads discriminate some people. I think these questions will arise whenever Apple takes a little more shares in the market.
Have to agree that mac software is not beautiful. And since I'm the 0.1% that has a mac that crashes, I know the hardware isn't faultless either - and those Apple Store 'Geniuses' didn't impress me.
However I couldn't live without Skitch (http://plasq.com/skitch) so until that goes PC I'm staying.
Apple does do better in the 'design' area of the market. . .I'll give them that.
_________________
http://www.freeopenmoko.com
I'll echo the comments that their market share is likely far less than 10-15%. W3Counter's Global Stats from usage of about 5,000 websites shows Mac at 3.7%. That's with a tech slant due to a high number of blogs being tracked, as evidenced by the 25% Firefox usage. I think 3% worldwide might actually be pushing it.
Privately almost the only thing holding me back from buying a mac is the lack of games for the machine. (And yes, I know that that is not really that much of an issue any more with the arrival of bootcamp and intel cpus.)
Professionally it's the lack of love and support from my IT-department that's the issue. And there's also problems with working in a small professional field (small in Sweden that is :) )like libraries then you want the standardised software available for a different OS.
I bought a mac for home a couple of years, to decide whether to switch completely. I have been using PCs since about 15 years. For me working on a Mac was slow... The one-button mouse really slowed me down. Shouldn't be delivered for switchers. Learning new key combinations was tiring, my head is already full of Windows and *nix combos. For me the hassle wasn't worth the eye candy.
On a technical side I thought Apple didn't update th packes often enough. The Apache and mySQL delivered with the system were old. Installing your own meant breaking the balance. This should be more seamless. But thats a tech point of view.
why I have stuck with the PC
- you can take them apart. upgrade bits. build your own.
- I am a programmer and the common dev environments are pc based
- everyone else has a pc
- for the games!
why I might switch
- more programming is now web-related, and thus is not tied to the PC.
- the games consoles seem to be overtaking the PC, especially now they are online, so I might not need my PC for gaming.
- those big screen all-in-one macs are very nice.
Great Article, Thanks, Dugg.
http://www.ebooksbay.org
I don't think Apple want to "win" in the sense you describe. Do Mercedes try and win by having monopolistic control over cars? No, they charge realistic prices for high-quality products.
And that's what Apple will continue to do, rather than artificially lowering prices to create a new monopoly.
I used a Mac at work and have a PC at home. The Mac is undoubtedly a better machine, looks better, works better etc but there are issues still. Non-native (read Windows friendly) applications and software suites slow the machine down, there aren't as many games (@ 26) and yes they are quite expensive. In India (that's where I'm from) Apple releases its latest upgrades (hardware) much later, for eg the Macbooks here still have 512 MB RAM config. In addition Apple has yet to go Green unlike a few others (Dell etc) who already have promised elimination of environmentally harmful components from their systems.
All said, I'm saving up to buy a Mac and will so as soon as they become environmentally conscious and launch Leopard in India.
I would get a mac if they knew how to run .exe's!
I've used Macs at work but then I come home to my homebuilt PC and it's just way more comfortable to me. It cost me half as much to build as the boss spent on his iMac and yet the processor is faster, it's got 2x the RAM, and I can customize it to look and behave however I want. It runs Ubuntu and Windows flawlessly and only cost me $700 to build. I understand I'm not Joe Mass Computer User but at least for me, I'm not willing to pay extra for a less flexible platform.
That said, they make great machines and I respect what they've done with OSX. They've brought unix/linux to the masses. They just make them pay out the ass for it. Also their marketing is annoying. Too smug and not really accurate. They equate personal computers with windows whereas nowadays just about any new windows, osx, or linux pc is running on x86 hardware with essentially the same architecture. It's all the OS and the case. For me that's not worth another $700.
It is feasible to switch in US but in Latinamerica is pretty difficult due to bad service, high prices and few options. For people like coming from US and going to countries like Mexico or Brazil, which in US are mac users, are forced to switch back to PC because this situation.
In a global world, Apple should think in a global strategy.
Actually, apple acquired the cover flow stuff from Steel Skies. But yeah, you really have to go out and look to the the convergence of all that is Apple. Really glad I went to WWDC!
I would not get a mac, because it's simple and made for dummies! Everything is TOO lame-user friendly! This sucks and i hate it! Besides there is no enough good software for OSX, tell me about good CAD applications!...
I am a web developer, the company that I work for is an all Mac shop, with the exception of my trusty PC running XP. I can testify that in the two years I have been with this company, we have spent thousands on IT for the Macs, and not a dime on my PC (actually I installed a gigabit ethernet card that cost $40). At home I have a G4 laptop and a Vista box. I like switching between the two, the Mac is fun machine, but it can't compare with XP or Vista when it comes to productivity, compatibility and stability. The fact of the matter is, if you know how to use a computer and you are not going to websites that you probably shouldn't be on in the first place (porn) than you will have no problem what so ever with the PC.
The could reduce the cost of Apple products (software, hardware) ten fold and that would attract a lot of people. Apple products (software especially) are just too expensive, and it's so damn hard to find free alternatives - I mean I don't want to pay for every piece of software on my computer. When I want an extractor, I don't want to have to buy something that comes with 70 other features that I don't care for - just give me something simple, small and free. You can upsell me on something else - this is mostly to developers.
Have "official" tutorial courses that are taught for free in a few major cities so as to get people used to the way it looks and feels (you have to undo years of people using Windows and being comfortable with only that).
Last step is for Linux to quickly jump in and take over, let Apple and Microsoft battle it out. Apple can spend some money getting people to stop using Windows, and then Linux can profit from this by jumping in at the last second and promoting its products instead..hehe. Go Open Source!
I think you pointed out some GREAT feautures Macs have. But then you turned around and want Apple to produce cheaper Macs. Like it or not, cheaper will mean less quality. And that few hundred bucks is where the quality will go. Why is emachine and the cheap-PC likes so cheap... it's not because they are manufacture better! It's because they pick the cheapest parts they can string together and call it a computer. Today's mac comes with the top of the line consumer processors. Not your run of the mill rams, and even a crystal clear webcam. I rather Apple stay true to produce quality products then give me another dell-crapo machine.
P.S. AppleCare is excellent support! and Apple Store offers personal training!
Funny thing is, 5 years ago, PC people LOVED to tell Mac users that Macs were just toys and that PCs are needed to get real work done. Now, it seems the most prevelant argument for PCs is that there are more games for them.
If you want to work, but a Mac. If you want games, but a console system. From what I can tell, work and play cover 100% of my time, none of which is spent messing with crappy hardware or software.
Macs are just so expensive and have less hardware support (than Windows).
They are ideal for people who have lots of cash and want a great slick looking OS.
If you have the time, you can create an equally great and slick looking system with Linux running on more modest hardware (read , for much less money)
I'm a PC owner who lives in a house with two Mac owners, and I end up using their systems a fair bit (for transferring stuff around and that), and I can say that most of the supposed advantages of Macs are myths.
They crash. Often. They're hilariously uncompatable with each other and PCs (my PC doesn't exclude their Macs). The amount of software available for them is poor, and if you ever want to play a game, don't bother.
They come across as fashion items more than computers to me. They are all style over substance, and I still can't believe you have to buy a new one if you want to upgrade it.
I hate Macs now. But only because people buy the hype. And one more comment about them never crashing is going to make me violent - my PC hasn't done that all year! Those Macs do it when two things are done at once. Or if a programme has been installed for a long time, in one case... *coughVLC*.
If I had the bucks, I would certainly switch to Mac full on. I support Windows PCs all day at work, and go home to Mandriva and a really old OSX tower. Since the switch to Intel, I am surprised Apple hasn't sunk more effort in to developing WINE for OSX. This would entice lots of users to the Mac who just can't find certain apps, or don't want to switch apps. Hell, I could probably start converting people in my office if they could get that running top notch and include it. Then I wouldn't have to fret over when Dell stops offering XP, and I have to learn Vista.
I never used a MAC or have a desire to start.
There are no good games for it and most of my business software is PC only. I heard MACs are good for graphics and music editing but you can do that on PCs too so there's no advantage there.
My PC also runs Linux and never crashes. Sometimes I some programs are not responsive and I just close them using the task bar.
I don't think I'll ever switch to a MAC. I have no need to.
GAMES GAMES GAMES GAMES
Ever since I started computers, the history intrigued me. Why were my brothers continuously telling me windows sucked? When I began slightly more pressing tasks, the likes of macromedia, adobe and even software development I realized why. Its the simplicity, its beautiful.
The most amazing thing is that with macs, there really is a loyalty. Someone developing software for a mac, even if it is simple free-ware software, make it beautiful, and follow the guidelines that make it easy to use.
I hope however that mac doesn't gain a significant increase in share - I like being the minority. Having the ability to say "100 000 viruses, no way" is cool. Without the comparison, mac wouldn't be great, it would be standard. Shudder, what a word.
I think Mr Jobs would think similar to this. If you have read biographies, watched movies (pirates of silicon valley), and read the books related to the history of computers, you will note that it has never really been about the money for steve. Its always been about "we have some really great stuff for you this afternoon". Ie, the revolution.
Good article, you have definitely hit the nail there.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other?
Historically there have been significant differences between Mac and Wintel workstation hardware. Not so much these days. Intel multi-core CPU? Check. SATA drives? Check. DDR2 RAM? check (actually, current Mac Pros run 667 MHz, I'm currently running 1066MHz in my PC rig).
Support of multiple PCIx ATI/Nvidia GPU's? Check (ok, Apple has NV 7300 and I have SLI'd 8800's).
Color management? check. Support for high end video/audio editing systems? check.
My wife uses a Macbook. I've had one Mac or another since my 170 laptop. My main rig is and has been a PC, though. Why? Field servicable by me. Field upgradable/customizable by me. Lack of games for Mac.
There are a few things I don't like about Macs: The lack of a dedicated "right click," the lack of a lot of software (besides Apple run software, and the newest office formats are not well recieved), every button in every window and command is opposite of what I am used to, my work does not support Macs.
I am not going to deny that Apple has better video editing and a sleeker-looking design but their technology is not cutting edge. For hardcore gamers/video editors/music creators Macs simply cannot cut it. Sure you can get blu-ray drives, 2 GB memory and so on in a Mac but it'll cost you at least $1200 more than a comparible windoms system (which you can change/add linux or ubuntu to easily).
Lastly it has been pointed out that Macs have less "bloat" on buying and few security threats. Well guess what? Even though Windows has a lot of security threats something like 80% of the world uses it so there are dozens of companies fixing those threats as they arrive, that means almost instant solutions. Apple has very few security companies aimed at it. Besides, some of those bloat items are useful or even handy until you find and install a better program. Plus it only takes about 10 minutes to uninstall all those programs, no big deal.
I see two flaws with your logic, one regarding retail presence in large, national chains, and another in targeting the Chinese/Indian corporate markets.
I think the problem with the large chains is they forfeit those traits that sets Apple apart from the others. Apple has tried time-and-again with chains like Best Buy, Circuit City, often even going as far as having dedicated Mac stores-within-stores. But every time, the Macs are poorly maintained, ignored by staff and often outright abandoned. Sales people will often steer customers AWAY from Macs, in part because Apple, unlike for example HP, does not pay additional commission on their products, beyond what the store might pay. Further, the sales people are often happier to sell PCs which are more familiar, have a greater range of handy compatible up-sell items and can be more-easily shackled with the store's in-house extended warranty (the highest-profit item the store sells). So to make an impression under these circumstances would be to sacrifice everything that makes Macs different.
As for the foreign markets, the countries you mentioned (notably China) are often going their own route. The Chinese government has developed its own Linux distribution and office suite and is working with Chinese companies to create ultra-low-cost reference platforms, in addition to China-specific standards; for example, they are working on an HD disc that's totally incompatible with Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. In all cases, the goals are extremes in low-cost systems and a push towards things developed in-house. I don't think Apple could penetrate that curtain.
Interesting read, Apple certainly didn't let Microsoft win the market, Microsoft has the market because they are a better business with a better operating system. Microsoft has always invested in Apple - there is unfortunalty no way for Apple to win. Apple users have the wrong attitude!!! Its actually quite odd you know, I mean its like Mac users are part of a little cult. People want things to feel like there own.
20 reasons why PC are better then Mac
1 2 3 Next