Mac demand to stay strong during downturn
updated 02:25 pm EDT, Wed March 26, 2008
Mac demand
Although the U.S. economic slowdown has led to a pullback in PC spending by both consumers and corporations, planned purchases of Apple computers remain relatively strong, even in the slower buying environment according to a new study by ChangeWave research. Apple is the leader among consumers who plan to buy a laptop (31 percent) over the next 90 day. Similarly, Apple planned desktop computer purchases (28 percent; down 1 point) are close to record levels. The study also finds that Apple continues to set the standard for customer satisfaction among corporate respondents who use the Leopard operating system – with 53 percent saying they are Very Satisfied with the software. In comparison, Windows XP Pro has a 40 percent Very Satisfied rating and Microsoft Vista Business achieved just 8 percent.
Meanwhile, Apple's consumer market share is up more than 50 percent from a year earlier. Moreover, corporate Mac purchases are also near record highs, with laptops (7%) unchanged from previously and desktops (6%) down just 1 point.
On the corporate side, a February ChangeWave survey found planned PC purchases also slowing sharply, with just 73% of 2,204 respondents reporting their company plans on buying laptops in the next quarter – down 4-pts from a year ago. The same pattern was also seen for corporate desktops (70%), with planned purchases down 5-pts to a 12-month low.
8 percent!!!??!
03/26, 03:05pm reply
The wow IS now!
Flying Meat
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Joined: Jan 2007
what 'fanboys' have been
03/27, 10:54am reply
saying all along... AAPL's price is irrationally 'disexuberant' because of general worries about the economy, yet many of us remain bullish that Apple products will continue to enjoy relatively strong demand compared to other high-tech products. I picked up 40 shares @ $130 and I'm optimistic before year's end we'll be back up near $200.
BTW, now that Apple is up to 8% we're sure to see an outbreak of Mac viruses... right, PC fanboys?
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
erm...
03/27, 11:22am reply
"...corporate respondents who use the Leopard operating system – with 53 percent saying they are Very Satisfied with the software. In comparison, Windows XP Pro has a 40 percent Very Satisfied rating and Microsoft Vista Business achieved just 8 percent."
Flying Meat
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Joined: Jan 2007
downturn?
03/27, 12:25pm reply
So, maybe this whole downturn is media hype and less people are buying PC's simply because they 1) don't need them because their 8 year old OS (XP) runs just fine on what they have. 2) are buying macs...
I refuse to participate in an economic slowdown. If you want to do your part in heading off an economic slowdown, get off the computer and go spend some money...
jameshays
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Joined: Mar 2003
MS Had a hand in this
03/28, 01:37am reply
It could be MS's lack luster offering Vista contributing to this. Yet another stillborn effort by the good folks that brought you Microsoft Bob.
Yeah, Apple will be fine. They've got their footing now and are seemingly h*** bent to get people thinking that there has to be something better than windows. As expected, Windows converts often become the biggest Mac supporters. Its out of gratitude mostly, like someone telling you that a ride is much better without square tires.
Cap this off with a salesman as a CEO--Ballmer--and there you have it, Apple's future success. Apple only has to worry if Big Redmond's corporate culture changes and they make an OS that isn't out to s**** the user. Fortunately, Ballmer has a few good years in him, by then Mac's market share should be in the twentieth percentile or so.
Monde
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