Growth rate of Apple switchers may rise
updated 02:55 pm EST, Mon December 11, 2006
Growth rate of switchers
New research suggests that the number of new users to the Mac platform is expected to continue rising. Research collected from 20 Apple specialist stores by research firm Piper Jaffray reveals that 25 percent of customers are purchasing Macs for the first time, and that this number is expected to continue rising as a result of the theorized iPod 'halo effect' as well as the popularity of Apple's Boot Camp software. Comparatively, Apple stated that 50 percent of customers who purchased Macs in its own chain of retail stores were 'switchers' who had never used a Mac before. The research firm also expects an increase in general Mac sales, with iPod stock in the run up to the holiday season revealing solid stock at specialist stores. Those stores that were missing the iPod shuffle and iPod nano over the last several weeks are now reporting that both models are in stock.
Mac Elite
Joined: Oct 1999
Maybe not all Halo
I think the Halo effect is playing a role, but I also tend to think that if it were not for Apple's retail putting the product on display with knowledgeable sales people folks would just as easy buy a PC. Even if a person doesn't buy an Apple at an Apple Store, they can touch, play, and wonder. I guess the point is that Apple doesn't have all of it's eggs in one basket.